Argentine Passport Photo Requirements 2026 (Foto de Pasaporte)
The Argentine passport (Pasaporte Ordinario) is issued by the Registro Nacional de las Personas (Renaper), operating under the Ministry of the Interior. Under Decreto 261/2011 and its updated text, the official regulation governing passport photo standards — Article 30 — specifies that the photograph must be current, taken from the front (de frente), half-bust (medio busto), with the head fully uncovered, in colour, with a uniform plain white background (fondo uniforme blanco y liso), and measuring exactly 4 cm × 4 cm (40 × 40 mm). The image must faithfully represent the facial features of the holder at the time of application and must contain no alterations or falsifications of facial characteristics.
Argentina Passport Photo — Technical Specifications 2026
The Square Format: Why Correct Cropping Matters
Argentina uses a square 40 × 40 mm photo format — distinct from the rectangular 35 × 45 mm standard common across Europe. This square aspect ratio requires the face to be precisely centred both horizontally and vertically. Submitting a rectangular photo will result in immediate rejection. The head should fill approximately 70–75% of the photo area, ensuring all facial features from chin to crown are clearly visible. The face must be evenly lit with no shadows on the face or background, and the eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera.
New Argentine Passport Design 2026
Argentina unveiled a new passport design in early 2026. According to Disposición 54/2026 published on argentina.gob.ar, the updated document features a polycarbonate data page with an electronic chip, laser-engraved personalisation, and full compliance with ICAO (OACI) standards for machine-readable travel documents. Laser engraving is performed at Renaper's document production facilities and at the Integrated Documentation Centres at international airports. The new format also ensures compatibility with automated border control systems. Existing valid passports remain valid until their expiry date — upgrading is not mandatory.
Requisitos Fotográficos — Official Checklist
- Size: Exactly 40 × 40 mm (4 cm × 4 cm), as established by Decreto 261/2011, Art. 30.
- Background: Uniform, plain white background. No patterns, shadows, gradients, or objects.
- Colour: Full colour. Black and white photos are not accepted.
- Pose: Front-facing, head straight, half-bust visible. No tilting or turning of the head.
- Expression: Neutral expression, mouth closed. Eyes open and clearly visible.
- Head Covering: Not permitted, except for documented religious or medical reasons. When worn for religious reasons, all main facial features must remain visible — as specified in Decreto 261/2011, Art. 41.
- Glasses: Not recommended. If worn for medical necessity, there must be no reflections or tinted lenses.
- Recency: The photo must be current and represent the applicant's appearance at the time of application.
- Retouching: No digital alterations to facial features are permitted.
Applying at a Renaper Centre in 2026
Passport applications must be made in person at a Centro de Documentación Renaper or a Registro Civil. Appointments are booked via the Mi Argentina app (mi.argentina.gob.ar). The in-office process takes approximately 15 minutes, as confirmed on argentina.gob.ar. The passport is then delivered to the applicant's registered address by postal courier. A valid DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) is a mandatory prerequisite for all passport applications.
Passport Validity and Mercosur Travel
Argentine passports are valid for 10 years for adults (18 and over) and 5 years for minors under 18, as confirmed by the official argentina.gob.ar passport service page. Argentine citizens travelling within Mercosur member and associated states — including Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru — may use their DNI card instead of a passport for entry, as recognised under the Mercosur freedom of movement framework.