Somalia visa photos and the Immigration and Citizenship Agency
Somalia’s visa photo rule is set by the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA), which publishes a single line of guidance: a passport-size photo on a white background. The same photo carries through both the digital upload and any in-country presentation for long-stay categories, and ICA expects a clean, well-lit color image with a neutral expression and the full face visible from chin to forehead.
Since 1 September 2025, the eTAS / e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.so has been the mandatory channel for tourism, business, and short-term study travel. Embassies no longer issue visas in person, and travelers who arrive without an approved eTAS are denied entry. The portal’s application flow includes a dedicated step to take or upload a selfie, and that single photograph becomes the biometric of record for the trip.
Because ICA does not publish detailed pixel, file, or framing tolerances, the portal’s automated checks lean on international biometric norms. A photo that drifts from those norms can stall the application, trigger a manual review, or lead to a refusal that forces a fresh submission before any planned departure.
Somalia visa photo requirements
The Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) publishes a sparse spec, so the subject-side rules below follow standard biometric practice that the eTAS portal expects on upload.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionKeep a relaxed, neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, or other exaggerated expressions are not accepted for biometric review.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be open, looking straight at the camera, with the pupils unobscured by hair, frames, or reflections.
- Face the camera squarelyHold the head upright and face the camera directly. Avoid tilting, turning, or angling the head.
- Shoulders squareSquare the shoulders to the camera so the upper body is symmetric in the frame.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesIf eyeglasses are worn, the lenses must be clear and the eyes fully visible with no glare or reflection across the lenses. Removing glasses is recommended whenever possible.
- Tinted and sunglassesSunglasses and tinted lenses are not accepted. Coloured contact lenses that change the natural eye colour should also be removed.
Headwear
- Religious head coveringsHeadwear worn for religious reasons is permitted provided the full face is clearly visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, with both ears or the hairline along the face unobstructed by the covering’s edge.
- Non-religious hatsCaps, hats, and other non-religious headwear are not accepted on the eTAS upload.
- Shadows from coveringsPosition any permitted covering so it does not cast shadows across the eyes, brow, or cheeks. Heavy shadows on the face will fail review.
Hair & facial hair
- Hair off the faceHair must not fall across the eyes or obscure the outline of the face. Natural beards and moustaches are acceptable as long as the facial features remain clearly identifiable.
Jewelry & accessories
- Face-covering accessoriesRemove any item that covers part of the face, including masks, scarves wrapped over the chin, and oversized earrings or piercings that obscure facial outline.
Clothing
- Everyday clothingWear ordinary street clothing. Uniforms and camouflage patterns are not appropriate for a Somalia visa photo.
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 33 mm and 36 mm (roughly 73–81% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 21 mm and 25 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 details about Somalia’s visa process are worth flagging before you submit.
Mandatory eTAS channel
Since 1 September 2025, every visitor must apply through the eTAS / e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.so before travel. Embassies no longer issue visas in person, and travellers who arrive without an approved eTAS are refused entry.
Visa on arrival ended
The previous visa-on-arrival option has been eliminated. Pre-arrival approval through eTAS is the only route for tourism, business, and short-term study, with narrow exemptions for pre-September-2025 multiple-entry visa holders and existing residence or work permit holders.
Somaliland is separate
Somaliland operates its own e-visa system at somalilandevisa.com which is not valid for entry into Federal Somalia. Travel to Mogadishu, Kismayo, and other federally administered areas requires the Federal eTAS.
Sparse published spec
The ICA publishes only "passport size photo with white background" and does not officially document millimetre, pixel, or facial-mapping values. The settings used here apply conservative international biometric defaults so the upload clears the portal’s automated checks.
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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.