Iraq Passport Photo

Iraq Passport Photo -- Complete Guide

Iraq's passport system is administered by the Directorate of Nationality and Passports (Mudiriyyat al-Jinsiyya wal-Jawazat), operating under the Ministry of Interior. The directorate manages passport issuance from its central offices in Baghdad and branches in every Iraqi governorate. Iraq launched its biometric passport (jawaz safar bayometri) in 2015, replacing the older Series S passport with an ICAO-compliant document containing biometric data. The transition has meant stricter photo enforcement -- the biometric system digitally scans and stores your face, and a non-compliant photo halts the application immediately.

Requirements are consistent with specifications published through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Directorate of Nationality and Passports. These apply to all Iraqi passport applications -- Series A (biometric), diplomatic, service, and the still-circulating older series. Iraqi nationals in the Kurdistan Region can also apply through KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) passport offices, which follow the same federal photo specifications.

Official Photo Requirements

Physical dimensions:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height: 25-35 mm from chin to crown
• Face centered horizontally in the frame

Digital specifications:

• Format: JPEG
• Minimum resolution: 600 x 600 pixels
• File size: under 5 MB
• Full-colour photo

Background and lighting:

• White or off-white background -- plain and uniform
• No shadows on the background or face
• Even, balanced lighting from the front
• Natural skin tones -- no colour correction or digital enhancement

Expression and pose:

• Neutral expression, both eyes open, mouth closed
• Face squarely facing the camera with no head tilt
• Full face visible from hairline to chin and ear to ear

Clothing and accessories:

• Glasses are permitted only if completely clear with no glare and the frames do not obscure the eyes. Removing glasses is strongly recommended
• Hijab is permitted for women; the full face must be visible from the hairline to the chin
• Men: no keffiyeh, shemagh, or traditional headwear in passport photos
• No military uniforms or insignia -- civilian clothing only
• No sunglasses or tinted lenses

Recency: Must be taken within the last 6 months and reflect current appearance.

Biometric Passport Application Process

Baghdad central office: The main Directorate of Nationality and Passports office in Baghdad's Rusafa district handles the largest volume of applications. The office has biometric capture stations where fingerprints, iris scans, and a digital photo are recorded. For in-person applications at the Baghdad central office, your photo is typically captured on-site, but you must still bring printed photos for the file.

Governorate branch offices: Every Iraqi governorate -- Basra, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, Mosul (Nineveh), Kirkuk, Najaf, Karbala, and others -- has a passport office. These branches process biometric passport applications with the same requirements. Wait times vary significantly; offices in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah tend to be more organized due to KRG administrative systems.

KRG passport offices: The Kurdistan Regional Government operates parallel passport offices in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok. These issue the same federal Iraqi biometric passport (not a separate KRG passport). Photo specifications are identical.

Iraqi missions abroad: Embassies and consulates listed on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website in Amman, Istanbul, Tehran, Washington DC, London, Berlin, Stockholm, and other cities process passport applications. You must bring printed 35x45mm photos -- typically 6 copies. Processing from abroad takes 4-12 weeks depending on the mission.

How to Take Your Iraqi Passport Photo at Home

Camera setup: Use a smartphone with a decent rear camera. Place it at eye level on a tripod, shelf, or stack of books. Stand approximately 1.2 metres from the camera. Use the timer or have a family member take the photo.

Background: A white or off-white wall works. Iraq accepts slightly off-white backgrounds, which is more forgiving than many countries, but pure white is the safest choice. If your wall has visible tile work, texture, or colour, hang a white sheet or large piece of white cardboard behind you. Stand 15-20 cm away to avoid casting shadows.

Lighting: Iraq's strong natural sunlight is excellent for passport photos when diffused. Stand facing a window in the morning hours. Avoid shooting during the midday sun, which creates harsh, high-contrast shadows. If using artificial light, position two lamps at 45-degree angles. Avoid relying on a single ceiling light.

For women wearing hijab: Ensure the hijab does not blend into the white background if it is white or very light-coloured. The edges of the hijab should be distinguishable from the background. The face from the hairline to the chin must be fully visible with no fabric overlapping onto the forehead or cheeks.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Iraq

• Photo studios near the Baghdad central office (Rusafa) -- IQD 5,000-10,000 for a set of 6 photos. Numerous studios operate within walking distance. They know the exact specifications and produce photos specifically calibrated for the biometric system.
• Photo studios in Erbil (Ainkawa, near passport office) -- IQD 5,000-7,000. Studios in the Ainkawa area and near the KRG passport office in Erbil specialize in passport photos.
• Photo studios in Sulaymaniyah -- IQD 3,000-5,000. Available near the passport directorate and in the Salim Street commercial area.
• Photo studios in Basra -- IQD 5,000-8,000. Studios near the governorate passport office on Corniche Street.
• Al-Mansour / Karada studios (Baghdad) -- IQD 7,000-15,000. Professional studios in these upscale Baghdad neighbourhoods offer higher quality prints and digital copies.
• Internet cafes -- IQD 2,000-5,000. Some internet cafes in major cities offer basic photo printing. Quality can be inconsistent.

