Angola passport photo rules from the Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros
Angola’s passport photo specification is set by the Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros (SME) under the Ministério do Interior, with consular emissions handled by the Ministério das Relações Exteriores (MIREX). The canonical format is a 30×40 mm colour image on a pure white background, captured within the last six months and showing a neutral, fully frontal pose.
The same 30×40 mm format is used for the Passaporte Ordinário, the Passaporte Diplomático, the Bilhete de Identidade, and SME e-Visa submissions through smevisa.gov.ao. Digital uploads to the SME portal must be JPEG files between 381×496 and 571×744 pixels and no larger than 200 KB. Consular posts in Lisbon, Porto, and Houston are known to apply the rules strictly, including the explicit prohibitions on braids and informal attire.
A photo that fails any element of the SME specification will be refused at the counter or rejected during e-Visa validation, which delays the application and forces a retake. Applicants should treat every published rule as enforced, including the requirement that infants have their eyes open for passport submissions.
Angolan passport photo requirements
The Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros (SME) enforces strict rules on how the applicant must appear in the photo. The points below cover what you control in front of the camera.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionHold a neutral expression with the mouth firmly closed. Smiling, frowning, raised eyebrows, and any teeth visible are grounds for rejection.
- Eyes open and forwardBoth eyes must be fully open and looking directly at the lens. Squinting or contrived expressions are not accepted.
- Square frontal poseFace the camera straight on with no head tilt or rotation. The SME requires a fully frontal alignment with equal visibility of both sides of the face.
- Shoulders squareKeep shoulders level and squared to the camera. The top of the shoulders must appear in the photo.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesGlasses are prohibited. Angolan consulates routinely reject photos showing any frames, including clear prescription eyewear. A medical exception applies only when there is no lens reflection and the frames do not cover the eyes.
- Sunglasses and tinted lensesSunglasses, tinted lenses, and transition lenses are not permitted under any circumstances.
- Contact lensesClear prescription contact lenses are allowed. Colored or pupil-enlarging cosmetic lenses are prohibited.
Hair
- Forehead and face visibilityHair must not cover the forehead, eyes, eyebrows, cheeks, or jawline. The full facial oval must be exposed.
- Bangs and fringesBangs that fall across the eyebrows or eyes must be pinned back before the photo is taken.
- Braids and dreadlocksThick braids (tranças), dreadlocks (rastas), and elaborate extensions are prohibited. This rule is actively enforced at consulates in Lisbon, Porto, and Houston.
- Long hair tied backLong hair must be tied back if it would otherwise obscure the ears, neck, or shoulders.
- Wigs and hairpiecesWigs are accepted only when worn daily or for medical reasons. They are not permitted solely for the photo.
Ears
- Full ear visibilityBoth ears must be fully visible. Hair should be tucked behind the ears to satisfy this requirement.
Headwear
- General prohibitionHats, caps, and fashion head coverings are not permitted.
- Religious and medical exceptionsHead coverings worn for religious or medical reasons are permitted provided the full facial oval from chin to forehead remains visible and the fabric casts no shadow on the face.
- Head covering appearanceAny permitted head covering must be a solid color with no patterns and must contrast with the white background.
Jewelry & accessories
- EarringsSmall studs are tolerated. Large, dangling, or hoop earrings are discouraged and may cause rejection.
- NecklacesThin necklaces are tolerated provided they do not obscure the neckline.
- Facial piercingsNose rings, lip rings, eyebrow rings, and other visible facial piercings must be removed before the photo.
- Hair accessories and headphonesClips, ribbons, headbands, and headphones are not permitted in the photo.
Cosmetics
- Makeup levelMakeup must be modest and natural. It must not alter the base skin tone or facial structure.
- False eyelashes and heavy contouringFalse eyelashes, dramatic eyeliner, and heavy contouring are prohibited because they interfere with biometric mapping.
- Facial tattoosPermanent facial tattoos are accepted as they appear. Cosmetic masking that alters facial structure is not permitted.
Clothing
- Men’s attireMen must wear at minimum a collared dress shirt. A suit and tie (fato e gravata) is required at consular submissions and is actively enforced at major posts.
- Women’s attireWomen must wear modest clothing (roupa composta). Bare shoulders, strapless tops, tank tops, and low or cleavage-revealing necklines are not accepted.
- Clothing colorClothing must contrast with the white background. Plain white tops should be avoided as they wash out against the background.
- UniformsMilitary, police, and other institutional uniforms are not permitted without official authorization.
Photo quality
- Red-eyeRed-eye is grounds for rejection. The SME does not accept software-corrected red-eye, so a retake is required.
- Motion blurThe subject must remain still. Any motion blur on the face causes rejection.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 29 mm and 34 mm (roughly 72–85% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 21 mm and 28 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- Top margin (from the top of the head to the top edge): 2.4–3 mm.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame, with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Shoulders must be square to the camera and both visible. No three-quarter angles or rotated torso.
- The full face, from chin to crown, must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
How recent the photo must be.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Photos for infants and young children.
The SME applies the strict adult rules to most applicants, with limited adjustments for infants.
Infants (0–12 months)
Infants are still held to the strict expression and eye-open rules for passport submissions, with only the pose tolerance relaxed.
- Eyes open requiredEyes must be open for passport applications. The relaxed eyes-closed allowance on the E-Visa portal does not extend to passport submissions.
- Neutral expression and closed mouthThe infant must show a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Pacifiers are not permitted in the frame.
- Subject isolationHands, arms, and any supporting adults must be completely out of the frame. The infant may be laid on a plain white sheet or placed in a car seat covered with a white sheet.
Children (1–12 years)
Standard adult rules apply with one practical relaxation.
- Standard expression and gazeChildren must hold a neutral expression with the mouth closed and look directly at the camera.
- AttireThe suit and tie requirement is relaxed for boys. A collared shirt is still recommended.
Country-specific details to know.
A few Angola-specific points are worth flagging before you submit.
Formal attire enforcement
Angola is unusually strict about dress. Consular posts in Lisbon, Porto, and Houston actively reject photos that do not meet the suit-and-tie standard for men and the modest-attire standard for women. Dress as you would for a formal interview.
Photo recency
The photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required after any significant change in appearance, including weight change, facial surgery, or new visible facial tattoos.
Number of prints
Ordinary passport applications and most visa categories require three identical prints. Tourist visa applications require two. Prints must be on photographic paper, with the back left blank.
E-Visa vs passport strictness
The SME E-Visa portal applies slightly more lenient standards than the consular passport process for infant eyes and clothing. Photos prepared for an E-Visa should not be reused for a passport application without checking them against the stricter passport rules.
As easy as snap, upload, done.
You take a quick picture. We do the spec work and tell you immediately if anything needs a retake.
Free to check. You only pay when you keep it.
Print & paper standards.
If you submit a printed photo with a paper application, the print itself has to meet acceptance-facility standards in addition to the rules above.
- High-quality photographic paper (matte or glossy finish).
- Inkjet printing is not accepted. Use a professional photo lab.
- No visible pixels, banding, dithering, or printer artifacts.
- The print must be undamaged: no creases, holes, smudges, staples, or pinholes.
- Do not write on the back of the photo.
- 3 identical prints are required.