Editorial Policy

PhotoGov is a passport photo maker and an international photo ID media hub covering passport, visa, and ID photo requirements for over 150 countries. Applicants use our platform to prepare one of the most critical elements of any travel or immigration process — passport-size photos. We rigorously monitor government requirements, apply specifications published by official issuing authorities, and continuously update our database to maintain complete accuracy.

The PhotoGov Editorial Team researches, writes, and reviews all content across the platform — from document photo tools to in-depth guides in our Knowledge Center. The team is led by Managing Editor Olia Potiagaeva, a journalist specializing in international travel and immigration regulations. Before any specification goes live, she personally verifies it against primary government sources.

Meet the PhotoGov Editorial Team.

PhotoGov relies strictly on official government guidelines and the global standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO Document 9303: Machine Readable Travel Documents). Published requirements are sourced directly from primary authorities, including the U.S. Department of State, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), HM Passport Office (HMPO), and national ministries worldwide. Each document page cites the governing body and links to the primary source verified by our team.

1. Research. We source the latest photo guidelines from the official issuing authority: physical and digital dimensions, head proportions, background color, lighting, glasses and headwear rules, file formats for online uploads, and print specifications for paper applications.

2. Drafting & Localization. We turn official guidelines into clear, accessible instructions. We preserve all exact parameters — including millimeters, pixels, and file sizes — exactly as published by the authority.

3. Editorial review. The PhotoGov editorial team checks every value and rule on the page against the official source. If sources conflict, the issuing authority's requirements take priority.

4. Publishing. We publish the page alongside the referenced authority, a link to the primary source, and the date it was last verified.

Official photo regulations change frequently. To maintain accuracy, we review every document page every eight weeks and immediately when an authority issues new guidelines. The date of the most recent review is always visible on the page.

If you spot an inaccuracy or an outdated requirement, please let us know through our Contact page. We will verify the information against the primary source and update the page accordingly.