Ethiopia Passport, Visa, and ID Photo Guidelines
Get clear details for taking and formatting your Ethiopian application photos at home. Use the tool above to crop your pictures easily.
Overview of Ethiopian Document Photos
This page lists common photo sizes for nine Ethiopian documents.
The page covers passport, ID, driving licence, visa, residence permit, and laissez-passer photos. The cited sources do not set one official photo size for every document.
Because different government bodies handle these documents, understanding the specific submission format for each item is very important for every applicant.
Passport and Child Passport Sizing
A common photo size for an Ethiopian passport is 35×45 mm[1]. The cited notice does not establish a head-height rule.
A 35×45 mm size is listed as common for child and baby passport photos[1]. The listed submission options are printed and digital[1].
National Digital ID and Local ID Photos
A common Fayda ID photo size is 35×45 mm[2]. The cited source does not establish that the application requires that size or is submitted digitally.
A common size for a kebele ID photo is 35×45 mm. The cited sources do not establish a required submission format for kebele ID applications.
Driving Licences and Residence Permits
A common size for an Ethiopian driving-licence photo is 35×45 mm[3]. The cited regulation does not establish the claimed printed format or photo practice for every region.
A common size for a residence-permit photo is 35×45 mm. The listed submission method is printed[4].
Visas and Laissez-Passer Travel Documents
A common photo size for an Ethiopian tourist e-Visa or student visa is 35×45 mm[5][6]. The cited sources do not establish the submission formats stated here.
A common size for an Ethiopian laissez-passer photo is 35×45 mm[7]. Source[8] concerns U.S. visa reciprocity and civil documents; it does not establish Ethiopian photo rules.
Practical Tips for Taking Your Photo
You do not need a professional photo studio to take a valid identification photo for your paperwork. Stand about one meter away from a plain background to get the best possible result without shadows.
Ask a friend to take the picture while keeping the camera strictly at your eye level to prevent facial distortion. Maintain a neutral facial expression, keep your mouth closed, avoid smiling widely, and look directly into the camera lens.
You can use the tool above to crop your picture to the correct dimensions right in your browser.
Checking Your Photo
Before you submit your picture, look closely at the lighting and background. Make sure there are no harsh shadows behind your head or on your face.
Check that your eyes are open, clearly visible, and not covered by hair or heavy eyeglass frames. Your shoulders should be square to the camera before you finalize the crop.
Before You Go
If you need printed copies for physical offices or embassy visits, print your cropped photo on high-quality matte or glossy photo paper at standard resolution.
Keep your prints flat in an envelope so they do not bend or get scratched before you hand them to the official clerk.
Frequently asked questions
What size photo do I need for an Ethiopian passport?
You need a photo that measures 35×45 mm, which is the common size used for Ethiopian passports[1].
Can I submit digital photos for a tourist e-Visa?
Tourist e-Visa applications use a digital photo submission. A 35×45 mm size is listed as common[5].
What is the head height requirement for Ethiopian photos?
The official head height requirement is not set, but your face must be centered and clearly visible in the 35×45 mm frame[1].
Are driving licence photos submitted digitally or printed?
A 35×45 mm size and printed submission are listed for Ethiopian driving licence photos; the cited source does not establish these as requirements for every region[3].
How do I format my photo easily?
You can use the tool above to crop your picture to the correct 35×45 mm dimensions right in your browser.
Do child passport applications use the same size?
Yes, child and baby passport applications use the same 35×45 mm common size format[1].