Mozambique passport photo rules from SENAMI
The Mozambican passport photo is issued under the authority of the Serviço Nacional de Migração (SENAMI), part of the Ministério do Interior, which operates the biometric passport (PEM) programme and the national eVisa portal at evisa.gov.mz. The canonical print size is 35×45 mm in colour against a plain white background, and the same specification is applied to visa applications submitted through Mozambican embassies and consulates.
Consular missions, including the Embassy in Lisbon and the Embassy in Washington, publish the detailed biometric expectations: a strictly frontal pose, neutral expression with the mouth closed, both ears and the forehead clearly visible, and no eyeglasses. Clothing must be dark coloured, and white tops are explicitly forbidden so the subject separates cleanly from the white background. Photos must have been taken within the last six months.
Mozambican consular officers reject photographs that do not meet these requirements, which delays passport issuance and visa processing. Perfect Passport produces a 35×45 mm image built to SENAMI specification, and our money-back guarantee covers you if the photo is rejected for compliance reasons.
Mozambique passport photo requirements
SENAMI and Mozambican consular missions enforce a strict set of subject-side rules. Meet every point below to avoid rejection at submission.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionHold a strictly neutral expression. Smiling, laughing, frowning, raised eyebrows (sobrancelhas levantadas), and squinting (sobrolho franzido) are explicitly forbidden by the Mozambican consular rules.
- Mouth closedThe mouth must be firmly closed with no teeth visible.
- Eyes openBoth eyes must be fully open and clearly visible, looking directly at the camera.
- Frontal head positionFace the camera squarely with the head upright. No yaw, pitch, or roll. Portrait or over-the-shoulder poses are rejected.
- Square shouldersShoulders must be square to the camera, not angled or turned.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesGlasses are prohibited. The Lisbon embassy states ’Não é permitido o uso de óculos’ and the Washington embassy instructs ’no glasses’. No published medical exception exists.
- Sunglasses and tinted lensesSunglasses and any tinted lenses are not permitted.
- Contact lensesClear prescription contact lenses are acceptable. Cosmetic or coloured contact lenses that alter natural eye colour are not permitted.
Hair
- Forehead visibilityThe forehead must be clearly visible. The Lisbon embassy rule states ’A testa e as orelhas devem estar bem visíveis’.
- Bangs and fringesBangs that cover the eyebrows or fall into the eyes are not permitted.
- Hair off the faceHair must not obscure any part of the face. Voluminous hair should be tied back so the face is unobstructed.
- Hair accessoriesHair accessories such as clips, bands, and ribbons are not permitted.
- WigsWigs are permitted only if worn daily for medical or cosmetic reasons and they do not alter facial structure.
Ears
- Both ears visibleBoth ears must be fully visible. Tuck hair behind the ears if necessary to meet this requirement.
Headwear
- General prohibitionHats, caps, and headscarves are not permitted. The Lisbon embassy forbids ’chapéus, bonés, lenços na cabeça’.
- Religious head coveringsReligious head coverings such as a hijab are permitted when worn daily, provided the full facial oval from chin to forehead is visible and the covering casts no shadows on the face.
- Fabric and patternAny permitted head covering must be plain, unpatterned, and a single colour.
Jewelry & accessories
- Earrings and necklacesSmall, discreet earrings and necklaces are permitted if they do not obscure the face, cast shadows, or cause glare.
- Facial piercingsFacial piercings are permitted if they do not produce significant flash reflection and are not excessively large.
- Headphones and earbudsHeadphones, earbuds, and similar devices must be removed. Hearing aids may be worn if normally used.
Cosmetics
- MakeupMakeup must look natural and match everyday appearance. Heavy contouring that alters facial features or shape is not permitted.
- False eyelashesFalse eyelashes are not permitted when they obscure the natural shape of the eyes.
- Facial tattoosPermanent facial tattoos are accepted as part of natural appearance and must not be concealed.
Clothing
- Dark clothing requiredDark-coloured clothing is required. The Lisbon embassy instructs ’Trazer roupa de cor escura, não usar roupa branca’. White clothing is explicitly prohibited.
- Shoulders coveredShoulders must be covered. Tank tops and strapless garments are not acceptable.
- UniformsMilitary and civil-service uniforms are not permitted unless specifically authorised.
Photo quality
- Red-eyeRed-eye is not acceptable. Photos with red-eye must be retaken rather than corrected after the fact.
- Facial shadowsThe face must be free of heavy shadows. Asymmetric shadows from headwear or off-axis light are grounds for rejection.
- Sharp focusThe subject must be in sharp focus. Motion blur from the subject moving is not acceptable.
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 32 mm and 36 mm (roughly 71–80% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 24 mm and 31 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- Top margin (from the top of the head to the top edge): 2–3 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.
SENAMI does not publish separate child-specific photo rules. Standard ICAO leniency applies to infants under one year.
Infants (0–11 months)
Minor deviations in expression, gaze, and pose are treated leniently for infants under one year.
- Lying flatPhotograph the infant lying on a plain white sheet so the head is supported and the face is presented to the camera.
- No props or handsNo hands, pacifiers, toys, or supporting props may appear in the frame.
- Eyes and expressionClosed eyes and small expression deviations are accepted for infants who cannot hold a neutral pose.
Children (1–5 years)
Standard adult rules apply with minor expression flexibility.
- ExpressionA relaxed closed-mouth expression is acceptable. Open mouths and visible teeth are not.
- Eyes open and forwardBoth eyes must be open and directed at the camera.
- PoseThe head must be upright and squared to the camera, the same as for adults.
Country-specific details to know.
A few Mozambique-specific rules go further than the international norm.
White clothing prohibition
Mozambique formally codifies a ban on white clothing in passport and visa photos. The Lisbon embassy text ’não usar roupa branca’ is more explicit than the dress guidance published by most other countries.
Absolute glasses ban
Glasses are banned outright with no published medical or glare-free exception. This is stricter than most countries, which allow prescription frames under defined conditions.
Forehead and ears rule
Both the forehead and both ears must be clearly visible. The Lisbon embassy rule ’A testa e as orelhas devem estar bem visíveis’ is an explicit Mozambican standard, so hair must be styled to expose both.
Tokyo mission exceptions
The Mozambican embassy in Tokyo uniquely accepts black-and-white prints and requires only one copy, while other missions require colour and two copies. Tokyo also allows reuse of the same photo for repeat visa applications within the same calendar year, with the applicant’s name written on the back.
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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.
- Photographic paper with a matte 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.
- 2 identical prints are required.