Pakistan Visa Photo Requirements

Two different photograph tracks, not one

The Pakistan Online Visa System (POVS), operated for the Ministry of Interior, is the online portal for e-visa applications and takes a digital photo upload with its own Photograph Guide [1]. A paper visa application filed at a Pakistani mission abroad — for example the Pakistan High Commission in London — instead uses printed photographs attached to the visa application form [4]. A further, separate paper track for in-country visa matters such as extensions is handled by the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports [3]. These are described here as distinct tracks rather than merged into one set of rules.

The Photograph Guide states the background two different ways

The Photograph Guide’s photograph-quality section states the photograph must be taken against a plain white background [1]. Later on the same page, the style-and-lighting section instead asks for a plain light-coloured background [1] — the two sections of the same official page do not agree with each other. The Application Guide, a separate official document from the same portal, states the background must be white [2], which is the value used above.

Eyewear is treated differently depending on which document is used

The e-visa Photograph Guide requires the applicant’s eyes to be shown clearly with no glasses at all [1]. The paper visa application form used at the Pakistan High Commission in London instead allows everyday glasses, while ruling out sunglasses [4] — an applicant using the paper route at that mission is not held to the e-visa’s no-glasses rule.

Pose, framing and lighting for the e-visa photo

The photograph must show the applicant alone, with no chair back or other person visible, looking at the camera with a neutral expression and the mouth closed [1]. The eyes must be open and clearly visible, facing the camera directly rather than turned or tilted, with both edges of the face shown and no hair falling across the eyes [1]. Lighting must be uniform, without shadows or flash reflections on the face, and without red-eye [1]. A head covering is permitted only if the facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, and both edges of the face, remain clearly visible [1].