Costa Rica Passport Photo Guide for Foreigners (2026)
Living in Costa Rica and need a document photo? Costa Rican passport photos are 35×45mm — a taller, narrower rectangle, NOT the 2×2 inch square used for US passports. If you use an American-sized photo, it will be rejected. Here's everything you need to know.
Key Specs
| Size | 35 × 45mm (NOT 2×2 inch) |
| Background | White, plain |
| Glasses | Not recommended |
| Recency | Within last 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Photo size | 35 × 45mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Color | Full color (natural skin tone) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not recommended (any type) |
| Head coverage | 70-80% of photo height |
| Recency | Taken within last 6 months |
What’s Different from US/UK Photos?
If you’re from the US, UK, Canada, or Australia, the first thing to know: Costa Rican passport photos are NOT the same size as yours. This is the most common mistake foreigners make.
| Spec | Costa Rica | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 35 × 45mm (rectangle) | 2 × 2 inches / 51 × 51mm (square) |
| Head height | 70-80% of frame | 50-69% of frame |
| Background | White | White |
| Glasses | Not recommended | Not allowed |
The Costa Rican format is taller and narrower than the US square. If you walk into a photo studio and just say “passport photo,” make sure they know you need the Costa Rican format. Say “foto tamaño pasaporte” (passport-sized photo) and confirm the size is 35×45mm.
Who Needs a Costa Rican-Format Photo?
As a foreigner in Costa Rica, you might need a 35×45mm photo for:
- DIMEX (Documento de Identidad Migratorio para Extranjeros) — your residency card
- Work permit (permiso de trabajo)
- Temporary or permanent residency application
- Driver’s license (licencia de conducir)
If you need a photo for your home country’s passport (e.g., renewing your US passport at the embassy in San Jose), the specs are different. Check our country guides for your home country’s requirements.
DIMEX vs Passport
The DIMEX is the most common document foreigners need in Costa Rica. It’s your residency ID card issued by DGME. Photo requirements for DIMEX follow the same 35×45mm format as the Costa Rican passport. Our tool handles both.
Where to Get Your Photo in Costa Rica
Option 1: Our Online Tool (Cheapest)
Take a photo at home with your phone, upload it to our tool, and we handle the rest — background removal, 35×45mm crop, head ratio adjustment. The entire interface works in English. Total cost: ₡520 (~$1 USD) + printing.
Option 2: Photo Studio (Estudio Fotográfico)
Look for signs that say “Fotos para pasaporte” or “Fotos carnet.” You’ll find studios near DGME offices and in shopping centers. Cost: ₡3,000-8,000 ($6-15 USD). Most photographers know the requirements.
Option 3: Copy Center (Centro de Copiado)
Many centros de copiado near government offices offer passport photo services. They take your photo and print it on the spot. Cost: ₡2,000-4,000.
| Method | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online tool + print | ₡520 (~$1 USD) + print | 3 min + pickup |
| Photo studio | ₡3,000-8,000 | 20-40 min |
| Copy center (near DGME) | ₡2,000-4,000 | 10-20 min |
Where to Print
Once you have the digital file, you need to print it. Here are your options:
Centros de copiado (copy centers) — Found in every neighborhood, usually near schools and government offices. Bring your file on USB or send via WhatsApp. Ask for “impresión en papel fotográfico, tamaño cuatro por seis” (photo paper, 4×6 size). Cost: ₡200-500 per print.
Librería Nacional — Costa Rica’s largest bookstore chain, with locations in major malls (Multiplaza, Lincoln Plaza). Many locations offer photo printing services. Cost: ₡300-600.
Office Depot — Multiple locations in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM). Bring your file on USB. Cost: ₡400-800.
Papelerías — Small stationery shops. Found everywhere. Most accept USB drives or WhatsApp transfers. Cost: ₡200-500.
Don't speak Spanish?
Our tool works entirely in English. Upload your photo, we handle the Costa Rican specs automatically. When printing, the phrase you need is: “Quiero imprimir esta foto en papel fotográfico, tamaño cuatro por seis” (I want to print this photo on photo paper, 4×6 size).
Useful Vocabulary
| Spanish | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| pasaporte | pah-sah-POR-teh | passport |
| foto carnet | FOH-toh car-NET | ID/document photo |
| cédula | SEH-doo-lah | national ID card (for citizens) |
| DIMEX | DEE-mex | foreign residency card |
| DGME | deh-heh-EH-meh | immigration authority |
| lentes | LEN-tehs | glasses |
| papelería | pah-peh-leh-REE-ah | stationery shop / print shop |
| centro de copiado | SEN-troh deh co-pee-AH-doh | copy center |
| fondo blanco | FOHN-doh BLAHN-koh | white background |
| imprimir | eem-pree-MEER | to print |
| trámite | TRAH-mee-teh | bureaucratic procedure |
| llave maya | YAH-veh MY-ah | USB flash drive (Costa Rican term) |
Important: DGME Office Photos
If you’re applying for a Costa Rican document at a DGME office, they typically take your photo digitally at the appointment. Just show up without glasses, with your forehead and ears visible, wearing a dark-colored top.
If you’re applying at a Costa Rican consulate abroad, you may need to bring printed photos (35×45mm, white background). Check with your specific consulate.
The US Embassy in San Jose handles US passport renewals — for that, you need US-format photos (2×2 inches), not Costa Rican format. Our tool can create both sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Costa Rican passport photo?
Costa Rican passport photos are 35×45mm (3.5×4.5 cm), a vertical rectangle. This is different from the US 2×2 inch (51×51mm) square format. Using a US-sized photo for a Costa Rican document will result in rejection.
Can I wear glasses in a Costa Rican passport photo?
Not recommended. Glasses cause reflections that obscure your eyes and interfere with facial recognition systems. Remove all eyewear before taking the photo.
Where can I print passport photos in Costa Rica?
You can print at centros de copiado (copy centers), Librería Nacional (bookstore chain with printing), Office Depot, or local papelerías (stationery shops). Most accept USB drives or WhatsApp file transfers. Cost: ₡200-600 per 4×6 print.
What is DGME?
DGME stands for Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería — Costa Rica's immigration authority. They handle passports for citizens and residency documents (DIMEX) for foreigners. Main office is in La Uruca, San José.
How is a Costa Rican passport photo different from a US passport photo?
Two key differences: (1) Size — Costa Rica uses 35×45mm rectangle vs US 2×2 inch square, (2) Head ratio — Costa Rica requires approximately 70-80% head height vs US 50-69%. Both require white background.
Do I need a Costa Rican-format photo as a foreigner?
If you're applying for a DIMEX (residency card), work permit, or any Costa Rican document, yes — you need the 35×45mm format. If you're renewing your home country's passport at your embassy, check your country's requirements instead.
Can I use a US passport photo for Costa Rican documents?
No. The dimensions are completely different. A US passport photo is 51×51mm (square) while Costa Rican photos are 35×45mm (rectangular). You need a separate photo for each.
Create Your Costa Rica Photo — English Interface
Upload a photo from your phone. Our tool handles Costa Rican specs automatically — background removal, 35×45mm crop, head ratio check. No Spanish required.
Create Passport Photo₡520 (~$1 USD) · Digital file + printable 4×6 sheet with 6 photos