DRC visa photos: what the Direction Générale de Migration expects
Visas for the Democratic Republic of the Congo are issued by the Direction Générale de Migration (DGM), the agency under the Ministry of the Interior and Security that runs the Ordinary Flying Visa (e-Visa) programme and sets the photo standard implemented by DRC embassies abroad. Every applicant submits a recent, front-facing colour photograph on a plain white background, taken within the last six months, showing the full face from chin to forehead.
The DRC is unusual in that it does not enforce a single global print size. Embassies in the Americas, including Washington DC, require a 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square print, while DRC embassies in Europe and the UK, including Paris and London, require a 35×45 mm print. The DGM e-Visa portal at evisa.gouv.cd accepts a digital upload in the square format. There is no VFS Global or TLScontact intake for DRC visas; applications go directly to the e-Visa portal or to the embassy handling the case.
Photos that fail the DGM standard, whether for incorrect size, a non-white background, obscured eyes, or visible retouching, are grounds for the embassy or the e-Visa reviewer to reject the application and return it for resubmission, which delays travel.
DRC visa photo requirements at a glance
The Direction Générale de Migration (DGM) and DRC embassies apply a single passport-style standard across visa categories. These are the subject-side rules that determine whether your photo will be accepted.
Expression & pose
- Face the camera squarelyThe applicant must face the camera directly in a full-frontal view, with the head upright and centred. DRC Embassy Paris explicitly requires a front-facing pose.
- Neutral expressionKeep a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Teeth must not be visible and smiling is not accepted.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be fully open and looking directly at the camera. Hair, frames, or glare that obscures the eyes is grounds for rejection.
Eyewear & lenses
- Tinted lenses prohibitedSunglasses, tinted lenses, and heavily tinted prescription glasses are not permitted. Thick frames that cover part of the eye are also rejected.
- Clear prescription glassesClear prescription glasses are tolerated only if there is no glare on the lenses and the frames do not obstruct the eyes. The DGM and DRC embassies recommend removing glasses where possible.
Hair & facial hair
- Hair off the faceHair must not fall across the eyes or obscure the outline of the face. The full face from chin to forehead must be visible.
- EarsEars are recommended to be visible where the applicant’s normal hairstyle allows. They are not strictly mandated by DGM, but visibility reduces the chance of rejection.
Headwear
- No hats or capsHeadwear is prohibited in DRC visa photos. The full face from chin to forehead must remain unobstructed.
- Religious or medical exceptionHead coverings worn daily for religious or documented medical reasons are permitted. The covering must not cast shadows on the face and the full facial outline must remain visible.
Jewelry & accessories
- Everyday jewelryNormal daily jewelry is acceptable provided it does not distort facial features or cover any part of the face. Large items that obscure the jawline or ears should be removed.
Cosmetics
- Natural appearanceMakeup should be light and consistent with the applicant’s everyday appearance. Heavy cosmetics that alter facial features are not accepted, and skin tones must remain natural.
Clothing
- Avoid plain white topsClothing should contrast with the white background, so plain white shirts and tops should be avoided. Uniforms are not accepted unless the applicant is in a category that requires one.
Photo quality
- No shadows on the faceThe face must be evenly lit with no shadows cast across the cheeks, eyes, or under the chin. Shadows from hats or hair are a common cause of rejection.
- No red-eyeRed-eye is not accepted by the DGM or by DRC consular staff. The eyes must show natural colour.
- Sharp focusThe photo must be in focus, with no motion blur from the subject and no pixelation or graininess.
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 25.4 mm and 35.1 mm (roughly 50–69% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 27.9 mm and 35.1 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 quirks of the DRC visa process sit outside the usual subject rules and are worth flagging up front.
Embassy-specific size variants
The DRC has no single global visa photo size. Embassies in the Americas, including Washington DC, require a 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) square photo, while embassies in Europe and the UK, including Paris and London, require 35x45 mm. Follow the size required by the specific DRC mission handling the case.
Photo recency window
The photo must have been taken within the last six months and must reflect the applicant’s current appearance. Older photos are grounds for rejection by the DGM and by consular staff.
Photo count by channel
The DGM e-Visa portal accepts a single uploaded photo. Embassy Washington DC requires one printed photo for a standard visa and two for a tenant-lieu de passeport. Embassies in Paris and London require two identical prints per application.
Border biometric recapture
Travellers arriving on a pre-approved e-Visa may have a fresh biometric photo captured live at N’djili Airport (FIH) for the visa sticker. The uploaded photo still satisfies the application requirement and must be compliant at submission.
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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.