May 29, 2026 · Kenya
Kenyan Passport Photo Requirements 2026 – Immigration Department Rules
The Kenya Department of Immigration issues the Kenyan passport using ICAO biometric standards. This guide covers the official photo specifications for the standard Kenyan passport and the East Africa EAC biometric e-Passport, the Kitambulisho national ID card, and the important digital photo process for the Kenyan e-Visa through the EvaSA portal.
Quick summary
35×45mm, plain white background, neutral expression, no glasses, both eyes fully visible, taken within 6 months. EAC biometric e-Passport since 2017. Kenyan e-Visa (EvaSA) requires a digital photo upload — no printed photo is needed for the visa application.
Core Photo Requirements
The following specifications apply to all Kenyan passport applications and renewals at Immigration Department offices within Kenya and at the Kenyan Embassy in Berlin and other Kenyan diplomatic missions abroad.
- Size: 35mm wide × 45mm tall (ICAO standard).
- Background: Plain white. No shadows, patterns, or colour gradients. The background must be uniformly white.
- Expression: Neutral. Mouth closed. Both eyes fully open and directed at the camera.
- Glasses: Not permitted. Kenya Immigration follows the ICAO standard prohibiting all eyewear in biometric passport photos.
- Recency: Taken within 6 months of the application date.
- Colour: Full colour only. Black-and-white photos are not accepted.
- Head coverings: Permitted only for religious or medical reasons, provided the full face from chin to crown is fully visible.
- Retouching: No digital filters or alterations to your appearance.
East Africa EAC Biometric e-Passport (Since 2017)
Kenya introduced the East Africa Community (EAC) standardised biometric e-Passport in 2017. The document contains a contactless chip storing the holder's facial biometric data and fingerprints in line with ICAO Doc 9303. The EAC e-Passport is part of a regional standardisation effort across EAC member states to facilitate easier intra-regional travel and automated border processing.
The photo requirements for the EAC biometric e-Passport are identical to the standard Kenyan passport: 35×45mm, plain white background, neutral expression, no glasses, taken within 6 months.
Kenyan e-Visa (EvaSA): Digital Photo — No Printed Photo Required
The Kenyan e-Visa is applied for through the EvaSA portal(Electronic Travel Authorisation and eVisa System for Africa). The process is entirely digital — no printed 35×45mm photo is needed. Instead, you upload a digital photograph during the online application. The digital photo must show a plain white background, neutral expression, no glasses, and the full face clearly visible. Confirm the current EvaSA file format and size requirements on the official portal before uploading.
Kitambulisho cha Taifa (Kenyan National ID Card)
The Kitambulisho cha Taifa (National Identity Card) is issued to Kenyan citizens aged 18 and over by the National Registration Bureau (NRB). It uses the same 35×45mm ICAO photo specifications as the Kenyan passport:
- 35×45mm, plain white background, neutral expression, no glasses.
- The photo may be captured on-site at an NRB registration office.
- Kenyan citizens applying for the national ID for the first time must attend in person for biometric enrolment.
Confirm the current photo submission process — whether you need to bring a printed photo or whether biometric capture is done on-site — with your nearest NRB office.
Kenyan Documents: Photo Requirement Comparison
| Document | Photo size | Background | Glasses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇰🇪 Kenyan Passport (standard) | 35×45mm | White | No | ICAO, Immigration Dept |
| 🇰🇪 EAC Biometric e-Passport | 35×45mm | White | No | EAC standard, since 2017 |
| 🪪 Kitambulisho (National ID) | 35×45mm | White | No | NRB, nationals only |
| 🛂 Kenyan e-Visa (EvaSA) | Digital upload | White | No | No printed photo needed |
Always verify current requirements with the Kenya Department of Immigration (immigration.go.ke) or your nearest Kenyan Embassy.
Common Rejection Reasons for Kenyan Passport Photos
Glasses or eyewear visible
Remove all glasses before the photo. Prescription frames are not exempt from the ICAO requirement.
Background not plain white
Use a uniformly white background. Off-white, cream, light grey, or coloured backgrounds are not accepted.
Shadow on the face or background
Stand at least 1 metre from the background wall. Use even front lighting to eliminate all shadows.
Photo older than 6 months
Retake the photo within 6 months of your application date.
Non-neutral expression or eyes not fully open
Maintain a relaxed neutral expression with both eyes fully open and looking directly at the camera.
Digital filters or beauty retouching applied
Submit the photo without any digital filters, skin smoothing, or appearance alterations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Kenyan passport photo?
Kenyan passport photos must be 35×45mm (width × height), following the ICAO biometric standard. The face must be centred, fully visible from chin to crown, with a neutral expression and both eyes fully open.
What background colour is required for a Kenyan passport photo?
The background must be plain white, uniformly lit with no shadows on the background or behind the head. The Kenya Department of Immigration follows the ICAO white background requirement.
Are glasses allowed in Kenyan passport photos?
No. The Kenya Department of Immigration requires passport photos without glasses, following the ICAO biometric standard. All eyewear — including prescription glasses — must be removed before the photo is taken.
What is the East Africa EAC biometric e-Passport?
The East Africa Community (EAC) biometric e-Passport is a standardised passport issued by Kenya since 2017. It contains a contactless chip storing the holder's biometric data in line with ICAO Doc 9303. The photo requirements are the same as the standard Kenyan passport: 35×45mm, white background, no glasses.
Is the Kenyan national ID (Kitambulisho) photo the same as the passport photo?
The Kenyan national ID card (Kitambulisho cha Taifa) uses the same 35×45mm ICAO photo specifications as the passport — white background, neutral expression, no glasses. Confirm whether you need a printed photo or whether on-site capture is performed at your NRB office.
Do I need to print a photo for a Kenyan e-Visa?
No. The Kenyan e-Visa is applied for digitally through the EvaSA portal. The process requires a digital photo upload — no printed 35×45mm photo is needed. The digital photo must show a plain white background, neutral expression, and no glasses.
Always verify current requirements with the official authority — Kenya Department of Immigration (immigration.go.ke) or your nearest Kenyan Embassy or High Commission. Requirements may be updated without notice.
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