Lebanon Passport Photo

Lebanon Passport Photo -- General Security Directorate Specifications

Lebanon's Al-Amn al-Aam (الأمن العام -- General Security Directorate) controls passport issuance, operating from its headquarters in Beirut and through offices in Tripoli, Sidon, Zahle, and Jounieh. Since Lebanon introduced its biometric passport in 2016, photo enforcement has intensified significantly. The General Security Directorate processes approximately 500,000 passport applications annually -- a number that surged during the 2019-2023 period as Lebanese citizens sought new travel documents amid the country's economic crisis. Wait times at the Beirut headquarters have at times exceeded 6 hours, making photo rejection especially costly in terms of lost time.

Requirements are referenced through general-security.gov.lb, though detailed photo specifications are typically posted at the physical offices and on the General Security social media channels in Arabic. The same photo specs apply to Lebanese laissez-passer documents and to the identity card (hawiyye / بطاقة هوية) administered by the Directorate General of Personal Status.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height from chin to crown: 28-35 mm
• Face centered, with even margins on both sides
• Eyes positioned in the upper third of the frame

Background:

• Strictly white -- no off-white, no cream, no light grey
• Uniform, shadow-free, with no texture or patterns
• The General Security biometric scanner is calibrated for pure white; any background color deviation adds processing delays

Expression and pose:

• Neutral expression, mouth closed, no smile
• Both eyes open and focused on the camera lens
• Face directly frontal with no tilt, turn, or angle
• Full face visible from the hairline to the bottom of the chin, ear to ear

Print quality:

• Professional photo paper only -- not inkjet prints on office paper
• Matte or semi-matte finish preferred; glossy is accepted but may cause scanner reflections
• Color photo with natural skin tones
• 300 DPI minimum resolution

Lebanon-Specific Rules

Glasses: The General Security Directorate strongly discourages glasses in passport photos. While not an absolute prohibition, photos with glasses undergo additional scrutiny and are rejected for any trace of glare, frame shadow, or lens tint. The practical advice is unambiguous: remove all eyewear before your photo session.

Religious head coverings: Lebanon's multi-confessional society means the General Security Directorate accommodates various religious head coverings. Hijab, veil, religious turban, and clerical headwear are all permitted, provided the full face from forehead to chin remains visible and the covering does not cast shadows. No written declaration is required -- Lebanon treats religious head covering as an inherent right.

Ear visibility: Not explicitly mandated. Hair naturally covering the ears is accepted as long as the face contour from cheek to cheek is clearly defined. This differs from countries that require fully exposed ears.

Facial tattoos and modifications: Must be visible as-is. Applicants may not conceal tattoos, birthmarks, or facial markings with makeup or digital editing.

Clothing: The General Security Directorate does not publish specific clothing restrictions beyond prohibiting military or security force uniforms. However, wearing white or very light clothing is inadvisable as it blends with the mandatory white background.

Recency: Photos must be taken within the last 6 months and must represent the applicant's current appearance accurately.

Digital enhancement prohibition: The General Security Directorate does not accept digitally retouched photos. Beauty filters, skin smoothing, jaw reshaping, and AI portrait modifications are all grounds for rejection. The biometric enrollment terminal at the processing centre captures a live scan and compares it against the submitted photo -- digitally enhanced images create detectable discrepancies that trigger manual review and potential rejection.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Lebanon

Beirut: Photo studios are concentrated around the General Security Directorate building in Mathaf (near the National Museum), along Hamra Street, and in Achrafieh. Expect to pay 150,000-400,000 LBP for a set of 4-6 passport photos. Studios immediately outside the General Security building charge premium rates (up to 500,000 LBP) but guarantee compliance and offer retakes at no extra cost. Due to Lebanon's currency fluctuations, some studios also quote in USD -- typically $2-5 for a set.

Tripoli: Studios in the old souk area and near the Al-Amn al-Aam regional office charge 100,000-300,000 LBP (or $2-4 USD equivalent). Quality is generally reliable in established studios.

Sidon and Tyre: Photo services near the government buildings in Sidon's eastern entrance and in Tyre charge 80,000-250,000 LBP. In smaller South Lebanon towns, ask at the local stationery shop (maktaba / مكتبة) as many offer basic photography services.

Zahle and Bekaa Valley: Studios along Boulevard Zahle charge comparable rates to Beirut -- 150,000-350,000 LBP. The Bekaa's ЦОН equivalent is less congested than Beirut, making the overall passport process faster.

