Ethiopian residence permit photo (35×45 mm)

Official Size and Requirements

The service requests two recent passport-size photographs but does not publish measurements^[1]. A 35 × 45 mm crop (about 1.38 × 1.77 inches) is only a practice estimate.

You should always confirm the exact size requirements with the issuing office before you submit your application materials. Rules can change, and checking ahead helps you avoid delays.

The tool above can help you prepare your image to match this common size before you print it out.

Background and Lighting

The authority requests recent passport-sized photographs, but does not give a measured size or background color^[1]. When you take your photo at home, try to use plain, even lighting so your face is clear.

Face a bright window to get natural light on your face. Keep shadows off the wall behind you by standing a step or two away from it.

Ask a friend or family member to take the picture for you instead of using a selfie camera. This keeps your face looking natural and prevents distortion.

Head Height and Camera Position

The service does not publish a head-height measurement for the requested passport-size photographs^[1].

Keep the camera at your exact eye level about one to one and a half meters away from your face. Look straight into the camera lens with your shoulders square.

Keep your head straight and avoid tilting it up or down. A neutral posture helps the person reviewing your application see your full face clearly.

Glasses and Headwear Rules

The official guidelines do not specify whether you can wear glasses in your residence permit photo^[1]. If you normally wear prescription glasses, you may choose to keep them on as long as the frames do not hide your eyes and there is no glare on the lenses.

The official sources also leave headwear permissions unspecified^[1]. If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons, make sure it leaves your face fully visible from your chin to the top of your forehead.

Rules for Children

Many families apply for residency together, but there are important details to know about child applications. No separate child permit photo rules are located in the official guidelines^[1].

The cited instructions do not list separate photo rules for children^[1]. Confirm the requirements for a child or dependent with the service.

You can lay an infant on a plain white or light-colored sheet if they cannot sit up on their own. Take the picture from directly above while keeping the background clean.

Printing Your Photos at a Kiosk

The renewal instructions list two recent passport-size photographs^[1]. They do not specify whether the photographs must be printed or submitted digitally.

You can arrange your cropped photo onto a standard four by six inch photo sheet. Take this digital file to a local photo kiosk and print it out just like an ordinary picture.

Once you print the sheet at the store, use scissors to cut out your photos carefully along the edges. Check that the final cutouts match the correct dimensions before you put them in your application folder.

Common Reasons for Refusal

Applications can face delays or rejections if your printed photos are blurry, dark, or taken with poor lighting. Always check your printed copies against basic quality standards before you hand them in to the office.

Remember that the authority makes the final decision on whether to accept your photos^[1]. Taking your time to prepare a clear, well-lit photo gives you the best chance of a smooth application process.