France identity photo — official standards and formats by document
Official reference for ISO/IEC 19794-5:2005 biometric standards. This portal provides mandatory instructions for successful administrative procedures with ANTS.
OFFICIAL ANTS PORTAL
Specifications by document
National ID Card (CNI)
Since 2021, the new electronic national ID card requires a photo strictly compliant with ICAO standards.
FORMAT
35mm x 45mm
FACE
32mm to 36mm
Passport
Standard biometric passport for adults and minors.
- High resolution
- Glossy paper
Driving Licence
ANTS procedure mandatory with e-photo.
Residence Permit
Compliance criteria for foreign nationals are identical to French identity documents.
ISO CRITERIAMandatory Common Criteria
Recent Photo
The photo must have been taken less than 6 months ago and be a perfectly accurate likeness at the time of application.
Zero Accessories
It is strongly advised to remove glasses. No hats, caps, headbands or scarves (except for medical reasons).
Neutral Expression
Mouth closed, no smile, gaze fixed toward the lens. The face must be clear with the forehead visible.
Common rejection causes
Errors identified:
- · Shadows on the face
- · Red-eye effect
- · Overexposure (white face)
- · Uneven background
Validated criteria:
- · Head straight and centred
- · Uniform light blue background
- · Eyes perfectly visible
- · No reflections
ISO/IEC Technical Specifications
| ELEMENT | FRENCH STANDARD | TOLERANCE |
|---|---|---|
| Face height | 32 to 36 mm | +/-1mm |
| Eye line | Top 2/3 of image | Strict horizontal centering |
| Background | Light blue or light grey | White forbidden |
| Paper quality | Glossy or satin | No visible grain |
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