Turkey requires passport photos measuring 50×60 millimeters (approximately 1.97×2.36 inches). At standard 300 DPI, this translates to 591×709 pixels. These specifications are set by the Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü (Population and Citizenship Affairs) and apply to all Turkish passport applications.
The 50×60mm format is significantly larger than most countries. This is one of the widest passport photo sizes worldwide, differing substantially from the European 35×45mm standard and the US 51×51mm square format.
Why Does Turkey Use 50×60mm Passport Photos?
The Turkish government selected 50×60mm to accommodate their specific biometric passport system. The larger size provides additional facial detail for the embedded chip and machine-readable data, which Turkey considers important for security and identification purposes.
Your photo must display your face clearly with adequate surrounding space for the embedded chip and machine-readable text. Getting this right from the start prevents processing delays.
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Turkish Passport Photo Digital Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Width | 50mm / 1.97 inches / 591px |
| Height | 60mm / 2.36 inches / 709px |
| Aspect Ratio | 5:6 |
| Minimum DPI | 300 |
| Color Space | RGB |
| File Format | JPEG |
Verify these exact dimensions in your photo editing software. The 5:6 aspect ratio differs from most other countries — always verify and adjust manually.
Head Height Rules for Turkish Passport Photos
Turkey requires head height to occupy 60-80% of the photo's vertical space:
- Too small (under 60%): Insufficient facial detail for biometric algorithms
- Too large (over 80%): Face extends too close to edges; may appear cropped incorrectly
Target 70-75% for optimal positioning within the acceptable range.
Glasses and Appearance Rules for Turkish Passport Photos
Turkey does not allow glasses in passport photos. This applies to prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, tinted lenses, and clear non-prescription frames. Remove all eyewear before the photo is taken. There is no medical exemption.
Expression must be neutral with mouth closed. No smiling, laughing, frowning, or raised eyebrows. Your face should be relaxed and natural. Both eyes must be open and clearly visible, looking directly at the camera.
Hair must not cover your forehead, eyebrows, or eyes. Long hair should be tucked behind the ears or tied back so the full face is visible.
Religious head coverings are permitted in Turkish passport photos. Women who wear a başörtüsü (headscarf) may keep it on, provided it does not cast shadows on the face and leaves the entire face visible from chin to forehead. Men are photographed without head coverings unless worn for religious reasons.
Heavy makeup, filters, or digital retouching that changes your natural appearance will result in rejection. The photo must look like you in person.
Turkish Passport Photo Size vs Other Countries
| Country | Print Size | Pixels (300 DPI) | Head Height | Background | Glasses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 50×60mm | 591×709 | 60–80% | White | ❌ Banned |
| Saudi Arabia | 40×60mm | 472×709 | 60–80% | White | ❌ Banned |
| Germany | 35×45mm | 413×531 | 60–80% | Light grey | ✅ Conditional |
| France | 35×45mm | 413×531 | 60–80% | White | ❌ Banned |
| United States | 51×51mm | 600×600 | 50–69% | White | ❌ Banned |
| Brazil | 50×70mm | 591×827 | 60–80% | White | ❌ Banned |
Turkey's 50mm width matches Brazil's and Canada's, but Turkey's height is 60mm versus their 70mm. Saudi Arabia shares the same 60mm height but at a narrower 40mm width. European Schengen countries (Germany, France, etc.) use the much smaller 35×45mm — photos taken for Schengen visas will not work for Turkish passports.
Common Turkish Passport Photo Sizing Mistakes
These errors frequently cause Turkish passport photo rejections:
Using 35×45mm European photos. The most common mistake for Turkish citizens living in or traveling through Europe. Schengen-format photos are far too small for Turkish requirements.
Wrong aspect ratio. Turkey's 5:6 ratio differs from the 7:9 used by most European countries and the 1:1 used by the US. Crop to 5:6 before resizing to 591×709px.
Low-resolution source images. Enlarging a small photo creates blurriness and pixelation. Always capture at the highest resolution your camera supports, then crop down.
Outdated photos. Photos should be taken within the last six months. Photos that no longer resemble your current appearance will be rejected.
Head too small in frame. The large 50×60mm format provides generous space. Ensure your head still fills at least 60% of the vertical frame — don't let the extra room push your face too far from the camera.
Shadows from headscarf. If you wear a başörtüsü, ensure soft front lighting eliminates any shadows along the jawline or forehead.
Where to Get Correctly Sized Turkish Passport Photos
Nüfus Müdürlüğü offices. Population and Citizenship Affairs offices in Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, and other cities have official photo services. Staff know the exact 50×60mm specification. Cost is typically ₺ 50–100 for a set of prints.
Professional photography studios (fotoğrafçı). Studios near government offices and busy commercial districts handle high volumes of passport photos and are reliable for correct dimensions. Prices range from ₺ 75–200 depending on prints and digital file.
Shopping mall photo services. Photo kiosks and counters in malls (Kanyon, İstinye Park, Vadistanbul in Istanbul, Ankamall in Ankara) offer passport photo services. Prices typically ₺ 40–100. Always verify the output is 50×60mm before accepting prints.
Turkish citizens abroad. Turkish consulates can direct you to approved local photo services. In cities with large Turkish diaspora communities — Berlin, London, Rotterdam, Paris, New York — studios near the consulate are often experienced with the 50×60mm format. Always confirm dimensions before paying; many overseas studios default to the smaller 35×45mm European size.
DIY at home. Stand against a plain white wall in a well-lit room. Use soft, diffused natural light from a window. Shoot at the highest resolution your camera allows, at chest height, and crop to exactly 591×709 pixels at 300 DPI. Position your head to fill 70–75% of the vertical frame. Check the result carefully before printing or uploading.
Turkish Passport Photo Digital Upload Requirements
When applying through Turkey's e-Devlet (e-Government) portal or the Nüfus online system, your digital photo must meet:
- File format: JPEG
- Dimensions: 591×709 pixels minimum
- File size: Typically under 2MB
- Background: Pure white, no shadows or gradients
- Colour space: sRGB
Ensure your photo is not over-compressed. Heavy JPEG compression creates visible artefacts around the face and hairline, which may trigger automated rejection.
Turkish Passport Photo Size for Babies and Children
Infants and young children must meet the same 50×60mm size requirement, with some practical allowances:
Newborns and infants (under 1). Lay the baby on a plain white sheet and photograph from directly above. Eyes should ideally be open, though some leniency is given for very young infants. No toys, pacifiers, hands, or other objects in the frame.
Toddlers (1–5). Use a car seat or high chair against a white background. An assistant can hold the child's attention with a toy above the camera lens — the toy must not appear in the photo. The child's face must fill 60–80% of the frame.
Children's passports in Turkey have shorter validity than adult passports. Photos must reflect the child's current appearance. Examiners are slightly more lenient with infant head proportions, but the photo must still be usable for identification.
Matching Turkish Passport Photo Size with Other Rules
Your 50×60mm photo must also satisfy:
- Background: Pure white (#FFFFFF) with no gradients or patterns
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, no smiling
- Glasses: Not permitted
- Appearance: Natural, no retouching or filters
- Recency: Taken within the last six months
Get the size right first — proper dimensions and head positioning are the foundation for acceptance. Then verify background, expression, and appearance rules.
Need to verify all Turkish requirements? Our passport photo checker analyzes your image against Population and Citizenship Affairs standards.
For complete background requirements to accompany these dimensions, read our guide to Turkey passport photo background. And if you're a Turkish citizen traveling abroad, our Turkey travel requirements page has all the details.