Diaspora communities: Lebanese consulates listed on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website in Paris, Montreal, Sydney, Sao Paulo, Lagos, Abidjan, and other cities accept locally-produced photos that meet General Security specifications. Standard local passport photo services in these countries typically produce compliant results at 35x45mm with white backgrounds.

Home photography: With the right setup, a compliant photo can be taken at home. Use a clean white wall or sheet as the backdrop, position yourself 20-30 cm from the surface to avoid shadows, and use front-facing natural light from a window. Avoid flash -- it creates harsh shadows behind the head and can cause skin overexposure. Our tool can validate your photo against General Security specifications before you print.

Baby and Child Photos

General Security Directorate requirements for minors:

• Newborns: Photograph the infant lying on a white surface, face up, shot from directly above. No visible hands, blankets, or pacifiers. The baby must be the sole subject. Partially closed eyes are tolerated for infants under 6 months.
• Children 6 months to 5 years: Both eyes must be open. A calm, natural expression is acceptable. A parent may support the child from behind but must be entirely hidden from the frame. The white background rule is non-negotiable.
• Children 6-14: All adult specifications apply. The General Security Directorate does not publish separate relaxed standards for this age group.
• Children 15-17: Identical to adult requirements.
• For minors under 18, both parents must consent. If one parent is unavailable, a notarized authorization from the absent parent or a court order is required. This is strictly enforced and is a more common cause of application delay than photo issues.

Biometric Enrollment and the 2016 Passport Transition

When Lebanon introduced its biometric passport in 2016, the General Security Directorate deployed facial recognition enrollment terminals at all processing centres. During the application appointment, the terminal captures a live facial scan and compares it against the submitted photo. This comparison serves two purposes: identity verification and photo quality validation. Photos that differ significantly from the live scan -- due to retouching, old age, or digital manipulation -- are flagged for additional review.

The biometric passport chip stores the facial image, fingerprints, and iris data. At international border crossings, automated and semi-automated systems compare travellers against this chip data. A passport photo taken with beauty filters, skin smoothing, or AI enhancement creates a mismatch between the stored image and the live face, potentially causing delays at border control -- particularly at European and North American points of entry that use strict biometric matching.

Common Rejection Reasons

General Security Directorate staff and consular officers report these primary causes of photo rejection:

1. Glasses with glare or tint -- the most frequent individual rejection cause, especially for applicants who keep prescription glasses on despite the strong guidance to remove them
2. Background not pure white -- off-white walls or yellowed studio backdrops that register as cream or warm grey in the photo
3. Shadow behind the head -- common in home-taken photos and studios with single-bulb overhead lighting
4. Over-processed or filtered image -- skin smoothing, whitening filters, and beauty mode are detected during the biometric enrollment scan
5. Head too large or too small -- the 28-35mm chin-to-crown range is moderately strict, and photos taken at incorrect distances fail
6. White clothing merging with background -- especially common during summer months when applicants wear light-colored clothing

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to get a Lebanese passport? A: Processing times vary enormously. During calm periods, standard processing takes 2-4 weeks from submission. During high-demand periods (such as the 2019-2023 crisis surge), waits of 2-6 months were common. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee.

Q: The General Security website is primarily in Arabic -- where can I find requirements in English or French? A: Lebanese consulates abroad typically post requirements in the local language. The General Security Directorate's social media accounts occasionally post bilingual (Arabic/English or Arabic/French) infographics with photo specifications. Consulate websites in francophone countries often have French-language instructions.

Q: Can I wear my hijab in my Lebanese passport photo? A: Yes. Lebanon permits hijab and all religious head coverings without requiring a written declaration. The face must remain fully visible from forehead to chin, and the covering must not create shadows on the face.

Q: Should I quote prices in LBP or USD for photo services? A: Since Lebanon's ongoing currency situation, many businesses -- including photo studios -- accept both LBP and USD. Studios near the General Security building in Beirut increasingly quote in USD for simplicity. Budget $2-5 USD for a standard set of passport photos.

Q: Are Lebanese passport photos the same size as French or EU photos? A: Yes. Lebanon uses the same 35x45mm format as France and most EU/Schengen countries. If you are in Europe, any standard European passport photo service will produce the correct dimensions. Verify the background is pure white rather than light grey.

Q: What if my photo is rejected at the General Security office after hours of waiting? A: Photo studios directly outside the General Security buildings in Beirut, Tripoli, and Sidon offer rapid retake service -- typically 10-15 minutes and 150,000-300,000 LBP. You will need to re-enter the queue, so getting the photo right beforehand is strongly recommended.