Eritrea passport photo requirements
The 35 × 45 mm photo rules set by Embassy of the State of Eritrea, Washington DC for the Eritrea passport, with the official wording and sources.
Quick answer
What size is the Eritrea passport photo?
An Eritrean passport photo is 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) on a white background, according to the Eritrean embassies in Washington and New Delhi and the consulate in Melbourne. Face the camera with eyes open, mouth closed and no smile, with forehead and ears visible. Only prescription glasses and religious head coverings are allowed. The number of prints depends on the mission, and the embassy in Berne takes the photo at its office.
Eritrean passports are issued to citizens who hold the Eritrean National ID, and to children of Eritrean parents, according to the embassy in Washington. Most applicants live abroad and apply through an Eritrean embassy or consulate, so the checklist you follow is the one published by your nearest mission. No page from an authority inside Eritrea that sets a passport photo specification was found, and the embassy pages read do not name the department in Eritrea that issues the book.
Where a mission states the size, the answer is the same: 35 x 45 mm on a white background. Washington asks for three photos and New Delhi for four taken within the last six months. London asks for two with "the same specifications as the UK Passport" and a pure white background, and Melbourne asks for two and publishes an "Accepted Photos" page. The embassy in Berne works differently, because its Tigrinya-language service page says the photo is taken at the office and nothing needs to be brought.
Methods of applying also differ. Washington uses an online form and posts the old passport to the embassy, London works by appointment only, and Melbourne asks for a form, copies and a return envelope by post. None of these pages gives a head height or eye-line measurement, only that the face is centred and faces straight forward. Read the page of the mission you will use before you print anything.
Eritrea passport photo size and specifications
The requirements as published by Embassy of the State of Eritrea, Washington DC:[1]
| Print size | 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Digital size | No pixel or file rule published on any mission page read |
| Background | White (London: "pure white"; Melbourne: coloured photo on white) |
| Colour | Colour (Melbourne: "Coloured photo on white background") |
| Photo age | New Delhi: "Recent (6 months)"; Washington, London, Melbourne: not stated |
| Print quality | Melbourne: "High resolution, good quality paper" |
| Pixels when printed | 413 × 531 px at 300 dpi · 827 × 1063 px at 600 dpi (calculated) |
Key requirements
- Follow the mission that takes your application
The size and background agree across missions, but the number of photos does not: three at Washington, four at New Delhi, two at London and Melbourne, and none at Berne, where the photo is taken at the office.
- Plain white background, face centred
Washington lists "White background" and "Centered and facing straight forward". London asks for a "pure white background", and Melbourne asks for a coloured photo on white.
- Forehead and ears visible
Washington says "Hair off your face so forehead and ears fully visible", with "Open eyes, closed mouth".
- Natural expression
Washington says "Natural expression (no smile, laugh or frown)". Melbourne asks for a "Neutral expression, mouth closed" and eyes "looking directly at camera".
- Prescription glasses only
Washington lists "Prescription glasses only" and Melbourne says "Only prescription glasses allowed". Sunglasses are therefore not accepted.
- Even lighting
Melbourne asks for "Good lighting, no shadows behind head or on face", printed on "good quality paper" at high resolution.
- National ID comes first
London says an applicant without an Eritrean National ID must first apply for and be issued one before applying for a passport. Washington lists the ID for anyone aged 18 or over.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Check the photo list of the embassy or consulate that will receive your application.
- Use a plain white background and centre your face.
- Look straight at the camera with eyes open and mouth closed.
- Pull your hair back so your forehead and ears show.
- Light your face evenly so no shadows fall behind your head or on your face.
- Print at 35 x 45 mm on good quality paper when prints are required.
Don't
- Do not smile, laugh or frown.
- Do not wear sunglasses or any glasses that are not prescription glasses.
- Do not wear a hat or cap unless it is a religious head covering.
- Do not copy the number of prints from another mission's page.
- Do not prepare prints for the Berne embassy: it takes the photo itself.
- Do not send a digital file in place of prints unless your mission asks for one.
Sample photos
How a Eritrea passport photo should look, and the mistakes that most often get photos rejected. Each example is drawn to this document's 35 × 45 mm and background colour.
Illustrations, not real photos. The official rules above always take priority; some documents do not allow glasses at all.
Glasses
Washington lists "Prescription glasses only" for every passport service, and the Melbourne consulate says "Only prescription glasses allowed". The embassy in Berne, in its Tigrinya-language page, allows regular prescription glasses and rules out sunglasses.
Take the glasses off if they are not prescription lenses. If you do wear prescription glasses, keep the frames clear of your eyes and avoid glare, because Melbourne also asks for no shadows on the face.
Headwear and religious dress
Washington says "Only religious hats or scarfs are allowed", and Melbourne says "Only religious hats/scarves allowed". Berne, reading its Tigrinya page in translation, accepts head coverings tied to religious faith and rejects caps, hats and sunglasses.
Washington's list also asks for the forehead and ears to be fully visible. It does not say how that applies to a religious covering, so ask the embassy if yours covers the ears.
Babies and children
The Washington embassy lists an "Underage Passport" with the same photo rules as an adult passport: three photos of 35 x 45 mm on a white background, face centred, forehead and ears visible, eyes open and mouth closed. It adds no separate rule for babies or young children.
