The 5mm that catches everyone out
If you have had passport photos taken abroad, or used an online tool that assumes the international default, you very likely have 35 × 45mm photos. Those are the wrong shape for a Malaysian passport and will be rejected.
The difference is only 5mm on one edge, which is easy to miss by eye and impossible to fix by trimming — cropping a 45mm-tall photo down does not make it 50mm tall. You need to re-crop from the original with the correct ratio, which is what the preset above does.
| Malaysia | Most other countries | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 35 × 50mm | 35 × 45mm |
| At 300 DPI | 413 × 591 px | 413 × 531 px |
| Aspect ratio | 7:10 | 7:9 |
Full requirements
The Immigration Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Imigresen) specifies:
- Size: 35 × 50mm, portrait.
- Background: plain white, evenly lit, no shadows.
- Face height: roughly 60–80% of the frame, about 30–40mm from chin to crown.
- Taken within the last 6 months, in colour.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open and clearly visible.
- No headwear except for religious reasons, with the full face visible.
- Typically 2–3 identical copies for a paper application.
Printing at the right physical size
A 413 × 591 pixel file prints at exactly 35 × 50mm only if the printer honours 300 DPI. Print from a photo lab at the stated size, or if printing at home, disable any "fit to page" or "scale to fit" option — that scaling is what produces photos that measure 33mm or 37mm instead of 35mm.
If you need several copies on one sheet, place them on an A4 page at their true size and print once.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Malaysian passport photo 35x45mm?
- No — it is 35 × 50mm. Malaysia is one of the few countries that does not use the 35 × 45mm international standard, and photos at 45mm tall are rejected.
- How many pixels is 35 x 50mm?
- 413 × 591 pixels at 300 DPI, which is the standard print resolution.
- What background colour is required?
- Plain white, evenly lit with no shadow behind the head.
- Can I reuse photos taken for another country?
- Only if they were taken at 35 × 50mm. A 35 × 45mm photo cannot be made compliant by trimming — re-crop from the original image at the correct ratio.
Sources & disclaimer
The specifications on this page were taken from the sources below on the dates shown:
- Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (Immigration Department of Malaysia) — checked October 2026
Please verify before you submit. Government photo requirements change without notice and are not always announced — India replaced its 2 × 2 inch passport photo standard in February 2026, for instance. The information here reflects those sources as of the dates given and may since have become out of date, and requirements can also differ between individual embassies and consulates. It is provided for general guidance only, with no warranty of accuracy or completeness, and Instant Image Resizer accepts no liability for rejected applications, fees or other losses arising from its use. Always confirm the current requirements with the issuing government authority before submitting your application.