Iraq visa photos for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the evisa.iq portal
Iraqi visas are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) through its embassies and consulates, while the Ministry of Interior runs the central e-Visa platform at evisa.iq. Iraq does not contract a global visa application centre network, so applicants either upload their photo through the e-Visa portal or hand in physical prints at an Iraqi mission. The photo travels with the application in every channel, and a non-compliant image is the most common reason a file is held or returned for resubmission.
Iraqi authorities do not publish a single biometric mapping sheet. Embassies describe the image simply as a passport-size photograph and defer to the passport-photo norm of the host country: missions in the Americas (Washington, Ottawa, Los Angeles) require 2 × 2 in prints, while London, Berlin and other Rest-of-World missions accept 35 × 45 mm. Embassy and mail-in submissions call for two identical colour prints on a pure white background, taken within the last six months.
Consular officers apply the rules strictly even where the written guidance is brief. Glare on lenses, off-white backgrounds, casual expressions, or any obstruction of the face from chin to forehead will lead to rejection or a request for a replacement photo, which adds days or weeks to processing. Matching the exact format expected by the mission you are applying through is essential.
What the Iraqi visa photo must show
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior expect a recent, neutral, frontal portrait. The rules below cover what you, the subject, must look like in the final image.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionHold a neutral expression with the mouth closed. No smiling, no visible teeth, no raised eyebrows, and no frowning.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera, with pupils clearly visible. No red-eye.
- Square to the cameraFace the camera straight on with the head level. Both ears should be visible where they are not covered for religious reasons, and the face must not be tilted or turned.
- Recent likenessThe photograph must have been taken within the last six months and reflect your current appearance.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesGlasses are not explicitly banned, but Iraqi consular practice strongly discourages them because glare and reflections are a common cause of rejection. If you wear glasses, remove them before the photo. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are never accepted.
Hair
- Hair off the faceHair must not cover the eyes, eyebrows, or any part of the face. Keep fringes clear of the forehead so the full facial outline is visible.
Headwear
- Religious head coveringsHead coverings are permitted only when worn for religious reasons. The covering must not cast shadows on the face or obscure any feature from the tip of the chin to the top of the forehead, and both edges of the face must remain visible.
- Hats and capsNon-religious hats, caps, and decorative headwear are not accepted.
Jewelry & accessories
- JewelryEarrings, nose studs, and similar items are acceptable provided they do not cover or obscure any part of the face.
- Face coveringsMasks, scarves wrapped over the chin or mouth, and other items that hide facial features are not allowed.
Cosmetics
- Everyday makeup onlyLight, natural makeup is acceptable. Heavy or dramatic cosmetics that alter the apparent shape or tone of the face are not accepted, and digital beauty filters are prohibited.
Clothing
- Everyday clothingWear ordinary day-to-day clothing. Uniforms are not accepted, with the exception of daily religious attire.
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
Other things to know.
A few quirks of the Iraqi visa channel are worth knowing before you submit.
Embassy-specific print sizes
Iraqi missions defer to the passport-photo standard of their host country. Missions in the Americas (Washington, Ottawa, Los Angeles) require 2 by 2 inch prints, while missions in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the rest of the world require 35 by 45 mm prints. Match the format to the embassy you are applying through.
Two prints for in-person filings
Embassy walk-in and mail-in applications require two identical colour prints submitted with the visa form. Mail-in filings at the Washington embassy must also include a prepaid return envelope.
No VFS or TLS network
Iraq does not use a global visa application centre operator. Physical applications go directly to an Iraqi embassy or consulate, and digital applications go through the official e-Visa portal at evisa.iq.
Visa on Arrival biometrics
Eligible nationalities receiving a Visa on Arrival at Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, or Najaf airports have their biometrics captured at the border. Carrying spare prints is still sensible in case the officer requests them.
Take your Iraq visa photo at home in three steps.
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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.