London says any Eritrean citizen, whatever their age, has the right to hold an Eritrean passport. The pages read give no age limit for the photo and no guidance on a baby who cannot hold the head up, so ask the mission before you print.
Printed and digital photos
The mission pages read speak of photos or photographs, with no pixel size, file format or upload rule. The Washington page asks for three photos and lists a "Photo Printing fee" among its fees without explaining it, and it does not say how the photos reach the embassy. Ask the embassy whether it accepts a digital file before you send one.
A digital photo can be cropped and resized to 35 x 45 mm, or printed on a 4x6 inch sheet at a photo counter and cut to size. New Delhi wants the photos taken in the last six months, so use a recent picture.
Where to submit the photo
Eritrea's missions each run their own process. The Washington embassy takes applications through its Consular Affairs Processing System, where you pick the passport type, complete and sign the form online and pay online, and you mail your original old passport or the complete underage application to the embassy.
The New Delhi embassy asks you to submit the documents and then contacts you about payment. London serves applicants by appointment only. The Melbourne consulate supplies the form on request and takes the documents by post with a self-addressed prepaid return envelope. In Berne you fill in the online ID form and the photo is taken when you attend.
How to get your Eritrea passport photo
- Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Eritrea passport: 35 × 45 mm print, white background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
- Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: follow the mission that takes your application; plain white background, face centred; forehead and ears visible; natural expression.
- Prepare a print or digital file. The mission pages read speak of photos or photographs, with no pixel size, file format or upload rule.
- Submit the photo with your application. Eritrea's missions each run their own process.
Eritrea passport photo FAQ
The missions that state a size give 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in): the Eritrean embassies in Washington and New Delhi and the consulate in Melbourne. London refers to the UK passport specification, and the Berne embassy takes the photo itself.
White. Washington and New Delhi list a white background, London asks for a "pure white background", and Melbourne asks for a coloured photo on white. No mission page read allows another colour.
It depends on the mission. Washington asks for three (two for a laissez-passer), New Delhi asks for four, London and Melbourne ask for two, and the Berne embassy asks for none because it takes the photo at the office.
Only prescription glasses. Washington lists "Prescription glasses only" and Melbourne says "Only prescription glasses allowed". Do not wear sunglasses or tinted lenses.
Religious head coverings are allowed. Washington says "Only religious hats or scarfs are allowed" and Melbourne says "Only religious hats/scarves allowed". Plain hats and caps are not accepted, and the forehead and ears should show.
No. Washington asks for a "Natural expression (no smile, laugh or frown)" with eyes open and mouth closed, and Melbourne asks for a neutral expression with the mouth closed.
Yes, for most applicants. London says an applicant without the ID must first apply for and be issued one. Washington lists the National ID for anyone aged 18 or over, and New Delhi asks for a scanned ID or a birth certificate.
The Washington, New Delhi, London and Melbourne pages ask you to supply photos and do not require a studio. Follow their size, background and expression rules, light your face evenly and print on good paper. Berne takes the photo at its office.
None is published. The mission pages read give no pixel size, file size or format. Ask your embassy or consulate whether it accepts a digital file and in what form before you send one.
Related photo specifications
Passports nearby
- Comoros passport photo
- Djibouti passport photo 35 × 45 mm
- Ethiopia passport photo 30 × 40 mm
- Kenya passport photo 2 × 2 in
- Malawi passport photo 35 × 45 mm
- Mauritius passport photo 35 × 45 mm
- Mayotte passport photo 35 × 45 mm
- Mozambique passport photo
- Réunion assport photo 35 × 45 mm
- Seychelles passport photo
Also 35 × 45 mm
- Afghanistan visa photo 35 × 45 mm
- Algeria passport photo 35 × 45 mm
- Algeria visa photo 35 × 45 mm
- Algeria ID card photo 35 × 45 mm
- Algeria residence permit photo 35 × 45 mm
- Algeria work permit photo 35 × 45 mm
- Andorra passport photo 35 × 45 mm
- Anguilla passport photo 35 × 45 mm
- Antigua and Barbuda passport photo 35 × 45 mm
- Armenia visa photo 35 × 45 mm
- All Eritrea photo specifications
- Passports: photo rules by country
- Every document that uses a 35 × 45 mm photo
- Photo specifications in Africa
Official sources
- Embassy of the State of Eritrea, Washington DC. Passport (requirements for new, replacement, renewal and underage passports) us.embassyeritrea.org. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Embassy of the State of Eritrea, New Delhi. Passport Information eritreaembindia.com. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Embassy of the State of Eritrea, London. Consular Services (Eritrean passport, ID card and visa requirements) eritreanembassyuk.org.uk. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Embassy of the State of Eritrea, Berne. Services to Eritrean nationals (in Tigrinya) home.eritreaembassy.ch. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Consulate of the State of Eritrea, Melbourne. Passport (new, renewal and lost passport) ericon.org.au. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Consulate of the State of Eritrea, Melbourne. Accepted Photos ericon.org.au. Checked 3 November 2026.
Requirements can change, so always confirm with Embassy of the State of Eritrea, Washington DC before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.
Cite this page
"Eritrea passport photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/eritrea/passport-photo