Entry Permit photos for the FSM Division of Immigration & Labor
The Federated States of Micronesia issues long-stay travel authorization through the FSM Department of Justice, Division of Immigration & Labor in Palikir, Pohnpei. The country does not run an e-visa portal and does not accept digital photo uploads, so every Entry Permit application is submitted on paper, either by mail to the Division or in person through an FSM embassy or consulate. A single printed photograph at the FSM’s distinctive 1 3/16 × 1 3/4 inch size travels with the form.
The photo specification published by the FSM Embassy applies to all Entry Permit categories, including extended tourist, business, employment, student, investor, and dependent permits. Short visits under thirty days for most nationalities do not require an Entry Permit, and no photograph is submitted in that case. Applicants must sign the back of the printed photo before it is attached to the form, a step the Division treats as part of the submission itself.
Officers at the Division and at FSM diplomatic missions reject prints that do not match the rectangular FSM size, that arrive in black and white, or that show prohibited items called out on the official instruction sheet. A rejected photo means the entire paper packet is returned, so getting the print right the first time is what keeps an application moving.
What the FSM Division of Immigration requires in your photo
The FSM Department of Justice, Division of Immigration & Labor enforces a short list of strict subject rules drawn from the official Entry Permit and passport instruction sheets. Follow them or the application is returned.
Expression & pose
- Face the cameraLook straight at the camera with your full face visible. The FSM instruction sheet forbids anything ’sticking out from head’, which implies a clean, unobstructed frontal pose.
- Eyes visible and openBoth eyes must be open and clearly visible. The official rule banning sunglasses exists specifically so the applicant’s eyes can be matched at the port of entry.
- Neutral expressionUse a relaxed, neutral expression with the mouth closed. This is the standard the Division of Immigration applies when reviewing Entry Permit photos.
Eyewear & lenses
- No sunglassesThe FSM passport application instruction sheet explicitly prohibits sunglasses. Tinted, mirrored, or photochromic lenses are not accepted.
- Clear prescription glassesIf clear prescription eyeglasses are worn, the lenses must not obstruct the eyes or cause glare. Frames must not cover any part of the eye.
Hair & accessories
- Nothing protruding from the headLarge combs and other articles that ’stick out from the head’ are prohibited by the official FSM instructions. Keep hair accessories small and flat against the head.
- Face must remain visibleHair should not fall across the eyes or hide the outline of the face. The Division of Immigration needs a clear view of both eyes and the full facial perimeter.
Headwear
- No hats or capsHats are explicitly prohibited by the FSM passport application instruction sheet. The head must be uncovered for the Entry Permit photo.
Jewelry & accessories
- No earringsThe FSM instruction sheet explicitly bans earrings in the photo. Remove studs, hoops, and any other ear jewelry before the photo is taken.
- No leisLeis and similar neckwear are explicitly prohibited. This is a culturally specific rule unique to the FSM photo standard.
- No distracting itemsThe official instructions bar ’other items distracting to the photograph’. Keep the neckline clear of conspicuous necklaces, brooches, and pins.
Clothing
- No sleeveless shirtsSleeveless shirts are explicitly prohibited by the FSM passport application instruction sheet. Shoulders must be covered with a sleeved top.
- Everyday clothingWear normal street clothing. Uniforms and camouflage are not appropriate for an Entry Permit photograph.
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 31.1 mm and 35.6 mm (roughly 70–80% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 24.5 mm and 28.9 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 FSM Entry Permit photo are worth flagging because they cause most of the avoidable rejections.
Sign the back of the print
The official FSM Entry Permit application instructs the applicant to sign their name on the back of the photograph. Missing signatures are a common reason for the application to be returned.
Paper submission only
The FSM has no e-visa portal and no digital photo upload channel. The printed photo is mailed in with the Entry Permit application or presented at an FSM embassy or consulate.
Do not submit a 2x2 inch photo
The FSM uses a rectangular print, not the U.S. square. A 2 by 2 inch photo will be rejected even though the country is closely tied to the United States under COFA.
One photo, color only
Entry Permit applications require one photograph, not two or four. Black and white prints are not accepted by the Division of Immigration & Labor.
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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.