Beninese Passport, Visa, and Identity Photos
Get clear rules and exact dimensions for your Beninese passport, visa, and identity documents. Use the tool above to crop your photos correctly.
Covered Beninese Documents
This page covers several official Beninese documents that require a physical or digital photograph for your official applications. These documents include the Beninese ordinary biometric passport photo, the biometric national identity card photo, and the personal identification certificate photo[1][2][3].
You will also find photo details here for the driving licence photo, the international driving permit photo, and the resident card photo[4][5][6]. Finally, you can prepare pictures for the visitor or tourist visa, the professional visa, and the study visa[7][8]. Knowing the exact document requirements helps you avoid delays when you submit your paperwork to the local offices.
Photo Sizes and Dimensions
Almost all Beninese identity documents share a standard photo size of 35x45 mm[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. This uniform dimension applies to your passport, national identity card, identification certificate, and driving licence[1][2][3][4].
It also covers your international driving permit, resident card, and all available visa types[5][6][7][8]. For all these listed documents, the exact head height is not set by the official authorities, meaning there is no mandatory pixel or millimeter measurement for the distance from your chin to the top of your head[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Always measure your photo carefully to match the millimeter width and height requirements before you finish editing.
Official Size Status and Authority Rules
The Beninese ordinary biometric passport photo has a strict official size requirement set directly by the government[1]. For other documents, such as the biometric national identity card and the personal identification certificate, the 35x45 mm dimension functions as a common size rather than a single official size mandated by ANIP[2][3].
The driving licence and international driving permit use 35×45 mm as a common size, with no single official size[4][5]. The resident card and visa photos also use 35×45 mm as a common size, with no single official size[6][7][8].
Submission Methods for Printed and Digital Files
Different Beninese authorities require different submission methods for your application photos. You must submit both printed and digital versions for the ordinary biometric passport, the personal identification certificate, and the driving licence[1][3][4].
The international driving permit, tourist visa, professional visa, and study visa allow printed or digital submission[5][7][8]. The biometric national identity card and resident card require printed photos[2][6].
Practical Tips for Taking Your Photo at Home
Stand facing a bright window to get natural light on your face without casting harsh shadows behind you. Keep the camera at your exact eye level, placed about one to one and a half meters away from your face.
Ask a friend or family member to take the picture instead of holding the camera yourself to avoid image distortion. Wear everyday clothing that provides good contrast with your background so your shoulders and outline remain clear. Maintain a calm, neutral facial expression with your mouth completely closed.
Avoiding Common Photo Mistakes
Do not wear hats, caps, or head coverings unless you wear them daily for religious reasons. Even in those cases, your full face from your chin to the top of your forehead must remain completely visible.
Check that your eyes are open, looking directly at the camera lens, and not covered by hair or heavy frames. Always check the latest guidelines from the specific Beninese agency handling your application before submitting your final materials to reduce the risk of rejection.
Frequently asked questions
What size photo do I need for a Benin passport?
The Beninese ordinary biometric passport photo size is 35x45 mm, and you must submit both printed and digital versions[1].
Are digital photos required for a Benin identity card?
No, the biometric national identity card photo requires printed submissions only, sized at 35x45 mm[2].
What is the head height requirement for Benin ID photos?
Can I use the same photo size for a Benin driving licence and visa?
Where can I print my Beninese passport photo?
You can use the tool above to format your photo into a standard 4x6-inch sheet, which you can print at any local photo kiosk.