Kenya passport photo rules from the Directorate of Immigration Services
Kenyan passport photographs are governed by the Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS) within the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, operating under the Immigration Act (Cap 172). The canonical specification is published on the eCitizen immigration portal and applies to the ePassport across ordinary, diplomatic, and service categories. The same square photo specification also covers eVisa applications submitted through the eCitizen channel.
DIS sets a strict standard for what the applicant must look like in the final image: a neutral expression with the mouth closed, eyes open and looking directly at the lens, both ears fully visible, the forehead uncovered, no spectacles, and no earrings, necklaces, nose studs, or earphones. Headwear is prohibited except where worn daily on religious grounds, and even then the chin, nose, eyes, eyebrows, and enough of the forehead to show the shape of the face must remain uncovered. Clothing must be decent, with strappy tops, strapless tops, tank tops, spaghetti straps, and halter necks specifically prohibited.
Enforcement is strict. Photographs that fail any DIS requirement are rejected at the application stage, delaying issuance of the passport. Diaspora applicants submitting through Kenyan missions abroad face the same subject-side rules, and several embassies enforce them rigorously, including the explicit ban on US-style 2×2 inch prints for consular submissions.
Kenya passport photo requirements set by the Directorate of Immigration Services
The Directorate of Immigration Services publishes a detailed subject standard for the Kenyan ePassport. The rules below cover everything you need to control on the day of your photo.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionThe Directorate of Immigration Services requires a relaxed, neutral expression. Smiling, frowning, and tightened lips are not accepted.
- Mouth closedKeep the mouth closed without pressing the lips together. Teeth must not be visible.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be fully open and looking straight at the camera. Squinting, blinking, and heavy-lidded looks are rejected.
- Frontal head positionFace the camera straight on with the head level. No tilt, no turn, and no looking up or down.
- Square shouldersShoulders must be squared to the camera and not twisted to one side.
Eyewear & lenses
- Eyeglasses prohibitedGlasses of any kind are not permitted in a Kenyan passport photo. The Directorate of Immigration Services publishes no medical exception, so prescription frames must also be removed.
- Sunglasses and tintsSunglasses and any tinted or coloured lenses are not accepted.
- Contact lensesClear prescription contact lenses are permitted. Coloured, decorative, or patterned cosmetic lenses are not accepted.
Hair
- Forehead visibleThe forehead must be uncovered to the extent that the shape of the face is apparent. Hair must not fall across the brow.
- Bangs and fringesFringes that reach the eyebrows or cover the eyes are not accepted.
- Hair behind the earsHair must be tucked behind both ears so that the ears remain fully visible.
- Weaves and extensionsWeaves and hair extensions are explicitly permitted by the Directorate of Immigration Services provided they do not cover the forehead or any part of the face.
- WigsWigs are permitted if they are in natural hair colours and the facial features remain clearly visible.
- Decorative hair accessoriesDecorative clips, bands, ribbons, and ornaments are not accepted.
Ears
- Both ears fully visibleBoth ears must be fully visible in the frame. This is one of the most strictly enforced Kenyan requirements and a frequent cause of rejection.
Headwear
- No hats or capsHats, caps, and general headgear are not permitted.
- Religious head coveringsReligious head coverings worn daily are considered case by case. The chin, nose, eyes, eyebrows, and enough of the forehead to show the shape of the face must remain uncovered.
- Shadow from headwearReligious headwear must not cast any shadow across the face.
Jewelry & accessories
- EarringsEarrings must be removed for Kenyan passport photos, as stated in the consular guidance issued by Kenyan missions.
- NecklacesNecklaces must be removed.
- Nose rings and studsNose rings and nose studs must be removed.
- Earphones and headphonesEarphones, headphones, and any in-ear devices must be removed before the photo is taken.
Cosmetics
- Heavy makeupHeavy or altering makeup is not accepted. Natural, light makeup that does not change facial features is fine.
- False eyelashesFalse eyelashes are not accepted, particularly where they cast shadows over the eyes.
Clothing
- Modesty ruleStrappy tops, strapless tops, spaghetti straps, tank tops, and halter necks are strictly prohibited. This is one of the most frequently cited Kenyan rejection reasons.
- Recommended attireSolid, collared, or high-neck professional clothing is recommended.
- Avoid pale topsVery pale or white tops should be avoided so the clothing remains distinct in the frame.
- Uniforms prohibitedCivil service, military, and police uniforms are not permitted.
Photo quality
- Sharp focusThe face must be in sharp focus with no motion blur from the subject moving.
- No red-eyeRed-eye is not accepted. Software red-eye correction is also prohibited, so the photo must be retaken if red-eye appears.
- No shadows from headwearIf religious headwear is worn, it must not cast shadows on the face. Shadows under a brim or fold are a common rejection cause.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height must occupy roughly 73–81% of the photo height.
- 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.
Kenya accepts more than one size — we generate them all.
Kenya publishes more than one acceptable format depending on where you submit your application — domestic passport offices, the official online portal, and regional consulates abroad can each call for a different print or pixel size. We render every variant below from the same source photo, so the head sits at the same physical position across files, and each one arrives in your order email with a clear filename indicating which submission channel it's for.
Kenya Passport 35×45 mm
Primary · Print + DigitalKenya's official format — the same file works for both printed in-person submissions and the online portal upload.
Kenya Passport 2×2 in
Print + DigitalUS-style 2×2 in size used by US-based consulates and visa agencies.
Kenya Passport 2×2.5 in
Print + DigitalAlternate accepted size — works as both an in-person print and an online-portal upload.
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 Directorate of Immigration Services has not published separate photo rules for infants or children. The points below reflect the practical leniency applied to the youngest applicants while keeping the official Kenyan standard intact.
Infants (under 12 months)
Kenya publishes no formal infant exemptions, so the adult rules apply with limited practical leniency.
- ExpressionA fully neutral expression is not required. A relaxed mouth and natural face are acceptable.
- EyesEyes should be open and visible. Closed eyes remain a rejection risk and are not a published exception.
- Gaze and head anglePerfect forward gaze is not required, but the face must still be presented frontally and be fully visible.
- Solo subjectNo other people, hands, or supporting objects may appear in the frame.
Country-specific details to know.
A few Kenyan rules stand out from the rest of the world and deserve special attention.
Channel bifurcation
Kenya uses two different photo formats depending on where you apply. Domestic eCitizen applications and eVisas use a 55 by 55 mm square photo, while consular submissions made through Kenyan embassies use a 50.8 by 63.5 mm rectangular photo. The Kenya Embassy in Washington DC explicitly states that US-standard 2 by 2 inch photos are not accepted for consular submissions.
No medical exception for glasses
Unlike many countries, Kenya publishes no doctor’s-letter pathway for keeping glasses on. Prescription frames must be removed by every applicant without exception.
Weaves and extensions permitted
The Directorate of Immigration Services is one of the few authorities that explicitly permits weaves and hair extensions in passport photos, provided they do not cover the forehead or any part of the face.
Print and reproduction rules
Scanned prints and colour photocopies are explicitly rejected by the Directorate of Immigration Services. Prints must be on photographic paper, free of ink marks, creases, and staple marks, with the back of the photo left blank.
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).
- 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.