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Papua New Guinea citizenship photo requirements

The 35 × 45 mm photo rules set by PNG Immigration & Citizenship Services Authority (ICA) for the Papua New Guinea citizenship, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 6 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What size is the Papua New Guinea citizenship photo?

Papua New Guinea citizenship forms C2 to C8, covering resumption, naturalisation, marriage, descent and dual citizenship, ask for one recent photograph within 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in), head and shoulders, full face, with a light coloured background and no hat or tinted glasses. It is glued or taped to the form, not stapled, and an authorised officer confirms it is a true likeness.

Citizenship matters in Papua New Guinea are handled by the same authority that issues passports, the Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (ICA). Its citizenship page lists eight application forms, numbered C1 to C8. They cover registering an overseas birth, resuming citizenship, naturalisation as a sportsperson, investor or long-term resident, citizenship by marriage, citizenship by descent and approval to hold dual citizenship. Form C2 combines resumption with a dual citizenship request.

Unlike a passport application, the citizenship forms ask for a single photograph, not two. Forms C2 to C8 say it should be recent, show the head and shoulders only, be taken full face without a hat or tinted glasses against a light coloured background, and fit within 35 mm x 45 mm. A diagram on the information page is labelled with those dimensions, and the photograph itself is attached in the photo box on the first page of the application. Form C1 mentions a photo too but gives no size.

The picture is also part of the identity check. The officer who witnesses your signature must confirm that the photo is a true likeness of you, so choose a clear, recent shot that looks like you today.

Papua New Guinea citizenship photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by PNG Immigration & Citizenship Services Authority (ICA):[1]

Print sizeWithin 35mm x 45mm (forms C2 to C8); form C1 gives no size
Digital sizeNo digital file: one printed photo is attached to the paper form
BackgroundLight coloured background
Photo ageOne recent photograph; no maximum age published
Print qualityAttach with adhesive tape or glue; do not staple
Pixels when printed413 × 531 px at 300 dpi · 827 × 1063 px at 600 dpi (calculated)
35 mm45 mm
35 × 45 mm photo drawn to scale. Background: light coloured background.

In the official words

Exact wording from the official sources, quoted because the details matter:

Application for Citizenship by Naturalization

Application for Citizenship by Naturalization[6]

four (4) passport size photographs

Application for Citizenship by Naturalization[6]

you should submit one recent photograph

Application for Citizenship by Naturalization[6]

Key requirements

  • One photograph

    Forms C2 to C8 say to submit one recent photograph with the application. This differs from the two prints needed for a PNG passport. An older ICA page on naturalisation lists four passport size photographs, so confirm the number with the Citizenship Team if you are using that route.

  • Within 35 mm x 45 mm

    The size is stated in the information pages of C2 to C8 and a diagram beside the text is labelled 35mm and 45mm. Form C1, for registering an overseas birth, does not give a size.

  • Head and shoulders, full face

    The forms ask for a head-and-shoulders picture taken full face, without a hat or tinted glasses, and with a light coloured background.

  • Glue or tape, never staples

    The application page of each form has a box that says to attach the applicant's passport photo with adhesive tape or glue and not to staple it.

  • True likeness confirmation

    In PNG the signature is witnessed by a magistrate, court official or legal officer who is a commissioner of oaths. Overseas it may be a PNG consular official, an accredited public notary or a justice of the peace. That officer confirms the photo is a true likeness of you.

  • Forms and fees are separate

    The photo rule is the same across the forms, but fees and eligibility differ by form. Read the information pages at the front of the form you need before you apply.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Choose the form that matches your route, such as C2 for resumption or C5 for long-term residents.
  • Attach one recent photo within 35 x 45 mm in the box provided.
  • Use glue or adhesive tape to fix it.
  • Take it without a hat or tinted glasses.
  • Show the witnessing officer the photo when you sign.

Don't

  • Do not staple the photograph to the form.
  • Do not send an old picture that no longer looks like you.
  • Do not assume the passport rules of two prints and a signed back apply here.
  • Do not use a dark background; the forms ask for a light one.

Sample photos

How a Papua New Guinea citizenship 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.

Correct
Open-mouth smile
Head tilted
Too close: head too big
Too far: head too small
Busy background
Shadows on face or background
Glare on glasses

Illustrations, not real photos. The official rules above always take priority; some documents do not allow glasses at all.

Glasses

The forms ask for a photograph taken without tinted glasses. They do not mention clear glasses either way, so a photo with clear lenses that leave the eyes fully visible is the case to check with the Citizenship Team if you are unsure.

