Philippines Work Permit Photo — Exact AEP Standard

When applying for a Philippines Alien Employment Permit (AEP) through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), your photo must meet precise technical requirements from the start. A non-compliant photo delays processing — and in the Philippines, where AEP renewals are time-sensitive and tied to your work visa, every day counts. Our service prepares your photo to the exact official standard automatically, so it passes inspection on first submission.

The AEP is issued by DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) and is mandatory for most foreign nationals working in the Philippines. DOLE requires applicants to submit physical photo prints — typically two copies — alongside the application form and supporting documents. The specified format is the classic American 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) with a plain white background, the same format used across U.S.-standard immigration documents. This is not a passport-size photo (which is 35x45 mm) — submitting the wrong size is one of the most frequent reasons for immediate rejection at the DOLE regional office counter. The digital equivalent is 602x602 pixels, which is what our service outputs for printing.

• Size: 51x51 mm (2x2 inches) / 602x602 px digital file
• Background: Plain white (#FFFFFF) — no shadows, gradients, or patterns
• Face coverage: Your face must fill 50–69% of the total frame height
• Expression: Neutral, relaxed — mouth must be closed
• Glasses: Not allowed, regardless of prescription or style
• Headwear: Not permitted, except for documented religious reasons
• Recency: Photo must have been taken within the last 6 months
• Quality: Sharp focus, even lighting, no visible pixelation when printed at 2x2 inches

• Wrong photo size: Submitting a standard passport photo (35x45 mm) instead of the required 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) format is the single most common counter rejection at DOLE offices.
• Colored or off-white background: Any tint — beige, light grey, light blue — does not meet the plain white requirement. Studio photos shot against a cream backdrop are frequently flagged.
• Glasses worn in the photo: DOLE does not accept glasses under any circumstances; if you normally wear eyeglasses, you must remove them for the photo.
• Face too small or too large in the frame: A face that occupies less than 50% or more than 69% of the frame height falls outside the specification and will be returned.

Upload a clear, well-lit photo taken against any background — our service automatically crops, resizes, and sets the white background to the exact 51x51 mm / 602x602 px AEP specification. You receive a free watermarked preview before any payment, so you can verify the result yourself. If you pay and the photo is still rejected at the DOLE office, we will redo it at no extra charge or issue a full refund — whichever you prefer. You pay only for the final file, only when you are satisfied.