Brazil Passport Photo Requirements & Guidelines

Brazil's Polícia Federal applies some of the firmest passport photo rules anywhere: glasses are banned with no exceptions, and any digital alteration — even red-eye removal — is forbidden. Add the unusual 5 × 7 cm size and it is easy to see why so many photos get rejected.

This guide breaks down every current Brazil passport photo rule for 2026 — the 5 × 7 cm (50 × 70 mm) size, the white background, and the strict no-glasses and no-editing standards set by the Polícia Federal (PF).

Brazil Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance

Here are the core specifications set by the Polícia Federal for the Brazil passport photo:

Get any one of these wrong and the photo can be rejected, so it is worth checking each before you submit.

Passport Photo Dimensions and Head Position Rules

Exact Passport Size Photo Dimensions

The finished photo must be 5 × 7 cm (50 × 70 mm) in a portrait format — the same size Canada uses, but larger than the 35 × 45 mm common across Europe. Always work to this exact size.

Head Size, Placement, and Photo Measurement

Your head must be centred and take up a clear, consistent portion of the frame, with your face squared to the camera and the top of your shoulders visible. Do not tilt or turn your head.

Getting the size and crop exactly right by hand is where most people slip up. The simplest fix is to create your Brazil passport photo with a tool that crops and resizes to the exact official spec automatically.

Background Requirements

Acceptable backgrounds

The Polícia Federal requires a plain white background with no shadows. Stand a short distance in front of a clean white wall and light it evenly so nothing falls behind you.

Common background mistakes

• Off-white, grey, or coloured walls
• Shadows falling behind the head or shoulders
• Other people, furniture, or objects in the frame
• Uneven lighting that darkens one side of the background

Pose, Expression, and Lighting Rules

Expression and eyes

Your expression must be completely neutral with your mouth closed and both eyes open, looking directly at the camera. No smiling or head tilt.

Lighting

Use even, front-facing light so there are no shadows on your face or background. Keep your hair clear of your eyes and make sure both edges of your face are visible.

The No-Glasses and No-Editing Rules

Glasses are banned

Glasses are strictly prohibited — a firm rule with no exceptions. Remove all eyewear, including prescription glasses, before the photo is taken.

No digital alteration

Any form of digital alteration is forbidden, including red-eye removal and any retouching of facial features. The photo must be a true, unedited likeness — standard background correction and cropping to size are fine, but changing your appearance is not.

Head Coverings and Other Restrictions

Head coverings

Head coverings are not permitted except for documented religious reasons, and even then the full face must be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead.

Other restrictions

No hats, headphones, or visible wireless devices. The photo must be recent and accurately represent how you look now.

Digital vs. Printed Passport Photo Specifications

Printed photo

For counter applications, bring a recent 5 × 7 cm colour print on photo-quality paper with a plain white background and the correct head position.

Digital photo

Where a digital photo is captured or uploaded, the same rules apply — 5 × 7 cm proportions, a white background, a neutral expression, no glasses, and no editing. Only the delivery format changes.

Top Reasons Brazil Passport Photos Get Rejected

• Glasses left on — banned with no exceptions
• Any editing or retouching, including red-eye removal
• Wrong size — not the required 5 × 7 cm
• Non-white background or shadows behind the head
• Smiling or a non-neutral expression
• Head tilted or turned rather than straight to camera
• Old photos taken more than six months ago

How to Meet Brazil's Passport Picture Requirements at Home

1. Stand 2–3 feet from a plain white wall in even light, with no shadows behind you.
2. Have someone photograph you at eye level from about 4 feet away, or use a tripod and timer.
3. Face the camera directly with a completely neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, and no glasses.
4. Shoot in colour at the highest resolution your phone or camera allows.
5. Upload it to a tool that sets a white background and crops to the exact 5 × 7 cm size — without any retouching of your face.
6. Download the print-ready file for the counter, or a high-resolution version for digital use.

Beyond Brazil: Other Countries' Requirements

Specifications differ widely between countries — Brazil's 5 × 7 cm size matches Canada, while the US uses a 2 × 2 inch square and Europe a 35 × 45 mm photo. If you travel or apply internationally, you can check the rules and generate a compliant photo using our passport photo tool for 150+ countries.

Conclusion

A compliant Brazil passport photo comes down to three things: the exact 5 × 7 cm size, a plain white background with no shadows, and a neutral, glasses-free, unedited photo taken within the last six months. Nail those and you avoid the most common rejection reasons.