Ethiopia
Photo requirements for passports, visas, and ID cards. Includes dimensions, background rules, and biometric requirements for 1 document type.
Helpful pages for document photos in Ethiopia
Use these pages to move from country-level requirements to a specific document format, troubleshooting help, and print guidance.
Main document requirements
Open the main document requirements page for this country to see dimensions, background rules, and face-position guidance.
Why photos get rejected
Fix the most common background, framing, and expression problems.
Passport Photo Size Guide
Compare this country's dimensions with other common formats.
How to print passport photos
Print at home or at a pharmacy without scaling errors.
About photo requirements
When applying for an Ethiopian passport, meeting the strict standards set by the Immigration and Citizenship Service is essential for a smooth process. These regulations ensure that identification documents remain secure and universally recognised. By adhering to the official guidelines for your Ethiopia passport photo, you minimise the risk of application delays and ensure your travel documents are processed promptly by the authorities.
The mandatory size for an Ethiopian passport photo is 35mm by 45mm, featuring a plain white background without shadows. Applicants must maintain a neutral facial expression with both eyes open, looking directly into the camera lens. Glasses are generally discouraged to avoid glare, and head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical reasons, provided they do not obscure facial features. Following these precise specifications is critical for compliance.
See the full 30 × 40 mm §t:2873a4b8§ specifications for exact dimensions, face position, and background rules.
For online applications, the Immigration and Citizenship Service requires a high-quality digital file that matches the physical print standards. The image must be in JPEG format, typically under a specific file size limit to ensure successful uploading to the official portal. You can easily prepare a compliant image at home using idpic.app to ensure your digital file meets all the necessary technical resolution and cropping requirements before submission.
Common issues
Common reasons for rejection include poor lighting that creates shadows on the white background or an uneven skin tone. Many applicants also face issues due to incorrect head positioning or expressions that are not strictly neutral, such as smiling or frowning. Additionally, submitting low-resolution images or photos that have been poorly cropped from larger group shots frequently leads to the Immigration Authority requesting a new, compliant submission.
Learn more about common passport photo rejection reasons and how to fix them, or check our passport photo size guide for a global comparison.
Local tips
While professional photo studios are available in major cities like Addis Ababa, they can sometimes be expensive or produce inconsistent quality. To save money, you can take your own photo against a white wall in natural daylight, ensuring there are no distractions in the frame. Always check that your ears are visible if possible, as this is often preferred by officials to verify identity during the biometric verification process.
For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our DIY passport photo guide or learn how to print passport photos at home.
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