Somalia Residence Permit Photo Guide
Prepare your photos for a Somalia residence permit application with clear, practical steps and official size guidelines.
Official Size and Dimensions
The Stay Permit checklist asks for two passport-size photos for listed applicant categories[1]. It does not give their dimensions. The 35×45 mm (1.38×1.77 in) crop is a practical suggestion, not an official specification.
Since there is no single official size set by the government, you should confirm the exact measurements with your issuing office or organisation before you submit your application. You can use the tool above to crop your image to this common size and check your framing.
Submission Requirements and Context
The official Stay Permit checklist requires you to submit printed photos[1]. The checklist applies to several applicant categories, including foreign mission workers and refugees[1].
The agency’s services page lists temporary and permanent residence permits[2]. Confirm any photo requirements with the agency; the listed sources do not say that it takes the photo itself.
Background and Lighting
The Stay Permit checklist asks for two passport-size photos but does not state dimensions or a background color[1].
When you take your photo at home, find a plain wall without patterns or textures. Good lighting helps keep shadows off the background. Stand a short distance away from the wall so you do not cast a dark shadow behind your head.
Head Height and Framing
The Stay Permit checklist does not specify head height or photo dimensions[1]. For a practice photo, you can center your head in the frame.
Position the camera directly at your eye level. Keep the camera about one to one and a half meters away from your face to avoid distortion. Make sure your whole head, from the top to the chin, fits clearly inside the frame with space on both sides.
Glasses, Headwear and Expression
The Stay Permit checklist does not specify rules for glasses, headwear, or facial expression[1].
For a practice photo, keep your face visible and avoid glare on glasses. The official checklist does not specify these photo rules[1].
Taking Your Photo at Home
You can take your photo at home using a digital camera or a smartphone. Face a bright window for even, natural lighting on your face. Ask someone else to take the picture instead of holding the camera yourself, because arm stretch causes distortion.
Check that your shoulders are level and your posture is straight. Once you capture a clear image, you can upload it to the tool above to crop it to the standard 35 × 45 mm dimensions.
Printing Your Photos at a Kiosk
Since the application requires printed photos[1], you need to turn your cropped image into a physical print. You can arrange your cropped photo onto a standard 4×6-inch photo sheet.
Save the sheet to your phone or a USB drive. Take the file to a local print kiosk that handles ordinary 4×6-inch photo paper. Print the sheet at standard size without adding zoom or photo-fit filters, then cut out the individual photos carefully using scissors or a paper cutter.
Frequently asked questions
What size should my Somalia residence permit photo be?
The Stay Permit checklist asks for two passport-size photos but does not give their dimensions[1]. The 35×45 mm crop is a practical suggestion, not an official specification.
Do I need printed or digital photos for the application?
The official checklist requires printed photos[1].
Does the government specify a background color?
The official Stay Permit checklist requests two passport-size photos but does not state dimensions or a background color[1].
Are glasses allowed in the photo?
The Stay Permit checklist does not specify rules for glasses[1].