Headwear and religious dress

The wording is "without hat" and nothing is said about religious or cultural head coverings. If you wear one every day, ask the Citizenship Team before you lodge the photo, because the forms do not describe an exception.

Babies and children

Children can be part of a citizenship application in some routes, and C1 registers the overseas birth of a child. It has the authorised officer confirm that the photo included is a true likeness, but it gives no size, background or pose rule. For other forms read the front pages: for example, C2 says spouses and children cannot be included in your application and must apply separately on a form that suits their own circumstances. Use the same 35 x 45 mm photo style unless ICA says otherwise.

ICA publishes the forms as fillable PDFs that you complete on screen and then print. The photograph is not uploaded. It is a print attached to the printed form. A digital photo can be cropped and resized to the proportions of 35 x 45 mm and printed on a 4x6 inch sheet at a photo counter, then cut to size and stuck down.

Where to submit the photo

The forms say you or your representative can lodge the application at the Central Government Office in Waigani, Monday to Friday 9am to 12pm, and you receive a lodgement receipt. You can also post it to the Chief Migration Officer at PO Box 1790, Boroko, National Capital District. The forms add that if you are overseas you may lodge at the nearest PNG embassy, high commission or consulate.

The fee must be paid before you lodge, and the original receipt goes with the application. ICA recommends reading its Applicant Guidebook and contacting the Citizenship Team before you pay anything.

How to get your Papua New Guinea citizenship photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Papua New Guinea citizenship: 35 × 45 mm print, light coloured background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: one photograph; within 35 mm x 45 mm; head and shoulders, full face; glue or tape, never staples.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. ICA publishes the forms as fillable PDFs that you complete on screen and then print. The photograph is not uploaded. It is a print attached to the printed form.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. The forms say you or your representative can lodge the application at the Central Government Office in Waigani, Monday to Friday 9am to 12pm, and you receive a lodgement receipt.

Make this photo online

Papua New Guinea citizenship photo FAQ

One photograph within 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in). Forms C2 to C8 state it as 35mm x 45mm and draw a box of those dimensions. Form C1 asks for a photo but gives no size.

One, according to forms C2 to C8. An older ICA page on naturalisation lists four passport size photographs, which conflicts, so check with ICA if you are applying for naturalisation.

A light coloured background. The forms do not name white specifically, but white is a light colour and the PNG passport checklists ask for it, so it is a safe choice.

No. The photo box on page 1 of the form says to attach the applicant's passport photo with adhesive tape or glue and not to staple it.

The size is the same, 35 x 45 mm, but the citizenship forms ask for one photo, while the passport application asks for two, with a signed endorsement on the back of one.

The authorised officer who witnesses your signature. In PNG that is a magistrate, court official or legal officer; overseas it can be a PNG consular official, a public notary or a justice of the peace. They confirm the photo is a true likeness.

Yes. Form C8, the application by a PNG citizen to hold dual citizenship, repeats the rule: one recent photograph within 35mm x 45mm, head and shoulders, full face, light background, without a hat or tinted glasses.

The forms say that if you are overseas you may lodge the application at the nearest PNG embassy, high commission or consulate. Fees are paid at a PNG diplomatic mission in local currency when you are outside PNG.

Related photo specifications

Other Papua New Guinea documents

Citizenship and naturalisation nearby

Also 35 × 45 mm

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Official sources

  1. PNG Immigration & Citizenship Services Authority (ICA). Citizenship and Dual Citizenship ica.gov.pg. Checked 2 November 2026.
  2. PNG Immigration & Citizenship Services Authority (ICA). Form C2: Request for Resumption of Citizenship and Dual Citizenship ica.gov.pg. Checked 2 November 2026.
  3. PNG Immigration & Citizenship Services Authority (ICA). Form C5: Request for Citizenship by Naturalisation, Long Term Residency ica.gov.pg. Checked 2 November 2026.
  4. PNG Immigration & Citizenship Services Authority (ICA). Form C8: Application by PNG Citizen to Hold Dual Citizenship ica.gov.pg. Checked 2 November 2026.
  5. PNG Immigration & Citizenship Services Authority (ICA). Form C1: Registration of Overseas Birth ica.gov.pg. Checked 2 November 2026.
  6. PNG Immigration & Citizenship Services Authority (ICA). Application for Citizenship by Naturalization ica.gov.pg. Checked 2 November 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with PNG Immigration & Citizenship Services Authority (ICA) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"Papua New Guinea citizenship photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/papua-new-guinea/citizenship-photo

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