Navigating Facial Expressions for Passport Photos

A facial expression (also known as a facial gesture) is the contraction of certain muscles in the face to convey a particular emotion. It is one of the most important forms of body language.

The Six Basic Facial Expressions

There are six basic emotions that can be conveyed through facial expressions:

• Anger: furrowed forehead, eyebrows pulled down, lips pressed together, visible teeth, bulging eyes, widened nostrils, tense eyelids, and red face.
• Fear: eyebrows drawn together, lips pulled back, mouth opened, lower lip pulled down, eyes widened, wrinkles on forehead, nostrils tightened, skin paled, sweat on forehead.
• Disgust: nose wrinkled, eyebrows pulled inward, eyelids squeezed, lines under the lower eyelid, cheeks raised, upper lip raised, tongue stuck out, horizontal lines from the nose to the chin.
• Surprise: eyebrows raised high, eyes wide open, dropped jaw, mouth open, horizontal wrinkles on the forehead.
• Joy: relaxed forehead, slightly raised eyebrows, upturned mouth corners, visible teeth, open mouth, lifted cheeks, wrinkles around the mouth corners and eyes.
• Sadness: furrowed forehead, eyebrows pulled together, downturned mouth corners, trembling lower lip, wrinkles around mouth corners, skin around eyelids pulled inward, teary eyes.

Rules for Facial Expressions in Passport Photos

The passport photo regulations specify that you must have a neutral facial expression. You must look straight into the camera with a neutral expression and a closed mouth.

Smiling broadly or having an open mouth is not allowed. However, this does not mean that you have to look grumpy or stern.

Showing emotions such as anger, fear, disgust, surprise, joy, or sadness is not permitted in passport photos.