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How to Remove Background Passport Photo: Complete Guide

By Clara Knight · Published on October 28, 2024

Passports play an essential role in international travel, but often the photo requirements can be stringent. A key challenge is ensuring that your passport photo meets the necessary criteria, which often includes having a clean and uniform background. This guide will teach you how to remove background passport photo effectively, using different tools and techniques. Whether you’re applying for a new passport or updating an existing one, mastering this skill will ensure your photo is compliant with global standards, saving you time and hassle.

Things to Note for Making a Perfect Passport Photo

Creating the perfect passport photo involves several critical considerations to ensure it meets the required specifications. Here are some essential tips and guidelines to follow:

remove background passport photo

Background: Use a plain, light-colored background—typically white or off-white. This helps to avoid any distractions and ensures that the focus remains on your face. Background removal tools can help adjust your photo if the initial background isn’t suitable.

Lighting: Proper lighting is crucial. The photo should be well-lit with no harsh shadows or overexposure. Natural light is preferred, but if that’s not available, ensure even artificial lighting without bright spots.

Facial Expression: Keep a neutral expression with both eyes open and directed towards the camera. Smiling, frowning, or any other expressive faces might cause your photo to be rejected. This neutrality ensures a clear and appropriate representation for identification purposes.

Dress Code: Wear clothes that contrast with the background. Stick to simple designs and avoid white if your background is white. Refrain from wearing uniforms, hats, or any head coverings unless they are for religious or medical reasons.

Photo Quality and Size: The photo must be in color and printed on high-quality photo paper. The standard size for a passport photo is usually 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), but this can vary by country, so it’s important to check the specific requirements for your application.

Accessories and Glasses: If you wear glasses, make sure there’s no glare on the lenses and your eyes can be clearly seen. It’s often recommended to remove glasses to avoid any issues. All accessories that can obscure the face should be avoided.

Editing and Compliance: If editing is necessary, it should be minimal and maintain the natural appearance of your face and features. Tools like Erase.bg, Adobe Photoshop, and Canva offer features specifically for ensuring passport photos meet government standards by adjusting backgrounds and photo dimensions effectively.

Passport Photo Requirements for US & European

Passport photo requirements in the U.S. and European countries are similar in many respects but can vary slightly in specifics such as size. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements you should be aware of:

United States Passport Photo Requirements:

Size: Each photo must measure precisely 2 inches by 2 inches.
Background: Must be plain white or off-white, free from patterns or other markings.
Head size and position: The head must be sized between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. The person must be directly facing the camera.
Facial expression: Must be neutral with both eyes open, no smiling.
Clothing: No uniforms, camouflage, or clothes that resemble the background. Everyday clothing is recommended.
Glasses: Photos with glasses are allowed if there is no glare on the lenses. However, tinted glasses and sunglasses are prohibited.
Photo quality: Must be in color, printed on matte or glossy photo paper, and must not have any digital alterations or retouching.

European Passport Photo Requirements:

Size: Commonly required to be 35mm x 45mm, though this can vary by country.
Background: Must be plain, with light grey, cream, or white commonly preferred to ensure sufficient contrast with the subject.
Head size and position: The head must take up 70-80% of the photo’s height, with the person facing straight towards the camera.
Facial expression: Neutral expression required, with the person directly looking at the camera.
Clothing: Head coverings are not allowed except for religious reasons. Avoid white or bright-colored clothing that matches the background.
Glasses: Frames must not obscure the eyes, and there should be no reflections from lenses. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are not allowed.
Photo quality: Requires high-resolution images without any visible pixels to make sure that facial features are clearly discernible without shadows or reflections.

Best Passport Photo Background Remover – KleanOut for Photo

If you want to give it a go with an effective solution for your passport or ID photo needs, KleanOut for Photo offers a powerful tool to remove background passport photo requirements. This software allows for easy manipulation of photo backgrounds, whether you need a different color for various international requirements or simply wish to clean up the image for a more professional look. It’s also handy for creating ID photos with customized backgrounds.

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Features

  • Easily swap out the existing background with a new color or scene to meet specific photo requirements.
  • Helps in to removing the background, leaving a transparent or solid color backdrop.
  • Efficiently remove other people from the photo, perfect for when you need a clean image without distractions.
  • Try KleanOut for Photo with a free trial to explore its capabilities before committing to a purchase.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Download and install KleanOut for Photo on your computer. Open the application and select the “ID Photo Maker” option from the main interface.

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  2. Import the photo you wish to use for your ID. The software automatically removes the background.

    import your image to make id photo
  3. If you need specific modifications, you can select from various modes to customize the background as needed.

    select size for id photo
  4. Once you’re satisfied with the changes, save the edited photo to your device, ready for use in your passport or ID application.

    export id photo

Final Words

Now that we’ve explored the capabilities of FliFlik KleanOut for Photo, it’s clear that this tool is a top choice for those needing to remove background passport photo effectively. With features that allow for changing backgrounds, removing unwanted elements, and even offering a free trial, KleanOut for Photo stands out as a reliable and versatile solution for your photo editing needs. I highly recommend giving it a try for professional-quality results.

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Clara Knight

Hey there! I'm Clara Knight, and I'm passionate about using AI to streamline my workflow in the image watermark removal industry. So excited to empower users with clear guides and insights to conquer those pesky watermarks. Let's unleash the power of AI for watermark-free visuals!

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