What Size Should a Passport Photo Be in Pakistan?
Pakistani passport and CNIC photos generally follow a 35mm x 45mm format (roughly 1.4 x 1.8 inches), with the face taking up 70-80% of the frame, a plain light background, and a neutral expression. Different departments (NADRA, passport office, visa applications) can have slightly different requirements, so always check the specific size before submitting.
Step-by-Step: Creating a Passport Photo in Photoshop
- Open your photo in Photoshop and use the Crop Tool with a custom size (35mm x 45mm at 300 DPI) to set the exact passport dimensions.
- Use the Ruler Tool or grid guides to make sure the eyes are level and the head is centered.
- Select the background with the Quick Selection or Magic Wand tool and replace it with plain white or light blue as required.
- Lightly adjust brightness, contrast, and skin tone using Levels or Curves so the photo looks natural, not over-edited.
- Save the final image as a high-resolution JPEG, and optionally create a 4x6 inch print sheet with multiple copies for the studio.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a busy or shadowed background instead of plain white or light blue.
- Over-smoothing skin or applying heavy filters, which can cause rejection at NADRA or passport offices.
- Using the wrong DPI setting, which leads to blurry prints.
- Submitting a tilted head or off-center framing.
