Peru Passport Photo Guide for Foreigners (2026)
Living in Peru and need a document photo? Peruvian 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 allowed |
| 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 allowed (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 most important thing to know: Peruvian passport photos are NOT the same size as yours.
| Spec | Peru | 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 allowed | Not allowed |
The Peruvian format is taller and narrower than the US square. If you go to a photo shop and just say “passport photo,” they’ll likely give you the correct Peruvian size — but specify “tamaño pasaporte” to be safe.
Who Needs a Peruvian-Format Photo?
As a foreigner in Peru, you might need a Peruvian-format photo for:
- Carné de extranjería (foreigner ID card)
- Work permit (permiso de trabajo)
- Visa extension or change of status
- Peruvian visa application
- Driver’s license (brevete) — specs may vary by region
If you need a photo for your home country’s passport (e.g., renewing your US passport at the embassy in Lima), the specs are different. Check our country guides for your home country’s requirements.
Understanding Migraciones vs RENIEC
Peru has two separate agencies that foreigners often confuse:
Migraciones (Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones) — handles passports, immigration, visa processing, and the carné de extranjería. Their main office is in Breña, Lima. Website: migraciones.gob.pe
RENIEC (Registro Nacional de Identificación y Estado Civil) — handles the DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad), Peru’s national ID card. This agency is for Peruvian citizens, not foreigners (unless you’ve been naturalized).
As a foreigner, your dealings will almost exclusively be with Migraciones.
Where to Get Your Photo in Peru
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: S/ 3.75 (~$1 USD) + printing.
Option 2: Photo Studio (Estudio Fotográfico)
Look for signs that say “Fotos para pasaporte” or “Foto carnet.” Studios are especially common near Migraciones offices and government buildings. Cost: S/ 10-25 ($2.70-$6.70 USD). Tell them you need “foto tamaño pasaporte.”
Option 3: Copy Center (Centro de Copiado)
Many copy centers offer quick passport photo services. Cost: S/ 5-15 ($1.30-$4 USD). They take the photo, print it, and hand it to you in minutes.
| Method | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online tool + print shop | S/ 3.75 (~$1 USD) + print | 3 min + pickup |
| Photo studio | S/ 10-25 | 20-30 min |
| Copy center | S/ 5-15 | 10 min |
Where to Print
Once you have the digital file from our tool, you need to print it. Here are your options:
Tai Loy — Peru’s largest stationery chain with locations nationwide. Many stores offer photo printing services. Bring your file on a USB drive. Cost: S/ 2-5 per 4×6 print.
Centro de copiado (copy center) — Found everywhere, especially near universities and government offices. Bring your file on USB or send it via WhatsApp. Cost: S/ 1-3 per print. Ask for “papel fotográfico” (photo paper).
Papelería (stationery shop) — Neighborhood stationery shops often have printing services. Cost: S/ 1-3.
Curacao — Electronics and department store chain with photo printing at some locations. Cost: S/ 3-8.
Don't speak Spanish?
Our tool works entirely in English. Upload your photo, we handle the Peruvian 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/passport photo |
| Migraciones | mee-grah-SYOH-nehs | Immigration authority |
| DNI | deh-EH-neh-EE | national ID card (for citizens) |
| carné de extranjería | car-NEH deh ex-tran-heh-REE-ah | foreigner ID card |
| lentes | LEN-tehs | glasses |
| papelería | pah-peh-leh-REE-ah | stationery 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 |
Important: Photo at Migraciones Offices
If you’re applying for a document at a Migraciones office in Peru, 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.
At Peruvian consulates abroad, you may need to bring printed photos (35×45mm, white background).
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Peruvian passport photo?
Peruvian 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 Peruvian document will result in rejection.
Can I wear glasses in a Peruvian passport photo?
No. Peru does not allow glasses in passport photos. This includes prescription glasses, sunglasses, and colored contact lenses. Remove all eyewear before taking the photo.
Where can I print passport photos in Peru?
Tai Loy (stationery chain) offers printing services at many locations. You can also print at centros de copiado (copy centers), papelerías (stationery shops), or photo studios. Most accept USB drives or files sent via WhatsApp.
What is the difference between Migraciones and RENIEC?
Migraciones (Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones) handles passports and immigration. RENIEC (Registro Nacional de Identificación y Estado Civil) handles the DNI (national ID card). They are separate agencies with different offices.
How is a Peruvian passport photo different from a US passport photo?
Two key differences: (1) Size — Peru uses 35×45mm rectangle vs US 2×2 inch square, (2) Head ratio — Peru requires 70-80% head height vs US 50-69%. Both require white background and neither allows glasses.
Can I use a US passport photo for Peruvian documents?
No. The dimensions are completely different. A US passport photo is 51×51mm (square) while Peruvian passport photos are 35×45mm (rectangular). You need a separate photo for each.
What documents might I need a Peruvian-format photo for?
As a foreigner in Peru, you might need Peruvian-format photos for a carné de extranjería (foreigner ID), work permit, visa extension, or other immigration documents processed through Migraciones.
Create Your Peru Photo — English Interface
Upload a photo from your phone. Our tool handles Peruvian specs automatically — background removal, 35×45mm crop, head ratio check. No Spanish required.
Create Peru Passport PhotoS/ 3.75 (~$1 USD) · Digital file + printable 4×6 sheet with 6 photos