Malawi Passport Photo (biometrics captured live at the Immigration Office; ICAO 35 x 45 mm reference): size and requirements
The Malawi Passport Photo size is 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches). Not published; white is our rendering choice for the reference frame; head 70 to 80 percent of the photo height. Photo taken within the last 6 months. Last verified 2026-10-10 against Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, Republic of Malawi - 'Passport Process', 'Apply for ePassport' and 'How to Fill Your Application Form', with the ICAO Doc 9303 Part 3 reference frame.
For a Malawian ePassport, as a reference only: the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services interviews every applicant at its Blantyre, Lilongwe or Mzuzu office and captures the picture, fingerprints and signature live, so no print is listed and the frame, head band and background here are the ICAO Doc 9303 defaults. Not for a Malawi e-Visa, which takes an uploaded scanned photograph (separate page here).
The Immigration Office captures your picture live at the interview; our 35 x 45 mm ICAO frame is only a reference if a mission asks for a print. See all Malawi documents.
Requirements at a glance
- Size
- 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches)
- Head height
- Head 70 to 80 percent of the photo height (no photo rule published (the office captures the picture live); ICAO Doc 9303 crown-to-chin 70 to 80 per cent of the 45 mm height applied as a reference)
- Background
- not published; white is our rendering choice for the reference frame
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking at the camera
- Glasses
- Allowed without glare or tint
- Head covering
- Only for religious or medical reasons; full face visible
- Photo age
- Taken within the last 6 months
- We deliver
- 413 x 531 px (300 DPI), plus a 4 x 6 inch print sheet
What trips people up
- CheckThe office takes the picture: 'The applicant will also have his/her biometrics (picture, fingerprints and signature) captured live and finally pay for the passport at the Malawi Savings Bank located within the Immigration Offices.' No photograph appears in the department's checklist text, so do not pay for prints.
- CheckBefore the counter: collect and fill the form in capital letters with a black ball-point pen, 'Have part B commissioned by a Magistrate or a Commissioner for Oaths.', confirm your place of origin on part C at the District Commissioner's office, then 'Present himself or herself at one of the following Immigration Offices ; Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu depending on where the applicant is residing for easy follow up and be subjected to thorough interviews by the Immigration Officer at the counter.'
- CheckOnline start: 'You can apply for Malawi ePassport by using this link' - ePassport.gov.mw, which did not resolve when we checked; the department's own pages still describe the paper form and the in-person interview.
- CheckForm rules: names of at most twenty-one characters, no felt-tip or fountain pen, no correction fluid, no corrections in part B; attach photocopies or originals per the checklist.
- CheckICAO reference frame: 'Submitted portraits should be 45.0 mm x 35.0 mm (1.77 in x 1.38 in) in dimension.' with the head 70 to 80 per cent of the height and a plain light background - only for a Malawian mission that asks for a print.
Source and verification
No national rule published; ICAO 9303 standard applies. Last checked 2026-10-10 (archived copy dated 2024-09-12) at Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, Republic of Malawi - 'Passport Process', 'Apply for ePassport' and 'How to Fill Your Application Form', with the ICAO Doc 9303 Part 3 reference frame.
The applicant will also have his/her biometrics (picture, fingerprints and signature) captured live and finally pay for the passport at the Malawi Savings Bank located within the Immigration Offices.
Present himself or herself at one of the following Immigration Offices ; Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu depending on where the applicant is residing for easy follow up and be subjected to thorough interviews by the Immigration Officer at the counter.
Have part B commissioned by a Magistrate or a Commissioner for Oaths.
You can apply for Malawi ePassport by using this link
Submitted portraits should be 45.0 mm x 35.0 mm (1.77 in x 1.38 in) in dimension.
The crown-to-chin portion of the facial image shall be 70 to 80 per cent of the longest dimension defined for Zone V, maintaining the aspect ratio between the crown-to-chin and ear-to-ear details of the face of the holder.
A submitted portrait shall have been captured within the last six months before application, as outlined in [ISO/IEC 39794-5]. Portraits with a capture time dating back more than three months should not be accepted.
We are an independent service, not a government website. Applying for a passport or visa is done with your government; we only prepare the photo.
Frequently asked questions
