Benin visa photos follow the DEI 35×45 mm standard
Benin visa photographs follow the identity-photo standard published by the Direction de l’Émigration et de l’Immigration (DEI), which calls for a color photo on a plain, uniform background in 35 mm by 45 mm format and taken within the last six months. The same specification is applied by Benin embassies and consulates abroad and by DEI offices in Cotonou when processing long-stay and residence files.
Submission is channel-specific. Short-stay tourist, business, and transit applicants use the official E-Visa portal at evisa.gouv.bj, which accepts a passport biodata scan rather than a separate face photo. Diplomatic, official, courtesy, and long-stay visas are filed in person at a Benin embassy or directly at DEI in Cotonou, and those packets require printed photographs. Benin does not use VFS Global, BLS, or any third-party visa application centre.
A photograph that does not meet the DEI specification, or that is older than six months, will lead the consular officer or DEI agent to refuse the file and request a fresh image before the visa is issued. Applicants filing at the Embassy of Benin in Washington D.C. should note that submission uses the US 2 by 2 inch format instead of the 35 by 45 mm size.
Benin visa photo requirements at a glance
The Direction de l’Émigration et de l’Immigration (DEI) and Benin’s embassies apply a consistent set of subject rules. The points below are what your photo must show.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionThe applicant must hold a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiles, frowns, and exaggerated expressions are not accepted.
- Face square to cameraThe head must be straight and facing the camera directly, with no tilt or rotation. The full face from chin to forehead must be visible.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be open and clearly visible, looking straight ahead at the camera. Red-eye is not accepted.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesEyeglasses are discouraged. If worn, the lenses must be clear with no tint, frames must not cover any part of the eyes, and there must be no glare on the lenses.
- SunglassesSunglasses and tinted lenses are not permitted in the photograph.
Headwear
- General ruleHats, caps, and other headwear are not permitted in the photograph.
- Religious or medical headwearHead coverings worn for religious or medical reasons are accepted provided the face is fully visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, with both ears or the area beside them unobstructed enough to show the full facial outline.
Hair & face
- Hair off the faceHair must not fall across the eyes or obscure the facial features. The full outline of the face must be visible.
- Facial shadowsNo shadows may fall across the face. Heavy shadows from a hat brim, a fringe, or strong side lighting are grounds for rejection.
Jewelry & accessories
- Accessories on the faceAccessories that obscure any part of the face are not permitted. Small everyday jewelry such as stud earrings is generally acceptable as long as it does not draw glare or hide facial features.
Clothing
- Everyday clothingOrdinary day clothing is expected. Uniforms and clothing that resembles a uniform are not accepted, except for religious attire worn daily.
Photo quality
- RecencyThe photograph must be less than six months old, per the Direction de l’Émigration et de l’Immigration. The image must reflect the applicant’s current appearance.
- Print conditionPrinted photographs submitted to an embassy or to DEI Cotonou must be in pristine condition, with no creases, tears, ink marks, or staple holes across the face.
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).
- Eyes must sit between 21 mm and 25 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Both shoulders must be square to the camera and visible. Three-quarter angles or rotated torsos are not accepted.
- The full face from chin to crown must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
How recent the photo must be.
Your visa 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
Other things to know.
A few details about Benin’s visa photo process sit outside the standard rule groups.
No e-visa photo upload
The official Benin e-visa portal at evisa.gouv.bj does not request a standalone applicant face photo. Applicants upload a passport biodata scan instead. A printed visa photo is prepared for embassy submissions and for in-country DEI filings, not for the online portal.
US embassy size variant
Diplomatic, official, and courtesy visas filed at the Embassy of Benin in Washington D.C. use the US 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) square format instead of the standard 35 × 45 mm. Applicants going through other embassies and through DEI Cotonou use the 35 × 45 mm size.
Six-month recency rule
DEI requires that the photograph be less than six months old. Older photos are refused even when the applicant’s appearance has not changed.
No third-party visa centre
Benin does not use VFS Global, BLS, or TLScontact. Visa applications are handled directly by the e-visa portal, by Benin embassies and consulates, or by DEI in Cotonou for long-stay and residence files.
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Print-quality requirements for in-person submissions.
When you submit a printed photo at a visa application centre, the paper, finish, and ink all matter. The points below cover the standards most consular missions accept.
- Print on photographic-quality paper at 300 DPI minimum.
- Use a matte or semi-gloss finish; high-gloss can produce reflections that confuse biometric scanners.
- Do not retouch, crop, or alter the photo after printing.
- Bring at least two identical prints when the submission channel calls for paper photos.