Albania passport photo size & requirements
Albanian biometric passport photos are 35 x 45 mm with a plain white or light-grey background and the face filling 70–80% of the frame.
Albania adopted the ICAO biometric passport standard in 2009, and the current e-passport is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs through the National Civil Status Service (GJENDJA CIVILE). The photo format — 35 x 45 mm with the face filling 70–80% of the frame — follows the standard EU biometric specification. Albanian passport photos must meet the same technical quality as those required for EU member states, since Albania is an EU candidate country and its travel documents are aligned with Schengen technical norms.
One important practical detail for Albanian applicants: photos are typically submitted in person at the local civil registration office (zyra e gjendjes civile). While the technical specs are the same as most European countries, Albanian processing offices have been known to apply extra scrutiny to photos taken at home, particularly regarding background uniformity and shadow control. A photo taken in a professional studio or at a compliant photo booth is the safest choice.
- Photo size
- 35 x 45 mm
- Resolution
- 300 DPI
- Head height
- Face from chin to crown should fill 70–80% of the frame
- Background
- Plain white or light grey
Albania passport photo requirements
- Photo must be 35 x 45 mm, in line with Albanian biometric identity document requirements.
- Plain white or light-grey background with no shadows or visible patterns.
- Full front view of the face with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
- Head centred vertically and horizontally, filling 70–80% of the photo height.
- No sunglasses, tinted contact lenses, or accessories that change facial appearance.
- No hats or head coverings, except for religious reasons where the full face must remain visible.
- Recent photo taken within the last six months with natural, even lighting.
Common reasons Albania passport photos get rejected
Even a technically correct photo can be turned away for these issues. They come up repeatedly in official rejection notices.
- Shadow on the face or background — offices in Albania frequently reject photos with any visible shadow gradient, including subtle shadows from overhead lighting.
- Background not uniformly white or light grey — a slightly textured wall or off-white background is among the most common reasons home photos are turned away.
- Head not centred or slightly tilted — Albanian civil registry officers check for facial alignment manually and will request a retake for noticeable tilt.
- Photo not taken within the last six months — Albanian officials check current appearance against the photo, and a significant change in hairstyle or facial hair can trigger a request for a new photo.
- Photo printed on plain paper rather than photographic paper — matte or glossy photo paper is required; inkjet prints on standard paper are rejected.
Make your Albania passport photo
Use our free passport size photo maker — select Albania from the country list and it will automatically apply the correct size (35 x 45 mm) and background settings for you.
Crop, remove background, and download a compliant Albania passport photo — free, no signup, no watermark.
Select Albania in the tool to get the exact 35 x 45 mm preset.
Other countries
United States 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) 
Australia 35 x 45 mm 
Brazil 3 x 4 cm (30 x 40 mm); US visa applications use 2 x 2 in 
Canada 50 x 70 mm 
China 33 x 48 mm 
France 35 x 45 mm 
Germany 35 x 45 mm 
Iceland 35 x 45 mm 
India 35 x 45 mm (Indian visa & many applications use 51 x 51 mm / 2 x 2 in) 
Ireland 35 x 45 mm 
Italy 35 x 45 mm 
Japan 35 x 45 mm 
Luxembourg 35 x 45 mm 
Malaysia 35 x 50 mm 
Netherlands 35 x 45 mm 
New Zealand 35 x 45 mm 
Nigeria 35 x 45 mm 
Norway 35 x 45 mm 
Pakistan 35 x 45 mm 
Philippines 35 x 45 mm (Philippine visa applications often use 2 x 2 in) 
Russia 35 x 45 mm 
Saudi Arabia 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) 
Schengen / EU 35 x 45 mm 
Singapore 35 x 45 mm 
South Africa 35 x 45 mm 
South Korea 35 x 45 mm 
Spain 32 x 26 mm (Spanish ID/passport); EU visas use 35 x 45 mm 
Switzerland 35 x 45 mm 
Thailand 35 x 45 mm 
Turkey 50 x 60 mm 
United Arab Emirates 43 x 55 mm 
United Kingdom 35 x 45 mm 
Vietnam 4 x 6 cm (40 x 60 mm)