This document constitutes mine or my dependent minor s signed statement that a turban is being worn daily for religious reasons.

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1 DATE To Whom It May Concern: I, or my dependent minor, wish to wear my Dastaar (turban) in a United States passport photograph. As a member of the Sikh faith, I or my dependent wear a Dastaar daily for religious reasons. The United States State Department allows persons of faith to wear religious headdress worn daily in United States passport or visa photographs. In this regard please review the State Department guidance attached to this letter. 1 On the topic of religious headdress in United States passport or visa photos, the State Department states: Unless worn daily for religious reasons [emphasis added], all hats or headgear should be removed for the photo. A signed statement from the applicant must be submitted with the application verifying the item is worn daily for religious reasons. This document constitutes mine or my dependent minor s signed statement that a turban is being worn daily for religious reasons. For your information Sikhs wear an external uniform to unify and bind them to the beliefs of the religion and to remind them of their commitment to Sikh teachings at all times. These articles of faith distinguish a Sikh and have deep spiritual significance. They signify an individual s commitment to the Sikh faith and to the highest ideals of love and service of humanity. Unlike some other faiths where only the clergy are in uniform, all Sikhs are required to wear external articles of faith. The Sikh Code of Conduct, called the Rehat Maryada, outlines the requirements for practicing the Sikh way of life, including wearing the articles of faith. The Rehat Maryada explicitly instructs that a Sikh must wear a turban. See Ch. 10, Art. 16(t), translated by W.H.McLeod: Textual Sources For the Study of Sikhism, Manchester University Press, Unlike a hat, a turban must always cover a Sikh s head. Sikhs consider the turban to be a precious gift from their prophet and many wash their hands before they begin to tie it. The turban reminds a Sikh of his or her duty to maintain and uphold the core beliefs of the Sikh faith, which include working hard and honestly, sharing with needy, and promoting the equality of all humankind. When a Sikh ties a turban, the turban ceases to be just a piece of cloth and becomes one and the same with the Sikh's head. It is a religious commitment without which the believer ceases to be a Sikh I thank you in advance for your cooperation in complying with United States State Department rules and allowing me or my dependent minor to wear a religious turban worn daily in a passport or visa photograph. Sincerely, For more information, please visit 1 This information is also available on the State Department website at: and

2 Frequently Asked Questions 1 of 1 8/12/ :02 PM Frequently Asked Questions FAQ Open All Close All Q: How many passport photos must I submit with my passport application? Q: How many photographs must I submit with my visa application? Q: What type of paper are my photos to be printed on? Q: Do my photos have to be in color? Q: How recent must my photos be? Q: What size must my photos be? Q: What pose should I be in for my photo? Q: How large should my head be in the photo? Q: Can I wear sunglasses or tinted glasses in my photo? Q: Can I wear a uniform in my photo? a: You can only wear a religious uniform in your photo if it is worn daily. In all other cases, you must wear normal street attire. Q: Can a parent or guardian appear in the photo of a minor child? Q: Are photos that are copied from recent driver licenses or other official documents acceptable? Q: Are snapshots, magazine photos, or photos from vending machine acceptable? Q: May photos be taken with a digital camera?

3 Visa Photo Guide Frequently Asked Questions 1 of 3 8/12/ :58 AM Visa Photo Guide Frequently Asked Questions How many photographs are required to be submitted with the visa application? What type of paper are the photographs to be printed on? Do the photos have to be in color? How recent must the photos be? How big must the photos be? What pose should the photos show? How big should the head be in the photo? Can hats or religious headgear be worn for the photo? Can eyeglasses be worn for the photo? Can sunglasses or tinted glasses be worn? Can work uniforms be worn for the photo? Can a parent or guardian appear in the photo of a minor child? Are photos that are copied from recent driver licenses or other official documents acceptable? Are snapshots, magazine photos, or photos from vending machine acceptable? May photos be taken with a digital camera? The confirmation page has an X in the box where the photo should be, what does that mean? How many photographs are required to be submitted with the visa application? One (1) photograph of the visa applicant must be submitted with each visa application (following the instructions in this Photography Guide). What type of paper are the photographs to be printed on? The photos should be printed on thin photo-quality paper. Do the photos have to be in color? Yes, the photos to must be in color. How recent must the photos be? The photos must be no older than 6 months. How big must the photos be?

4 Visa Photo Guide Frequently Asked Questions 2 of 3 8/12/ :58 AM The photos must measure exactly 2 inches by 2 inches. What pose should the photos show? The photo should show a clear, front view, full face of the customer. The customer should be in normal street attire, without hat or dark glasses against a plain white or off-white background. The customer should have a natural expression, mouth closed, and eyes open and looking directly ahead. Photos in which the face of the person being photographed is not in focus will not be accepted. How big should the head be in the photo? The customer''s head, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair, should be between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inches. The head should be centered in the photo. The head of the person being photographed should not be tilted up, down or to the side. It should cover about 50% of the area of the photo. Can hats or religious headgear be worn for the photo? Unless worn daily for religious reasons, all hats or headgear should be removed for the photo. A signed statement from the applicant must be submitted with the application verifying the item is worn daily for religious reasons. In all cases, no item or attire should cover or otherwise obscure any part of the face. Can eyeglasses be worn for the photo? Eyeglasses worn on a daily basis can be worn for the photo. However, there should be no reflections from the eyeglasses that obscures the eyes. Can sunglasses or tinted glasses be worn? Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required. Can work uniforms be worn for the photo? Uniforms, clothing that looks like a uniform, and camouflage attire should not be worn in photographs except in the case of religious attire that is worn daily. Otherwise, normal street attire should be worn. Can a parent or guardian appear in the photo of a minor child? No, the minor child must be the only subject in the photo. Nothing used to support the minor child, whether by mechanical or human means, should be in the camera''s frame. Are photos that are copied from recent driver licenses or other official documents

5 U.S. Passport & U.S. Visa Photography Guidelines for Producing High Quality Photographs for U.S.Travel Documents Technological advances have changed the way passport and visa photos may be taken and the way that the U.S. Department of State processes the photos. This brochure is to help photographers ensure that: Customers are accurately represented and Photos are free of common defects that cause delays The brochure is designed to unfold into a small, wall-mountable poster, useful as a practical, professional reference. Please take the time to become familiar with the information provided. With your help producing good quality photos for U.S. passports and U.S. visas, the Department of State can process the applications efficiently. As a result, we will both have satisfied customers! The Department of State travel information web site ( contains further technical information on passport and visa photograph preparation requirements.

6 Head Position & Background Head should be positioned directly facing the camera Photo should capture from slightly above top of hair to middle of chest Eyes should be open and looking at the camera Eyeglasses should be worn if normally used by the subject Glare on eyeglasses can usually be avoided with a slight upward or downward tilt of the head Background should be plain white or off-white Include headpieces if worn daily for religious purposes; they should not obscure or cast shadows on the eyes or any other part of the face Head Not Facing Camera Head Facing Camera Glare on Glasses No Glare on Glasses Background Not Plain Plain Background