Advertising & Corporate Production
Bulk Printing & Nationwide Shipping
Wedding & Event PackagesBiometric Photo Rules: What's the ICAO Standard?
ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Organization) sets a shared standard for passport and ID photos so that facial recognition systems can read them correctly. Most countries, including Turkey, base their passport, driver's license and ID photo requirements on this standard. Here's what to watch for:
Background
The background must be plain white or light grey, with no shadows, patterns or objects. Colored or gradient backgrounds are typically rejected.
Head Position and Size
The face should be centered in the frame, with the distance from chin to crown filling a set proportion of it (commonly around 32–36mm as a reference range). A head that's too small or too large makes the photo non-compliant.
Expression and Gaze
Mouth closed, neutral expression, looking straight at the camera. Smiling, looking sideways or tilting the head are not accepted.
Glasses and Accessories
Sunglasses and tinted lenses are never accepted. Clear glasses may be allowed in some cases, but there must be no glare, and shooting without glasses is generally recommended. Hats or head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical reasons and only if the full face remains visible — it's best to confirm the exact rule with the authority you're applying to.
Lighting and Shadows
No harsh shadows on the face or background; the photo should be sharp and evenly lit.
How We Do It at studyoXu
During the shoot, head size and position are checked live on screen — nothing is printed until you approve it. That keeps the rejection risk at your registry office or passport application as low as possible.