Samoa visa photos: what the Immigration Division (MPMC) expects
Samoa’s visa photographs are governed by the Immigration Division of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (MPMC). The single written rule on the temporary-resident form (MPMC100) and the permanent-residence form (MPMC105) is that applicants must attach two recent passport-sized photographs for the main applicant and for each dependent. Officers apply ICAO 9303 conventions at their discretion to judge whether a print qualifies as passport-sized and recent.
There is no Samoan e-visa portal. Paper applications are lodged in person or by post at the Immigration Division offices in Apia and Salelologa, or through Samoan diplomatic missions in Wellington, Auckland, Sydney, Tokyo, Brussels, and Washington D.C. Because the rule is enforced by human review rather than an upload validator, photos that look casual, retouched, or visibly off-standard are routinely set aside and returned with the file.
Two identical prints per person is the one hard requirement that MPMC enforces every time. A photo that fails on pose, expression, eyewear, or background will cause the application to be rejected at the counter or delayed in processing, so the safest approach is a clean, neutral, white-background portrait that meets the conservative ICAO standard Samoan officers expect.
What Samoa Immigration looks for in your visa photo
The Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (MPMC) assesses photos by eye at the counter. These are the subject-side rules that decide whether your two prints clear consular review.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionHold a neutral face with the mouth closed. No smiling, frowning, raised eyebrows, or visible teeth.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be fully open and looking straight at the camera. No squinting and no red-eye.
- Square to cameraFace the camera directly with the head upright. Do not tilt, turn, or rotate the head, and keep the shoulders level.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesGlasses are not accepted for Samoan visa photos. Remove all prescription frames before the photo is taken.
- Sunglasses & tinted lensesSunglasses and any tinted or coloured lenses are prohibited. The eyes must be clearly visible with no shading across them.
Hair & facial hair
- Hair off the faceHair must not fall across the eyes or obscure the outline of the face. Tuck long fringes behind the ears or pin them back.
- Facial features visibleThe full face from chin to forehead must be visible. A new photo is required if facial hair, weight, or other features have changed enough to affect recognition.
Headwear
- No hats or capsHeadwear is not permitted for Samoan visa photos.
- Religious or medical head coveringsHead coverings worn for documented religious or medical reasons are accepted, provided the face is fully visible from chin to forehead with no shadow falling across it.
Clothing & accessories
- Everyday clothingWear normal day clothing that contrasts with a white background. Uniforms are discouraged.
- Jewellery and piercingsSmall everyday jewellery is acceptable provided it does not cover or cast shadow on the face.
Photo recency
- Recent likenessMPMC requires a recent photograph. Use an image taken within the last six months that reflects your current appearance.
- Faithful representationThe photo must be an unaltered, true likeness of the applicant. No skin smoothing, beautification, or feature modification.
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 Samoa’s visa channel that catch applicants out.
Two identical prints required
MPMC100 and MPMC105 both require two (2) identical printed photographs per applicant and per dependent. This is the one hard, explicitly stated requirement in the official forms.
No e-visa portal
Samoa does not operate an online visa portal. Applications are lodged on paper at the Immigration Division in Apia or Salelologa, or through a Samoan diplomatic mission, with the printed photographs attached to the form.
Most tourists do not need one
Since 1 August 2022 almost all nationalities receive a free 90-day Visitor Permit on arrival, with no photo submission required in advance. Visa photos are needed only for permit extensions, temporary residence, permanent residence, and similar long-stay applications.
US-based missions use 2×2 inch
When the application is filed through US-based Samoan diplomatic representation, such as the Embassy in Washington D.C., the prints follow the US 51×51 mm (2×2 in) convention rather than the 35×45 mm format used elsewhere.
Take your Samoa 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.