Burkina Faso ID and Passport Photo Guide
Get your photos ready for official documents in Burkina Faso using the simple tool above.
Documents Covered on This Page
This guide covers several official documents you may need for travel and identification in Burkina Faso. You can prepare photos for the Burkinabè passport photo (35×45 mm), the Burkinabè child passport photo (35×45 mm), and the Burkinabè national identity card photo (35×45 mm).
You can also format photos for the Burkinabè driving licence photo (35×45 mm), the Burkinabè international driving permit photo (35×45 mm), and the Burkina Faso visitor visa photo (35×45 mm). Each document has specific rules for how you submit the final picture.
Photo Sizes and Official Rules
Most documents share a common size of 35×45 mm, which is widely used across different applications. For the Burkinabè passport, child passport, national identity card, driving licence, and international driving permit, the size is a common size with no single official size[1][2][3].
The listed visitor visa photo size is 35×45 mm[4]. The cited sources do not give a head-height measurement for these photos[1][2][3][4].
Submission Methods: Printed versus Digital
How you submit your photo depends entirely on the specific document you are applying for. The Burkinabè passport, child passport, driving licence, and international driving permit require printed photos[1][3].
The listed CNIB photo submission method is digital. The visitor visa photo is listed for both printed and digital submission.
How to Take Your Photo at Home
Setting up a home photo space is simple if you follow a few basic steps. Stand in front of a plain background, such as a white or off-white wall, so nothing distracts from your face. Make sure the room has bright, even lighting from the front or side to avoid dark shadows under your nose or chin.
Ask a friend or family member to help take the picture instead of trying to use a front-facing camera for a selfie. Keep the camera lens at your exact eye level and stand about one to one and a half metres away. Look straight at the lens with a neutral expression and your mouth closed.
Checking Your Crop and Print Sheet
Once you take your picture, upload it to the browser tool above to set the correct frame. Crop the image so your head and shoulders fit nicely inside the 35×45 mm dimensions.
The tool places your cropped image onto a standard 4x6-inch print sheet template. You can save this sheet and take it to a local photo kiosk or print it on a color home printer. Check that the final printed face size matches your expectations before cutting the paper.
Before You Go to the Office
Before you visit the office to submit your application, gather all your paperwork and check the photo requirements one last time. If you need printed photos, cut them carefully along the border lines using clean scissors. Bring a few extra copies just in case the office asks for more than one picture.
If the authority takes the photo on-site, you can still prepare by dressing in plain clothing that contrasts with a light background. Avoid wearing hats, large headphones, or tinted glasses that hide your facial features.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many people run into trouble because of poor lighting or shadows on the face. Always turn off flash if it causes bright red-eye or harsh background spots. Natural light near a large window works very well during daytime hours.
Another common error is tilting the head or smiling too broadly. Keep your head straight and maintain a calm, neutral look. Check that your eyes are fully open and looking directly at the camera lens before you finalize the crop.
Frequently asked questions
What size do I need for a Burkinabè passport photo?
A 35×45 mm photo is listed here as a common size; the cited passport guide asks for recent identity photos but does not specify their dimensions[1].
Are digital or printed photos required for a national identity card?
The listed submission method for the Burkinabè national identity card photo is digital.
What is the official head height requirement for these photos?
Can I submit both printed and digital photos for a visitor visa?
The listed submission methods for the Burkina Faso visitor visa photo are printed and digital[4].
How do I print my photos at home or at a store?
You can use the tool above to place your cropped 35×45 mm photo onto a 4x6-inch template, which you can then print at any standard photo kiosk.
What should I wear for my ID photo?
Wear simple clothing in a solid color that contrasts with your background. Avoid uniforms or clothes that match the color of the wall behind you.