Dominican Republic visa photos and the MIREX standard
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, MIREX) issues visas through its consulates and embassies abroad. Its published rule for tourist, business, student, work, and dependent visas is short and absolute: one recent photograph, front view, on a white background. The same photo is used for the initial online application through servicios.mirex.gob.do and for the physical file submitted at the consulate.
Submission routes vary. Most missions worldwide process visa files directly, while a small number of jurisdictions route applications through VFS Global. Dominican embassies in the United States and the United Kingdom accept a 2×2 inch print in place of the MIREX 40×50 mm size, and the Dirección General de Migración (DGM) uses the 2×2 inch format for residence and minor-departure procedures. Applicants should confirm the expected print size with the specific consulate handling the case.
MIREX and the consulates enforce the white-background and front-view rules strictly, and physical handling instructions, including the directive not to staple the photograph to the application, are followed to the letter. A photo that does not match the consulate’s expected size or that fails the published rule will see the file returned or the appointment rescheduled.
What MIREX expects in a Dominican Republic visa photo
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) publishes a famously short rule set. The subject standards below reflect what consular officers enforce on the photo you submit.
Expression & pose
- Front viewMIREX requires a straight, front-facing photograph (de frente). Face the camera squarely with the head level and shoulders relaxed and even.
- Neutral expressionHold a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Avoid smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows so facial features remain easy to compare against the passport.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera. Do not let hair, lashes, or frames cross the eye line.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesIf glasses are worn, the lenses must be clear and must not obscure the eyes. Tinted lenses, sunglasses, and heavy frames that cover any part of the eye are not accepted.
- Coloured contactsWear ordinary corrective contact lenses only. Decorative or colour-changing contacts that alter natural eye colour should be removed.
Hair & facial hair
- Hair off the faceHair must be arranged so the full face, including both eyes and the eyebrows, is clearly visible. Long fringes that fall across the eyes are not accepted.
- Everyday facial hairBeards and moustaches are acceptable provided they reflect the applicant’s normal everyday appearance.
Headwear
- No hats or capsHeads must be uncovered for a standard MIREX visa photo. Hats, caps, hoods, and bandanas are not accepted.
- Religious head coveringsHead coverings worn daily for religious reasons are permitted as long as the full face from the forehead to the chin remains uncovered.
Jewelry & accessories
- Minimal jewelryKeep jewelry minimal for a standard visa photo. Anything that reflects light into the lens, casts a shadow on the face, or covers facial features should be removed.
- Ears visible where possibleLarge earrings that obscure the side of the face or jawline should be removed. Note that DGM residence procedures require bare ears with no jewelry at all.
Clothing
- Everyday clothingWear ordinary clothing in a colour that contrasts with the white background. Uniforms and camouflage patterns are not appropriate for a visa photograph.
- Recent appearanceThe photograph must be recent and must reflect the applicant’s current appearance. Consulates apply a six-month recency standard.
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 65–71% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 24 mm and 29 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 Dominican Republic specifics worth knowing before you submit.
Two official print sizes
MIREX headquarters and most consulates outside the US and UK require a 40 by 50 mm print. Dominican missions in the US and the UK accept the 2 by 2 inch (51 by 51 mm) size instead. Both are official, so confirm with your specific consulate before printing.
Do not staple the photo
The MIREX English requirements sheet states explicitly that the photo must not be stapled to the application. Clip it or leave it loose with the form so the face is never punctured.
RT-9 residence is different
DGM Temporary Residence (RT-9) is not a standard visa. It requires four photos at 51 by 51 mm, two frontal and two right-profile, with bare ears and no jewelry. Do not use the standard visa spec for an RT-9 application.
E-TICKET needs no photo
The mandatory Dominican E-TICKET at eticket.migracion.gob.do is a customs and health entry form, not a visa step. It does not require a photograph upload.
Take your Dominican Republic 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.