Djibouti visa photo rules from the Immigration Directorate
Djibouti visa photos are reviewed by the Direction Générale de la Police Nationale through the official e-Visa portal at evisa.gouv.dj. The same biometric style is expected at Djiboutian embassies and consulates for visa categories that fall outside the e-Visa system, including long-stay, student, work, and diplomatic visas.
The e-Visa channel is the primary route for tourist, business, transit, and family-visit applications. There is no VFS Global or TLScontact intake for Djibouti, and Visa on Arrival has been suspended for the general public. Embassy submissions are accepted as walk-in or mail-in applications, with two identical prints required and the print size set by the host country of the mission.
The portal does not run automated biometric validation at upload, so manual reviewers screen each photo against ICAO conventions. A photo that misses the mark results in rejection, and the e-Visa fee is not refunded, so the file must be right before it is submitted.
Djibouti visa photo requirements
Rules drawn from the Embassy of Djibouti and the Direction Générale de la Police Nationale e-Visa portal. Manual reviewers enforce them, and the e-Visa fee is non-refundable on rejection.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionKeep a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, or exaggerated expressions are not accepted.
- Eyes open and forwardBoth eyes must be open, fully visible, and looking directly at the camera. No squinting or raised eyebrows.
- Head straightFace the camera squarely with no tilt up, down, or to either side. Both edges of the face must be visible.
- Shoulders squaredSquare the shoulders to the camera so the pose reads as a full frontal portrait.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesGlasses should be removed unless they are medically necessary. When worn for medical reasons, frames must not cover any part of the eyes and lenses must be clear with no glare.
- Tinted lensesTinted, coloured, or sunglasses lenses are prohibited in the photo.
Hair & face
- Hair off the faceHair must not cover the eyes or eyebrows, and both edges of the face must remain visible.
- EarsEars should be visible where possible. Light hair coverage is acceptable provided the outline of the face is clear.
Headwear
- Hats and capsHats and other headwear are not permitted.
- Religious or medical coveringsReligious or medical head coverings are accepted only when worn daily. The covering must leave the full face visible from chin to forehead and from edge to edge, with no shadows cast on the face.
Jewelry & cosmetics
- JewelryJewelry is permitted as long as it does not obscure facial features or produce glare.
- MakeupCosmetics must look natural and must not noticeably alter the applicant’s appearance.
Clothing
- Everyday attireWear normal daily clothing. Uniforms are not accepted, with the sole exception of daily religious attire.
- Avoid white topsAvoid white or near-white tops that blend into the required white background.
Photo recency
- Taken within six monthsThe photograph must have been taken within the last six months and must reflect the applicant’s current appearance.
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 28 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
Photos for infants and young children.
The Direction Générale de la Police Nationale applies looser pose and expression rules for the youngest applicants.
Infants (under 12 months)
Children under one year are held to relaxed expression and pose standards, but the subject-isolation rules are strict.
- Expression and gazeAny expression is accepted. Eyes should be open where possible, with leniency for newborns.
- Head positionModest head tilt is tolerated. The face must still be reasonably oriented toward the camera.
- Lying flat is permittedInfants may be photographed lying on a plain white sheet when sitting upright is not practical.
- No one else in frameParents’ hands, arms, and bodies must not appear in the photograph. The infant must be the only subject visible.
- Clothing and headwearNo hats or head coverings. Dress the infant in simple, non-patterned clothing.
Other things to know.
A few specifics about the Djiboutian visa channel are worth knowing before submitting.
No refund on rejection
The e-Visa portal does not run automated biometric validation at upload. Manual reviewers reject non-compliant photos, and the e-Visa fee is not refunded. Get the photo right the first time.
Two embassy print sizes
Embassy submissions require two identical printed copies. Missions in the Americas (including the Embassy in Washington D.C.) take 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) prints, while missions in Europe, Africa, and Asia take 35 × 45 mm prints.
Visa on Arrival suspended
General-public Visa on Arrival at Ambouli International Airport is suspended. Only diplomatic, service, and official passport holders retain that pathway. Standard travellers must apply through the e-Visa portal or a Djiboutian mission before travel.
No VAC operator
Djibouti does not use VFS Global, TLScontact, or any other visa application centre. Applications go directly through the e-Visa portal or a Djiboutian embassy or consulate.
Take your Djibouti visa photo at home in three steps.
Free to check. You only pay when you keep it.
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.