Passport Photo Guidelines: The Visibility and Positioning of Pupils

The pupil is the small black circle in the center of our eye. It lets in light so we can see. When it's bright, the pupil gets smaller to let in less light. In the dark, the pupil gets bigger to let in more light.

The pupil's size can also change depending on how we're feeling, or if we've taken certain medicines or drugs. Doctors can learn about our brain health by looking at our pupils. Sometimes, if a person's pupil is not working right, a doctor might need to create an artificial one. Some animals have pupils that are different shapes, like rectangles or slits, and this can tell us about the animal's habits.

Rules for Pupils in Passport Photos

Passport Photo rules include specific guidelines about the appearance of the eyes, and thus the pupils.

The eyes should be open in the photo, ensuring the pupils are clearly visible. It's unacceptable for the pupils to be hidden by sunglasses or tinted glasses. The individual in the photo should face the camera directly, looking straight ahead to center the pupils within the eyes. One issue to avoid is the red-eye effect, which can result from flash photography and makes the pupils appear red.

Requirements also require a neutral facial expression, meaning the pupils should not be excessively dilated or constricted due to an emotional reaction.