ISIC Card Photo

An ISIC card photo is the portrait used on the International Student Identity Card (ISIC), the internationally recognised proof of student status that gives holders access to a wide range of student discounts and offers around the world. When you apply for an ISIC card, you submit a photograph so the card carries a clear image of the holder. Our service prepares a compliant portrait to the format the card uses, so your application moves through without an image-related hold-up.

The ISIC card uses a distinctive portrait size of 51×68 mm, taller than a typical passport photo, with a larger head in the frame. We size and crop your portrait precisely to this format so it fills the card's photo area correctly and prints cleanly.

What this photo is for

This photo identifies you as the cardholder of an internationally recognised student card. The ISIC is presented to claim student pricing on travel, attractions, software, and many services, and it is checked by staff who compare the photo to the person in front of them. The portrait therefore needs to resemble you clearly and look neat and professional at the card's larger photo size.

Exact specification

We prepare the portrait to the ISIC convention:

• Dimensions: 51×68 mm
• Resolution: 300 dpi for a sharp, well-defined print
• Head height: approximately 51 mm, around 55–75% of the frame
• Background: plain white, evenly lit with no shadows
• Expression: neutral, mouth closed, no smile
• Glasses: allowed, provided the eyes are clearly visible with no glare
• Headwear: not permitted
• File: JPG, up to 4 MB

The taller frame and larger head distinguish the ISIC format from passport sizes, and the more generous 4 MB file allowance leaves room for a high-quality image. Glasses are accepted as long as the eyes stay clear, while headwear is not permitted so the face is fully visible.

Common rejection reasons

ISIC applications are commonly delayed by photos that do not meet the format. Frequent problems include using a passport-shaped crop instead of the taller 51×68 mm frame, a coloured or busy background, shadows behind the head, glare on glasses, a head sized incorrectly, hats or hoods left on, hair across the eyes, and dark or low-resolution images that look poor when printed at the card's size.

How we prepare your photo

Send us a recent, well-lit photograph. We set a clean white background, crop and scale your head to the taller 51×68 mm proportion, and check the expression and eye line. If you wear glasses, we confirm there is no reflection covering your eyes. We finalise the resolution and file size within the 4 MB limit and deliver a JPG ready for the ISIC application form.

Getting your student card right

Because the ISIC opens the door to student discounts internationally, it is worth submitting a portrait that is clean and clearly recognisable. Photograph yourself in soft, even daylight facing a window, with a plain wall behind you and no hat or hood. Keep your shoulders square to the camera, tidy your hair away from your eyes, and hold a calm, neutral expression. If you wear glasses, tilt your head slightly to avoid reflections and make sure your eyes are visible. With a clean source image we deliver a 51×68 mm portrait that fits the ISIC layout precisely and prints sharply, so your international student card looks the part wherever you use it. Always check the current photo guidance during the application, since requirements can be updated over time.