Somali Passport Photo (ICA: two recent passport photographs; ICAO 35 x 45 mm reference): size and requirements
The Somali 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 Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA), Federal Government of Somalia - 'Our Services: Passport Services' requirements, with the ICAO Doc 9303 Part 3 reference frame.
For a Somali biometric e-passport issued by the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (first issue, renewal or replacement), whose published requirements are a national ID or citizenship certificate, 'Two recent passport photographs', the form and the fee - a count with no size, background or head rule, so the frame, head band and background here are the ICAO Doc 9303 reference. Not for the Somali eTAS visa, which takes an uploaded selfie or photo (separate page here).
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 ('Two recent passport photographs' with no size; 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
- Prints needed
- 2
- We deliver
- 413 x 531 px (300 DPI), plus a 4 x 6 inch print sheet
What trips people up
- CheckThe whole published list: 'National ID or citizenship certificate', 'Two recent passport photographs', 'Completed application form', 'Applicable service fee'. No size, background, head or recency rule is given - our 35 x 45 mm frame and 70-80 per cent head band are the ICAO Doc 9303 reference, and 'recent' is not defined, so we apply the ICAO six-month limit.
- CheckWhat the Agency issues: 'Issuance of the new biometric Somali e-passport', 'Passport renewal and replacement', 'Replacements for lost or damaged passports', 'Emergency travel documents'. The Agency's news (15 January 2026) announces 'a new Somali passport for 2026, with enhanced security features and full alignment with international (ICAO) standards'; whether the biometric enrolment also captures a live image is not stated, so keep the two prints and ask the office.
- CheckFees and processing times are not on the page ('Applicable service fee'); consular services for citizens abroad run through the Support Office for Consular Services and the diplomatic missions, whose requirements 'have not yet been published'.
- CheckICAO reference frame: 'Submitted portraits should be 45.0 mm x 35.0 mm (1.77 in x 1.38 in) in dimension.' with a plain light background; if a Somali office or mission names another size, follow it.
- CheckThe visa side is separate: foreigners apply on etas.gov.so with an uploaded selfie or photo, not prints.
Good to know before you pay
Two identical recent prints from any photo counter satisfy the published list; use ours when you want an ICAO-framed pair from a phone photo or when an office specifies 35 x 45.
Source and verification
No national rule published; ICAO 9303 standard applies. Last checked 2026-10-10 (archived copy dated 2024-09-12) at Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA), Federal Government of Somalia - 'Our Services: Passport Services' requirements, with the ICAO Doc 9303 Part 3 reference frame.
Two recent passport photographs
National ID or citizenship certificate
Issuance of the new biometric Somali e-passport
We issue secure biometric Somali e-passports to citizens for travel, work, study, and other international engagements.
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.
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
