Guinea visa photos issued under the Police aux Frontières (PAF)
Guinea’s visa photo standard is set by the Direction Nationale de la Police aux Frontières (DNPaf), the agency that operates the national eVisa portal at paf.gov.gn. The published rule is straightforward: a passport-style photograph on a strictly pure white background, applied uniformly across all eight visa categories (VCS, VLS, VESRM, VTB, VP, VS, VD, and VC). There is no per-category variation in the photo itself.
Submissions reach Guinea through three channels, and there is no VFS or TLScontact intermediary. Most applicants upload directly through the PAF eVisa portal, while residual paper workflows are handled by Guinean embassies in Washington D.C., London, and other missions. A separate live biometric capture is performed by PAF officers on arrival at Conakry International Airport, but that step does not replace the photo submitted with the application.
A non-compliant photo is the most common cause of rejected eVisa applications and returned consular files. PAF enforces the white background strictly, and embassies additionally require that the image have been taken within the last six months. Photos that fail screening result in delayed approvals, requests for resubmission, or refusal of the visa letter required to board a flight to Conakry.
Guinea visa photo requirements for applicants
The Police aux Frontières (PAF) requires a passport-style photo with a pure white background. Subject-side rules follow standard biometric expectations across every visa category.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionThe applicant must hold a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling, showing teeth, and raised eyebrows are not accepted.
- Eyes open and forwardBoth eyes must be fully open and looking directly at the camera. Squinting and half-closed eyes cause rejection.
- Full frontal viewThe head must face the camera squarely with no tilt or rotation. Shoulders should be level and square to the lens.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesGlasses are prohibited in Guinea visa photos. Applicants must remove all eyewear before the photo is taken, including clear prescription frames.
- Sunglasses and tinted lensesSunglasses and any tinted or coloured lenses are not accepted under any circumstance.
Hair & facial hair
- Hair off the faceHair must not cover the eyes or eyebrows. The full facial outline from chin to forehead must remain visible.
- EarsEars do not have to be exposed if hair naturally covers them, but the face itself must remain unobstructed.
Headwear
- Religious and medical exceptionsHeadwear is prohibited except when worn daily for religious or medical reasons. When permitted, the covering must not cast shadows on the face and must leave the area from chin to forehead fully visible.
- Hats and capsHats, caps, and other non-religious head coverings are not accepted.
Jewelry & accessories
- JewelryDiscreet jewelry is acceptable provided it does not obscure facial features or cause glare. Large items that hide part of the face should be removed.
Cosmetics
- Natural appearanceCosmetics should look natural. Theatrical or transformative makeup that alters the applicant’s everyday appearance is not accepted.
Clothing
- Everyday clothingApplicants should wear ordinary everyday clothes. Uniforms are not permitted, except for daily religious attire.
- Avoid white topsBecause the background must be pure white, white shirts and blouses create poor contrast and should be avoided.
Photo recency
- Six-month ruleThe photo must have been taken within the last six months and must reflect the applicant’s current appearance. A new photo is required after significant changes such as facial hair, weight change, or new visible tattoos or piercings.
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 34 mm and 38 mm (roughly 68–75% 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.
Guinea accepts more than one size — we generate them all.
Guinea publishes more than one acceptable format depending on where you submit your application — domestic passport offices, the official online portal, and regional consulates abroad can each call for a different print or pixel size. We render every variant below from the same source photo, so the head sits at the same physical position across files, and each one arrives in your order email with a clear filename indicating which submission channel it's for.
Guinea Visa 35×50 mm
Primary specGuinea's recommended print format — accepted at most in-country submissions and the default we render first.
Guinea Visa 150×214 px — e-Visa
Print + DigitalSized for Guinea's e-Visa online application.
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.
Guinea publishes no formal age-based exception, but the Police aux Frontières applies standard ICAO accommodations for very young applicants in practice.
Infants (under 1 year)
Infants are photographed alone against a plain white surface. Reasonable accommodations apply for expression and pose.
- EyesInfants may have their eyes partially closed when a fully open gaze cannot be achieved.
- ExpressionA strict neutral expression is not required. The mouth may be slightly open.
- Head positionModest deviation from a perfectly forward-facing pose is tolerated, provided the full face remains visible.
- No supporting hands or propsParents, carers, and supporting hands must not be visible anywhere in the frame. Lay the child on a plain white sheet to capture the photo.
Other things to know.
A few details about Guinea’s visa channel are worth knowing before submitting.
eVisa portal is the main channel
Guinea’s eVisa portal at paf.gov.gn handles all eight visa categories (VCS, VLS, VESRM, VTB, VP, VS, VD, VC). There is no VFS, TLScontact, or BLS intake. Embassies in Washington D.C., Ottawa, and London retain a residual paper workflow for certain long-stay, diplomatic, and special-case visas.
Embassy size varies by region
For paper applications, North American Guinean embassies require a 51×51 mm (2×2 in) print, while UK and European embassies use 35×45 mm. Two identical prints are requested. Choose the size that matches the mission processing your file.
Live capture on arrival
A fresh facial photo and fingerprints are captured by PAF officers at Conakry International Airport on arrival. The uploaded photo is used for pre-arrival vetting and does not appear on the final visa sticker, but a non-compliant upload will block approval of the Entry Visa Letter.
Yellow fever certificate required
A yellow fever vaccination certificate must accompany the photo and application for every visa category. Applications submitted without it are returned.
Take your Guinea 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.