The ID photo plays a crucial role in our identification documents.
Even though the format remains somewhat the same, each country has a different set of requirements for ID photos, resulting in a list of regulations that citizens and travelers have to meet. The difference in the photo requirements is the result of the evolutionary process and adherence to the security concerns of different countries.
At the same time, governments rely heavily on digital infrastructure and such solutions as Virtual Private Server hosting to process photos and manage sensitive data.
Getting familiar with the evolution of ID photo requirements offers insight into the correlation between technology and national security.
The Evolution of Photo-Based Identification
Photo-based identification was first introduced as a concept in 1879 in the US. Amidst admission problems, Philadelphia first introduced “the photographic ticket” for visitors, which included a ticket number, the name of the holder, and a photo. Decades later, the photo-based identification became a standard practice for documents.
The first use of ID photos was in passports. After the First World War, countries incorporated more intense border control regulations, of which photo-based identification became an essential part. However, even in 1915, the UK introduced its passport, which became one of the first official documents that required a photo.
Other countries have then followed and developed their own set of photo requirements based on administrative practices and national security principles.
ID Photo Requirements in Different Countries
It may come as a surprise that different countries have different ID photo specifications, which can be based on cultural nuances. Even if it isn’t the country of your residence, it’s helpful to know these differences. Let’s look at photo standards for different countries:
● USA**:** For passports, the photo must be in color, with a white or off-white background, and a size of 2x2 inches, with a head height of 1 – 1 3/8 inches.
● UK: ID photos must have a size of 35x45 mm. This country requires the person’s expression to be as neutral as possible, but allows more shadows in the picture than the US.
● Canada**:** Canada requires ID photos to be 35x45 mm. However, Canadian authorities require the photos to be taken by a commercial photographer.
Other countries with strong religious backgrounds have adjusted their ID photo specifications to include and normalize head coverings, hijabs, turbans, and similar things.
Such requirements are there to ensure that IP photos all have similar technical characteristics to make the identification simpler and straightforward. As for travelers, getting familiar with the photo requirements of your destination country is an important step in pre-travel preparation.
Why Do Countries Have Different ID Photo Requirements?
Every country has its own identification systems, for which unique photo requirements were created. Such systems take into account the cultural norms of a specific country, for instance, traditional attire.
Political regimes also influence the way ID photos should be taken. In countries with authoritarian ideologies, neutral facial expressions and uniformity are expected; in democratic countries, a more free-flowing approach is taken when making ID photos.
Technological Evolution
By the end of the 20th century, digital photography had already made its mark on the world, and as it evolved, countries began to update their ID photo requirements with technological advancements in mind. Also, biometric passports later appeared, which required high-quality digital photos to use with face recognition technology.
Here, nations and countries with more resources have integrated these technological advancements earlier, while developing countries have faced challenges in the process. Because of the gap in incorporating progress, different countries have developed different ID photo norms, which reflect the nation’s technological priorities.
Security Concerns
Global and national security concerns have required more outlined regulations regarding ID photography. The specifications regard international guidelines for passport photos, which are made for the systems of automated border control.
National differences are often very subtle but still present. The UK asks for a neutral expression, France permits a little smile, while Japan requires the precise positioning of the head.
The Future of ID Photo Requirements
The slight differences in ID photo standards that are present now will likely disappear in the future, leading to a more or less universal requirement system for ID photos. Considering that many countries utilize biometric verification, digital ID systems, and allow submitting online applications, it would make sense to agree upon a specific set of regulations that would help these systems to better perform the process of identification.