Passport photo: what is it, and should you take it with you on a trip or while backpacking?

What is a passport photo?

• Passport photos are those official, often unflattering, photos of your head on a light background, without sunglasses, a broad smile or hair in your face. Not intended as a nice holiday snapshot, but for authorities that want to identify you.

What can you use a passport photo for when traveling and backpacking?

• For applying for or extending visas (some countries want two to six physical passport photos).
• For applying for local ID cards, permits or SIM cards.
• For public transport cards, student cards or library cards (yes, still a thing).
• For emergency documents in case of loss of your passport.
• For volunteer work or (temporary) work permits.

When do you take a passport photo with you when traveling or backpacking?

Always take it with you if you:

• Travel to countries that issue a visa at the border (think: Nepal, Cambodia, Tanzania).
• Are planning to stay in one country for a long time (visa extension or local registration).
• Visit multiple countries with different visa requirements.
• Don't want to be dependent on blurry copy shops that take photos with a Nokia from 2003.

Where can you buy a passport photo locally in the world?

• In almost every country you can have passport photos taken at:
  • Copy shops.
  • Photo shops.
  • Photo booths in shopping malls or at stations.
  • Pharmacies (in the US, Canada, Thailand, etc.).
• In some countries (such as India or Vietnam) they do it right at the visa office.
• Format and requirements vary per country, so make sure to inquire about this in advance!