PICA to Host Training Sessions for Photographers

The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) will be hosting a series of training sessions islandwide for photographers, to improve the quality of photographs that are submitted to the agency.

Speaking with JIS News, Director of Customer Service at PICA, Stephanie Gordon, pointed out that the agency is obligated to produce passports that are of a certain standard and so photographs that are placed in these books must meet the required standard.

“We have had, over the years, a number of challenges with the quality of photographs that come in with our passport applications. We also have been on a drive to educate the public to make it easier for them to acquire the standard of photographs that we would want with the applications,” the Director informed.

“We do not want people coming in and we have to turn them back to get another set of photographs, so we are now looking at meeting with the photographers to advise them of the standards and get feedback from them about the challenges that they face in producing the quality of photographs that we require,” Miss Gordon added.

She explained that the quality of the nation’s passport is in accordance with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), as it is used for international travel.

Various international organisations rely on the veracity of the information contained in the document when permitting the movement of persons across national borders. The passport is also used as proof of one’s identity and a number of institutions rely on the integrity of the document as a valid form of identification when transacting business with their clients.

Photographs that are placed in passports must be in accordance with the quality, style and appearance set by ICAO.

The Director noted that the first in the series  of training sessions will be held on March 29 at the Terra Nova Hotel, in Kingston,  beginning at 1:00 p.m. The second session will be held in May Pen, Clarendon. Others are being planned for locations across the island.

“At the session, we will be explaining the standards, looking at some of the common errors that we pick up in photographs and looking at ways in which those can be corrected or prevented,” the Director pointed out.

She emphasised that it is critical that these challenges are dealt with, as “it cuts down on errors and create a win-win situation,” where both parties can satisfy their clients.

Outlining some basic standards that are required of photographs,  she said that, “there should be no shadows on the photograph and it should be a certain size."

“We expect to see the full face and not a portrait shot. The person’s features should be visible…we should be able to see their eyes with nothing distorting the features of the person’s face, such as hair covering the eyes,” Miss Gordon added.

Other requirements or reminders that persons should bear in mind are:

·        You must submit two identical photographs along with your passport application form; these must be taken against a plain light-coloured background

·        Clothing should not be the same as that of the background

·        Persons with grey/white hair should take their picture against a light blue or grey background

·        Passport pictures must be recent and should not be more than six months old. Pictures that are older than six months will be rejected.

·        Passport pictures must be sharp, focused and clear and there needs to be a strong definition between the face and background

·        The standard size for these photographs is 45 millimetres x 35 millimetres and they must be printed on normal photographic paper  

·        Photographs must be printed at 1200dpi (dots per inch) resolution or better if they are digital photographs

·        Photographs should have full view of the face, with no inkblots or other marks, and there should be no shadows

·        Persons should look straight at the camera while wearing a neutral expression (no smile)

·        There should be no reflection on glasses worn by applicants and the frames should not cover his or her eyes. Eyes must be open and clearly visible.

·        Head and face must be uncovered. Applicants who wear headgear due to their religious affiliation must have their entire facial features visible, including the ears.

·        Pictures must be a close-up of the applicant’s head and shoulders, so that the face covers 70 – 80 per cent of the photograph

·        It is important to note that authorised persons endorsing an applicant’s photographs should not place any seal on the photographs

·        Only one of the two required photographs should be notarized

For further information on the sessions, persons may call PICA at 906-3110 or send an email to: passportphotos@pica.gov.jm.

By Kadian Brown, JIS PRO