Visa photo rules from the Central African Republic’s diplomatic missions
Central African Republic visas are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francophonie and Central Africans Abroad through its embassies and consulates. There is no centralised biometric photo manual and no official e-visa portal, so each mission applies the photo convention of its host country. The CF Embassy in Paris and most non-US missions accept the 35×45 mm format, while the CF Embassy in Washington, D.C. requires the 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) variant. The same physical photo specification applies across tourist, business, official, family-visit, and transit categories.
Every application is paper-based. There is no visa application centre, no on-site biometric capture, and no upload channel, which means applicants supply two identical printed photographs on photographic paper for each file. Photos must be recent, in colour, on a plain white background, with a front-facing pose and a neutral expression. Consular officers review each print on intake and check it against the host-country convention the mission follows.
Non-compliant photographs are a routine cause of rejection or return of the application by post, which can add weeks to the processing timeline. Submitting prints in the wrong format for the receiving mission (35×45 mm to Washington, or 2×2 inch to Paris) is treated the same as an out-of-spec photo. Matching the print size to the embassy that will adjudicate the file is the single most important step.
Central African Republic visa photo requirements
The Central African Republic consular network expects a recent, front-facing portrait that follows standard ICAO conventions. The rules below cover what the subject must look like in the print.
Expression & pose
- Front viewThe applicant must face the camera directly with the head and shoulders squared to the lens. CF embassies reject three-quarter or profile views.
- Neutral expressionHold a relaxed, neutral expression. Smiling, frowning, or any exaggerated facial movement is not accepted under consular convention.
- Mouth closedKeep the mouth closed. Teeth should not be visible in the final print.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be open and clearly visible to the camera. Hair, lashes, or frames cannot cross the pupils.
Eyewear & lenses
- Clear prescription lenses onlyIf eyeglasses are worn, the lenses must be clear with no tint and no glare obscuring the eyes. Sunglasses and heavily tinted lenses are not accepted.
- No thick frames over the eyesFrames must not cover any part of the eyes. Removing glasses for the photo is the safest option, as CF missions do not publish a frames tolerance.
Headwear
- Religious headwear onlyHats and head coverings are permitted only when worn daily for religious reasons. The full face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead must remain visible.
- No casual hatsCaps, beanies, fashion hats, and hoods are not accepted at any CF mission.
Hair & face visibility
- Full face visibleThe entire face must be visible in the frame. Hair falling across the eyes, eyebrows, or jawline is grounds for rejection at the consular window.
- Hair off the facePull long hair back so the outline of the face is clear. Hair behind the shoulders is fine.
Clothing & accessories
- Everyday civilian clothingWear ordinary street clothes. Uniforms are not accepted unless the applicant is filing under an official or diplomatic category that requires them.
- Minimal accessoriesAvoid large jewelry, headbands, or accessories that obscure the face or cast shadows. Small everyday earrings and studs are acceptable.
Photo quality
- Recent photographThe photo must have been taken within the last six months and reflect the applicant’s current appearance. Older prints are returned with the application.
- No shadows on the faceThe face must be free of cast shadows from hat brims, hair, or uneven lighting. Shadows around the eyes and under the chin are a common rejection reason.
- Sharp focusThe print must be sharp and free of motion blur or red-eye. Subjects should hold still during capture.
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 31 mm and 36 mm (roughly 70–80% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 24 mm and 30 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 set the CAR visa photo apart from neighbouring francophone specs.
Two identical prints required
Every CAR visa application is submitted with two identical physical prints on photographic paper. One print alone is routinely returned by the consular office, even when third-party checklists say a single copy is enough.
Embassy-specific size variants
The CAR Embassy in Paris and most non-US missions use 35x45 mm prints. The CAR Embassy in Washington, D.C. and other North American missions require the 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) format instead. Submit the size that matches the embassy you are filing with.
No e-visa, no VAC
There is no official e-visa portal and no visa application centre operator. All applications are filed by walk-in or mail directly to a CAR diplomatic mission, and the photo is always a self-supplied physical print.
Photo attached, not stapled
Prints should be paper-clipped or glued to the application form. Staples driven through the face of the photograph are rejected at the consular window.
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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.