Budget tip: Prepare your photo with an online passport photo tool, then print at any studio or printing shop. A 4x6 print in Baghdad costs IQD 1,000-2,000, and you can fit four 35x45mm photos on one sheet.

Iraqi National ID Card (Bitaqat al-Hawiyya al-Wataniyya)

Iraq introduced the Unified National ID Card in 2016 to replace the separate nationality certificate and civil status ID. The new national ID uses biometric data and requires a 35x45mm photo with the same specifications as the passport. Photos for the national ID are captured live at the Directorate of Civil Affairs offices -- you cannot bring your own. However, having a compliant photo ready helps if there are equipment issues at the office.

Common Rejection Reasons

1. Glasses with glare -- If you keep glasses on, any lens reflection causes rejection. The safest approach is to remove all eyewear.
2. Background shadows -- Standing too close to the wall or using overhead-only lighting creates shadows that fail biometric screening.
3. Headwear (men) -- Keffiyeh, shemagh, and other traditional male headwear must be removed. This is a consistent federal requirement applied across all governorates.
4. Wrong dimensions -- Submitting 2x2 inch (US format) or 3x4cm photos instead of 35x45mm.
5. Digital edits detected -- Beauty filters, skin smoothing, and background replacement are flagged by the biometric system.
6. Photo too old -- Must be taken within 6 months. If your appearance has changed substantially, a new photo is required regardless of the date.

Baby and Child Passport Photos (Suwar Jawaz al-Atfal)

The Directorate of Nationality and Passports processes biometric passport applications for Iraqi children, including newborns. Printed photos are required for the application file at all ages.

Infants under 12 months (rudi'a): Lay the baby face-up on a white or off-white sheet and photograph from directly above. Both the Baghdad central office and KRG offices in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah accept photos of sleeping or partially closed-eyed infants under 6 months. No pacifiers (luhaya), toys, or coloured blankets. A parent may support the baby's head, but their hand must be covered by the sheet and invisible in the photo. Bring 6 identical prints -- the same quantity required for adult applications.

Children aged 1 to 5: Eyes open, looking at the camera, neutral expression. The child may sit in a parent's lap at the biometric capture station, with the parent positioned behind. For printed photos, seat the child in a small chair with a white wall or draped sheet behind them. Studios near the Baghdad Rusafa office and the Erbil Ainkawa passport office have child seats and experience photographing toddlers.

Children aged 6 and above: Full adult rules apply, including the prohibition on keffiyeh and shemagh for boys.

At Iraqi missions abroad: Consulates require 6 printed 35x45mm photos for child applications, just as for adults. The white-sheet method is the standard approach for infant photos. If using a studio abroad, specify "suwar jawaz iraaqi, khamsa wa thalatheen fi khamsa wa arba'een" (Iraqi passport photos, 35 by 45) to ensure correct dimensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Iraqi biometric passport the same in all governorates? A: Yes. The biometric passport (Series A) is a federal document issued through the Directorate of Nationality and Passports. Whether you apply in Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, or any other governorate, the passport specifications and photo requirements are identical.

Q: Can I wear a keffiyeh or shemagh in my Iraqi passport photo? A: No. Traditional male headwear must be removed for passport photos. This applies across all Iraqi governorates, including the Kurdistan Region.

Q: How many photos do I need for an Iraqi passport application? A: Bring 6 identical 35x45mm photos. The directorate will use some for the file and you may need extras for associated paperwork. Applications at consulates abroad also typically require 6 photos.

Q: Can I apply for a passport at a KRG office? A: Yes. KRG passport offices in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok issue the same federal Iraqi biometric passport. Photo specifications are identical to those at federal offices.

Q: How long does passport processing take in Iraq? A: Standard processing in Baghdad takes 2-4 weeks. Processing times in other governorates vary from 1-6 weeks depending on the office's workload. Express processing (24-72 hours) is available in Baghdad and Erbil for an additional fee. Applications through Iraqi missions abroad take 4-12 weeks.

Q: Can I keep my glasses on if they are clear and have no glare? A: Technically yes, but it is risky. Even minor reflections that are invisible to the eye can be detected by the biometric scanner. Removing glasses eliminates this risk entirely.