South Sudan visa photos and the MOFAIC submission channels
South Sudan visa applications are governed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) and the Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Immigration. The same photo standard applies across every visa category, from tourist and business to transit, courtesy, and official, and it covers applicants of every age. South Sudan has no Visa Application Centre operator, so applications are filed either through the central e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.ss or directly with a South Sudanese embassy.
The headline rule is a recent, color, passport-style photograph on a plain white background, with the subject facing the camera squarely and a neutral expression. MOFAIC does not publish a single national dimensional standard, so the print size follows the channel: the e-Visa portal expects a square 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) image, North American missions in Washington D.C. and Canada accept the same 2×2 inch print, and the London embassy and other UK, EU, and global missions default to 35×45 mm. Embassies routinely ask for two identical prints at the counter even though MOFAIC’s written guidance mentions one.
Consular officers reject photographs that fail any of the published criteria, and a rejected photo means a returned application, a delayed travel date, or a fresh visit to the embassy. Choosing the format that matches your submission channel before you apply is the simplest way to keep the file moving.
What South Sudan expects in a visa photo
MOFAIC and the e-Visa portal call for a recent passport-style photograph. The rules below describe how the subject should appear in the final image.
Expression & pose
- Facial expressionAdopt a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, or other exaggerated expressions are rejected by South Sudanese missions and the e-Visa portal.
- Head positionFace the camera squarely with the head upright. Profile shots, tilted poses, and angled three-quarter views are not accepted.
- EyesBoth eyes must be open and clearly visible, looking directly at the camera. Hair must not fall across the eyes.
Eyewear & lenses
- Sunglasses & tinted lensesSunglasses and any tinted or photochromic lenses are prohibited. The eyes must be plainly visible without colour cast.
- Prescription glassesClear prescription glasses are tolerated only when they do not obstruct the eyes or cause reflections. Embassies and agencies advise removing glasses to avoid glare on the lenses.
Headwear
- Hats & capsHats, caps, and other secular headwear are not permitted in a South Sudan visa photo.
- Religious & medical coveringsHead coverings worn for religious or medical reasons are accepted provided the full face is visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and from ear to ear.
Hair & face
- Hair across the faceHair must be arranged so it does not cover the eyes, eyebrows, or the outline of the face.
- Shadows on the faceThe face must be free of heavy shadows. Hat brims, thick fringes, and other sources of cast shadow on the features can lead to rejection.
Clothing & accessories
- Everyday clothingWear ordinary day clothing. Uniforms and camouflage attire should be avoided for civilian visa applications.
- Jewelry & accessoriesModest jewelry is acceptable so long as it does not obscure any part of the face or create distracting reflections.
Photo quality
- Colour photographThe image must be a colour photograph with natural skin tones. Black-and-white photographs are rejected by South Sudanese missions and the e-Visa portal.
- Red-eye and motion blurPhotographs showing red-eye or visible motion blur from the subject moving are not accepted.
- RecencyThe photograph must have been taken within the last six months and reflect the applicant’s current appearance.
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 mm and 35 mm (roughly 49–69% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 27.9 mm and 33 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 South Sudan visa channel are worth knowing before you submit.
Embassy size depends on the mission
South Sudan does not publish a single dimensional standard. Missions in the United States and Canada accept a 2 x 2 inch print, while the London embassy and other UK, EU, and global missions expect 35 x 45 mm. Choose the variant that matches the embassy you are submitting to.
E-Visa is the primary channel
Most applicants are steered to the e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.ss, which expects a square 2 x 2 inch photo uploaded with the application. Sticker visas issued by embassies remain available but are being used less often.
No VAC, no on-site capture
South Sudan does not use VFS, BLS, TLScontact, or any other visa application centre. Embassies accept the printed photo directly, and no biometric capture happens at the time of application.
Bring two printed copies
Although MOFAIC’s written guidance mentions a single photo, consular desks routinely request two identical prints attached to the paper application. Carry two to avoid being turned away.
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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.