How Togo Voyage handles visa photo submissions
Togo’s visa photo standard is set by the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection through the Directorate General of National Documentation, and is administered online via the Togo Voyage portal at voyage.gouv.tg. The portal’s official FAQ requires a recent identity photo, in colour, natural in appearance, sharp, and not retouched, taken within the last six months. The same subject rules carry over to walk-in and mail-in submissions handled directly by Togolese diplomatic missions abroad.
Togo does not use a third-party visa application centre network. There is no VFS, TLS, or BLS channel, and visa on arrival is no longer offered, so every traveller pre-registers through Togo Voyage or applies directly at a Togolese embassy. Embassies inherit the host country’s local print format, which means the Washington D.C. mission accepts a 2 by 2 inch print while London and other European missions work with the 35 by 45 mm format.
Border officers compare the submitted photo against the applicant at arrival, and a photo that fails the appearance, expression, or background rules results in the application being refused or the traveller being pulled aside for a fresh capture at Lomé airport. Photos older than six months, retouched images, and pictures with sunglasses or tinted lenses are rejected outright by Togo Voyage.
Togo visa photo requirements at a glance
The Togo Voyage portal and Togolese diplomatic missions enforce a consistent set of subject rules across every visa category. The points below cover what the applicant must look like in the final image.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionThe applicant must hold a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling, laughing, and visible teeth are not accepted.
- Eyes open and forwardBoth eyes must be fully open, clearly visible, and looking directly at the camera. Pupils and irises must not be obscured.
- Face the camera directlyThe head must be squared to the camera in a full frontal view, without tilting or turning. The face must be presented in its natural appearance without retouching, as required by the Togo Voyage FAQ.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesGlasses are prohibited in Togolese visa photos. Prescription frames should be removed before the photo is taken.
- Tinted and sunglassesTinted lenses, sunglasses, and any coloured or reflective eyewear are not accepted under any circumstances.
Hair & facial hair
- Hair off the eyesHair must not fall across the eyes or obscure the eyebrows. Long hair may be worn loose provided the full face remains visible.
Headwear
- Religious head coveringsHeadwear is only permitted when worn for religious reasons. The covering must leave the face fully visible from the chin to the forehead and must not cast shadows on the face.
- Hats and capsSecular hats, caps, hoods, and decorative headbands are not accepted.
Jewelry & accessories
- Facial jewelryJewelry and accessories that obscure facial features are not accepted. Discreet earrings or a small nose stud that does not interfere with facial recognition are tolerated.
Clothing
- Everyday attireEveryday civilian clothing is required. Uniforms are not accepted, with the narrow exception of religious attire worn daily.
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 features of the Togolese visa channel are worth flagging before you submit.
No VAC network
Togo does not contract VFS, TLS, or BLS. Applications are submitted directly through the Togo Voyage portal or by walk-in and mail-in at Togolese diplomatic missions abroad.
Host-country print sizes
Togolese embassies inherit the local passport-photo dimensions of their host country. Submissions to the Embassy in Washington D.C. use 51 by 51 mm prints, while submissions to the London and other European missions use 35 by 45 mm prints. The Togo Voyage e-visa upload accepts the digital equivalent of the 35 by 45 mm format.
Photo recency
The Togo Voyage FAQ explicitly requires a photo taken within the last six months. Older photos that no longer reflect the applicant’s current appearance will be refused.
Mandatory pre-registration
Visa on arrival is no longer offered. Every traveler requiring a visa must pre-register on voyage.gouv.tg with a compliant digital photo before boarding, and failure to do so results in denied boarding or refused entry.
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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.