Myanmar passport photo rules from the Ministry of Immigration and Population
Myanmar’s passport and eVisa photograph standard is set by the Ministry of Immigration and Population (MOIP) and published through the official eVisa and eStay portals. The same specification governs tourist eVisa, business eVisa, and stay extension uploads, so a single compliant image works across MOIP’s online channels.
MOIP requires a recent color photograph against a plain white background, with the full face and upper shoulders visible, a neutral expression, eyes open, and spectacles removed. The portal explicitly rejects black and white images and photographs copied or scanned from other documents. Photographs must have been taken within the last three months, one of the strictest recency windows in the region.
Submissions that miss any element of the MOIP specification are refused at upload or flagged during consular review, which delays visa issuance and forces a reapplication with a corrected image.
Myanmar passport photo requirements
The Ministry of Immigration and Population sets the standard for eVisa, consular visa, and passport photographs. The rules below cover what the subject must look like in the final image.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionHold a neutral facial expression. Smiling, frowning, and squinting are not accepted by MOIP.
- Mouth closedThe mouth must be closed with no teeth visible.
- Eyes openBoth eyes must be fully open and looking directly at the camera.
- Facing forwardFace the camera straight on. Angled, tilted, or three-quarter poses are rejected.
- Shoulders squareBoth upper shoulders must be visible, level, and squared to the camera.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesSpectacles must be taken off for the photograph. MOIP states this as an absolute rule with no medical exception documented.
- Sunglasses and tintsSunglasses, tinted lenses, and photochromic lenses are not permitted.
- Contact lensesClear prescription contact lenses are permitted. Coloured, decorative, or cosmetic lenses are prohibited.
Hair
- Face must be visibleHair must not cover the eyes, eyebrows, cheeks, or jawline. The full face must be unobstructed.
- Bangs and fringesFringes must sit above the eyebrows and must not fall across the eyes.
- Long hairLong hair should be tucked behind the shoulders so the full face remains visible.
- Wigs and hairpiecesWigs are acceptable only if worn as part of the applicant’s daily appearance.
Ears
- Ear visibilityEars should be visible in the frame. Consular desks scrutinise ear visibility closely, so tuck hair back to expose them.
Headwear
- General ruleHats, caps, headbands, and other non-religious head coverings are not permitted.
- Religious and medical headwearReligious or medical head coverings are accepted provided the full facial oval, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, remains clearly visible.
Jewelry & accessories
- EarringsSmall stud earrings are tolerated. Large, dangling, or reflective earrings should be removed.
- NecklacesThick or chunky necklaces should be removed. Thin chains that do not draw attention are acceptable.
- Headphones and earbudsHeadphones, wireless earbuds, and over-ear devices are not permitted in the photograph.
- Hair accessoriesDecorative clips, bows, headbands, and ribbons must be removed.
Cosmetics
- MakeupOnly natural makeup is acceptable. Heavy contouring or makeup that alters the applicant’s facial features will cause rejection.
- False eyelashesFalse eyelashes are not permitted because they alter the eye shape.
Clothing
- Formal attireMOIP requires formal attire. Tank tops, deep necklines, and exposed shoulders are not acceptable.
- Avoid white clothingWhite tops should be avoided because they blend into the mandatory white background and cause a contrast failure.
- UniformsCivilian, military, or service uniforms are not permitted on standard passport and visa applications.
Photo quality
- Red-eyePhotos showing red-eye are rejected. The applicant must be re-photographed because software red-eye correction is not accepted.
- Face shadowsHeavy shadows across the face, including those cast by a hat brim or harsh overhead light, are grounds for rejection.
- Motion blurThe subject must remain still. Motion blur on the face or shoulders is not accepted.
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 33 mm and 36 mm (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.
How recent the photo must be.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last three 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.
MOIP does not publish a relaxed standard for infants or young children. The rules below apply to minors who travel on a parent’s passport.
Children under 7 on a parent’s passport
Children under seven who share a parent’s passport do not file a separate eVisa application, but a photograph must still be uploaded for them.
- Separate photo requiredA photo of the child must be attached to the parent’s eVisa application even though no separate application is filed.
- Minor sectionThe child’s name and date of birth must be entered in the minor section of the parent’s application.
- Eyes openThe child’s eyes must be open and looking at the camera. MOIP does not publish an infant exception for closed eyes.
- Child alone in frameNo other person, hand, or supporting object may appear in the photograph.
Country-specific details to know.
A few features of Myanmar’s spec catch applicants off guard.
Recency window
The photograph must have been taken within the last three months. This is among the strictest recency rules in the world, and older photos that would pass for other countries will be rejected by MOIP.
Absolute glasses ban
MOIP’s instruction that ’spectacles must be taken off’ is absolute. Even clear, glare-free prescription glasses are not accepted, and no medical exception is published.
Colour photo only
Black and white photographs are explicitly rejected by the MOIP eStay portal. The photograph must be in full colour.
No scanned or copied photos
Photographs copied or digitally scanned from another document are not acceptable. The image must originate from a fresh capture of the applicant.
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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.
- Photo 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.