Marshall Islands visa photos and the RMI Division of Immigration
The Republic of the Marshall Islands issues visas through the Division of Immigration, under the Ministry of Justice in Majuro, with intake also handled at RMI embassies and consulates in Washington D.C., Tokyo, Taipei, and Suva. The official application asks for two recent passport-size photographs without publishing numeric dimensions, and consular practice has settled on the U.S. 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) white-background colour photo as the accepted standard. The international 35×45 mm print is also accepted at RMI missions for applicants whose home country uses that size.
There is no e-visa portal. The Division of Immigration’s website notes that a web application is in development, so every submission today moves on paper, by mail, in person at a mission, or as a scanned package emailed to the Director of Immigration for preliminary review. Two identical prints must still accompany the formal paper application in every case, and no biometric capture takes place at the consulate or in Majuro.
Photos must be recent, which consular officers interpret as taken within the last six months. Applications submitted with photos that fail the white-background, passport-size, or recency expectation are returned for correction by the Director of Immigration, which delays the standard 14-day processing window and can push a case past the 21-day mark reserved for incomplete files.
What the Marshall Islands Division of Immigration expects in your visa photo
The RMI Division of Immigration calls for two recent passport-size photographs. Numeric rules are not codified, so consular practice mirrors standard U.S. passport conventions for the subject.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionAdopt a relaxed, neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, or other animated expressions are not accepted under standard consular practice.
- Face the cameraFace the camera squarely with the head upright. Tilting, turning, or looking away from the lens is not accepted.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be fully open and looking directly at the camera. Closed or partly closed eyes will cause the photo to be rejected by the Director of Immigration.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesEyeglasses should be removed for the photograph. If glasses are worn, the lenses must be clear, without tint or glare, and the frames must not obscure the eyes.
- Sunglasses and tinted lensesSunglasses and any tinted or reactive lenses are not accepted. The eyes must be fully visible.
Hair & facial hair
- Hair off the faceHair must not fall across the eyes or cover the facial features. Long hair may sit behind or beside the face provided the full face remains visible.
- Facial hairBeards and moustaches are accepted as part of the applicant’s regular appearance, provided the face is clearly recognisable.
Headwear
- No general head coveringsHats, caps, and other non-religious head coverings are not accepted.
- Religious head coveringsHead coverings worn daily for religious reasons are accepted, provided the full face from the forehead to the chin and from ear to ear is clearly visible.
Jewelry & accessories
- Everyday jewelryModest everyday jewelry such as small earrings or a thin necklace is accepted. Large items that obscure the face or jawline should be removed.
- Face coveringsMasks, scarves, and any accessory that covers part of the face are not accepted.
Clothing
- Everyday clothingWear regular street clothing. Uniforms and clothing that resembles a uniform are not accepted, except for daily religious attire.
- Avoid white topsBecause the background is white, dark or mid-tone clothing is preferred so that the shoulders and neckline read clearly against the backdrop.
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 Marshall Islands visa channel are worth knowing before you submit.
Two printed copies required
The Division of Immigration requires two identical recent passport-size prints to accompany the paper application. A single print is not sufficient at any RMI mission or at Majuro.
No e-visa portal
There is no online visa portal. The Division of Immigration website notes that a WebApp is in development. Applications are submitted on paper by mail or in person, or scanned and emailed to the Director of Immigration for preliminary review, with physical prints still required for formal processing.
Two accepted print sizes
RMI missions accept either the U.S. 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) format or the international ICAO 35x45 mm format. The 2x2 inch size is the most commonly accepted owing to Compact of Free Association ties with the United States.
Taken within six months
Consular practice interprets recent as taken within the last six months. Older photographs, or photographs that no longer resemble the applicant, will be returned.
Take your Marshall Islands 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.