Qatar's passport photo specification, set by the Ministry of Interior, calls for a 38x48mm photo against a plain white background — a size slightly larger than the 35x45mm standard used across much of the Gulf, which trips up applicants who reuse a photo taken for a different country. Because Qatar's e-passport system relies on biometric face matching, even small issues like a shadow from a headscarf or a ghutrah left on for the photo are enough to trigger a rejection at the service center. Whether you're applying through a Department of Passports service center or uploading via Hukoomi, getting the dimensions and background right the first time avoids a repeat visit.
Qatar's biometric face-matching system is stricter about head positioning and background tone than a typical photo app accounts for. Uploading here applies the full 38x48mm specification automatically instead of leaving it to manual guesswork.
Your photo is cropped to the exact 38x48mm Qatar passport frame without manual measuring.
Head height and eye position are aligned to MOI's biometric placement standards automatically.
Output matches 38x48mm exactly, with no stretching or distortion from resizing.
Your background is detected and replaced with a clean, shadow-free white automatically.
Download a print-ready sheet sized for standard photo paper if a physical copy is needed.
Everything happens in the browser — no design software or studio visit needed.
These specifications apply to passport photos submitted through Qatar's Department of Passports and Travel Documents under the Ministry of Interior.
| Photo Size | 38mm x 48mm (3.8 x 4.8 cm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 38mm |
| Height | 48mm |
| Background | Plain white, no shadows or patterns |
| Head Size | Approximately 32-36mm from chin to top of hair |
| Resolution | 300-600 DPI for biometric clarity |
| File Format | JPG or PNG for digital submission |
| Glasses Rules | Glasses should be removed unless required for medical reasons; no glare if worn |
| Expression Rules | Neutral expression, closed mouth, both eyes open and facing forward |
| Photo Age | Taken within the last 6 months and reflecting current appearance |
| Digital Submission Rules | File size limits apply on Metrash2 and Hukoomi; check the current upload cap before submitting |
Qatar's passport services fall under the Ministry of Interior's Department of Passports and Travel Documents, which manages issuance, renewal, and biometric verification for the country's e-passport system. Much of the process now runs through the Metrash2 app and the Hukoomi government portal, where applicants upload their photo digitally ahead of an appointment rather than handing over a printed photo on the day. Because the system runs an automated biometric check on the uploaded file before any appointment is confirmed, a photo that fails the size or background check can stall the booking itself, not just the final approval.
Most applicants start a new passport or renewal request through Metrash2 or Hukoomi, where the photo is uploaded alongside identification documents. Once the digital submission passes the automated checks, applicants are typically directed to a Department of Passports service center for biometric capture, including fingerprints, before the passport is printed. Processing is generally fast by regional standards, often completed within a few working days once the application and photo are both accepted on the first attempt.
Every child, including infants, needs an individual passport photo — no other person may appear in the frame. For babies who can't sit upright, the common method is laying the child on a plain white or off-white sheet and photographing from directly above, or covering a car seat with a white sheet and photographing the child seated in it. Eyes don't need to be fully open for very young infants, but for older children, eyes must be open and clearly visible just as with an adult photo. The same 38x48mm size and white background apply regardless of age.
A passport renewal in Qatar requires a fresh photo rather than reusing the one on file, since the photo must reflect your current appearance and be no older than six months. This matters more than applicants expect if facial hair, weight, or hairstyle has changed meaningfully since the last passport was issued — the biometric system compares the new submission against the photo on record, and a significant mismatch can prompt additional verification steps.
Yes, a phone camera can produce a compliant Qatar passport photo as long as the background, lighting, and framing are controlled carefully.
Use the rear camera at eye level rather than a tilted angle, and turn off any beauty or portrait mode that softens skin texture or blurs background edges.
Face a window with even, indirect daylight. Overhead lighting tends to cast shadows under the chin and around a hijab or headscarf, which the biometric check flags easily.
Stand about one meter from a plain white wall. Off-white, cream, or textured walls are a common reason for rejection even when the photo otherwise looks fine.
Position the camera roughly two meters away so your head and shoulders fill the frame naturally without wide-angle distortion affecting facial proportions.
If a printed copy is needed for a service center visit, use photographic paper rather than a home printer, since standard inkjet paper can make a white background look slightly gray or uneven.
The most frequent at-home errors are forgetting to remove the ghutrah before the photo, a shadow cast by a hijab edge, and using an off-white wall instead of a true white background.
| Requirement | Qatar | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 38mm x 48mm | 2in x 2in (51mm x 51mm) |
| Head Size | ~32-36mm chin to crown | 1in to 1 3/8in chin to crown |
| Background | Plain white | Plain white or off-white |
| Submission Format | Digital upload via Metrash2/Hukoomi, biometric capture in person | Printed photo only for mailed applications |
| Compliance Differences | Stricter on head covering shadows and ghutrah removal | Stricter on head-size proportion within frame |
Choose a recent photo of yourself from your phone or computer using the upload widget above.
The tool automatically crops your photo to the 38x48mm Qatar passport frame and aligns head height.
Your existing background is removed and replaced with a clean, shadow-free white.
A compliance check confirms sizing, head position, and background before you download.
Save the digital file for Metrash2 or Hukoomi upload, or download a print-ready sheet.
A Qatar passport photo measures 38mm by 48mm, which is slightly larger than the 35x45mm size used by many neighboring countries.
Yes, provided the final image is cropped to 38x48mm, shows a plain white background with no shadows, and is sharp enough for biometric processing.
Qatar passport photos should be taken within the last six months and must reflect your current appearance.
Yes. Retouching that removes natural facial features or alters your appearance can cause a rejection, since the photo must represent how you currently look. Tools that only correct sizing and background to meet the official specification are acceptable.
Yes, the ghutrah or shemagh must be removed for a Qatar passport photo regardless of how it is normally worn day to day, since the entire head and face need to be visible.
Yes, a hijab may be worn, but it must not cast any shadow on the face and the full face from chin to forehead must remain visible.
Both typically use the same 38x48mm size and white background, but they are submitted through different channels — the passport photo goes through the Department of Passports and Travel Documents, while the Qatar ID (QID) photo is handled separately through MOI service centers or Metrash2.
Digital uploads through Metrash2 or Hukoomi are commonly rejected for file sizes that fall outside the platform's limit, incorrect pixel dimensions, or a background that isn't a clean, shadow-free white.
Don't risk a rejected upload on Metrash2 or Hukoomi over a background that's slightly off-white. Upload your photo below and get an MOI-ready 38x48mm result in seconds.
