CNIC vs Passport Photo Size Difference

If you walk into a typical photo studio in Saddar, Karachi or Liberty Market, Lahore and ask for a 'passport size' photo, the photographer will usually nod, sit you down, click a button, and hand you 8 copies of a 2x2 inch blue background photo. But here is the kicker: if you take that exact photo and try to use it for your CNIC renewal online, it is almost guaranteed to fail.

This is the classic 'Passport Size' trap. In Pakistan, the term is used very loosely to describe any small ID photo. However, when you are dealing with online portals like the NADRA Pak Identity app or the DGIP e-Passport system, loose definitions don't fly. These systems are run by algorithms, and algorithms deal in exact pixels and aspect ratios.

In this guide, I'm going to break down the technical differences between CNIC and Passport photos so you never waste money on the wrong prints again.

The Universal Standard 35mm x 45mm

Let's start with the similarities. Both the Pakistani Machine Readable Passport (MRP) and the CNIC share the same physical dimension standard for printed forms.

35mm Width x 45mm Height.

This is the global ICAO standard used by most European and Asian countries. It is rectangular, taller than it is wide. If you are filling out a manual form where you have to glue a picture, this is the size you need.

The Digital Divide Pixels vs Millimeters

Here is where it gets tricky. While the shape (aspect ratio) is the same, the requirements for uploading these photos differ depending on which website you are using.

1. CNIC Online Pak Identity

NADRA's system is very specific about file size to save server space.

• Dimensions: Approx 350 pixels wide by 467 pixels high.
• File Size: STRICTLY under 60KB. If it is 61KB, it will fail. Learn how to fix file size errors here.
• Background: Pure White.
• Format: JPG/JPEG only.

This is why we built the tool at the top of this page. It is hard to get a 5MB iPhone photo down to 60KB without making it look like a potato. Our tool handles that compression for you.

2. Passport Online DGIP

The Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGIP) has a slightly newer portal for e-Passports. While they also prefer the 35x45mm ratio, their file size limit is sometimes more generous (up to 5MB in some sections, though often capped lower for final submission). However, for consistency, using the 350x467px standard works perfectly for passports too, as it maintains high resolution without being too heavy.

The Blue vs White War

This is the biggest differentiator that confuses everyone.

Physical Passport Application: If you go to the Passport Office, they will likely take your photo against a Blue or Grey background.

Online Application (CNIC & Passport): You MUST use a White background. The online biometric software struggles to separate dark hair from a dark blue background, leading to auto-crop failures. I wrote a whole guide on why you should always choose white for online forms.

The Visa Confusion 2x2 vs 35x45

Many people confuse Pakistani ID requirements with Visa requirements. They are NOT the same.

• USA Visa: Requires a 2x2 inch (51x51mm) square photo. This is significantly wider than the Pakistani standard. If you try to upload a US Visa photo to the NADRA app, it will look squashed.
• Schengen (Europe): Uses the 35x45mm standard, which matches our CNIC size perfectly.
• Saudi Arabia (Umrah): Generally uses 4x6cm or similar ratios, often with a white background.

Pro Tip: Never tell a photographer 'Just make it passport size'. Tell them, 'I need a 35 by 45 millimeter photo with a white background'. Specificity saves you money.

Why Dimensions Matter The Face Ratio

It is not just about the outer edges. It is about how much of the photo is You.

For both CNIC and Passport, the Face Ratio is critical. Your face must take up 70% to 80% of the height.

If you take a photo where your chest and stomach are visible, your face becomes tiny. The biometric scanner needs to measure the distance between your eyes. If your eyes are only 10 pixels apart because the photo is zoomed out, the system fails. Always crop tight—from just above the hair to just below the collarbone.

Summary Comparison Table

Use our free converter tool at the top of this page to ensure your dimensions are perfect for Pakistani documents. We lock the aspect ratio to 3:4 automatically, so you don't have to worry about pixels.