By following the Kenya Passport Photo Guide, you contribute to a successful and stress-free application process, ensuring your travels are secure and enjoyable.
Dimensions1
- Size: 2 inches x 2 inches (51 mm x 51 mm)
Face Appearance
- Expression: Neutral, no smiling
- Eyes: Open and looking directly at the camera
- Head position: Straight and centered
- Full face: Entire face visible, including forehead, chin, and both ears
- Headwear: Not allowed, except for religious purposes, with official documentation proving the requirement.
- Glasses: Acceptable if they do not cover any part of your eyes, including the iris or pupil. Avoid glare on the lenses.
- Hair: Should not cover your face.
Photo Format
- Color: Full color, accurately representing your natural skin tones and hair color.
- Background: Plain white, with no patterns, shadows, or unevenness.
- Clarity: Clear and sharp, with all facial features easily distinguishable. No blurriness or fuzziness.
- Focus: The entire photo, especially your face, should be in focus.
- Recency: The photo must have been taken within the last six (6) months.
- Quantity: Four (4) identical photos are required.
Knowing the Kenya Passport Photo Guide is crucial for several reasons:
Ensuring a Smooth Application Process
- Acceptance of your application: Meeting the photo requirements is mandatory for your application to be considered. Non-compliant photos will lead to rejection and processing delays.
- Time and Cost Savings: Following the guide saves you from resubmitting photos and incurring additional fees or application costs associated with rejections.
Travel Security and Verification
- Accuracy: A compliant photo ensures your identification matches your physical appearance at border control and throughout your travels. This contributes to smoother border crossings and reduces security concerns.
- Preventing Fraud and Identity Theft: A clear and consistent photo helps authorities deter impersonation and potential fraudulent activity, enhancing your travel security.
Personal Convenience and Peace of Mind:
- Avoiding Stress and Frustration: Knowing the requirements beforehand eliminates the stress of uncertainty and potential last-minute photo scrambling.
- Confidence and Clarity: Understanding the guide empowers you to take the right steps and ensures your application progresses smoothly, giving you peace of mind.
Visas for Future Passport Photo Service
Use the Visas for Future passport photo service to get a passport photo that’ll work for your application. Simply take a photo of yourself using our guidelines, send it in and we’ll edit it. We’ll send you your passport photos by post with free shipping. We deliver to Canada, the EU, the US, and the UK. For individuals outside of those countries, we can deliver your passport photos to your inbox, which you can print at home. For every product sold, we plant a tree!
How it works
Take a photo.
We verify your photo.
Passport photos are delivered by post or email.
How to take your passport photo
Here’s how you can take passport photos at home to ensure that they’ll be high quality:
1.) Stand .5 meters or 2 feet from the wall. This ensures that there’s no shadow on your portrait.
2.) Place the camera 2 meters or 6 feet away from the subject. This will prevent distortion and give you a prettier picture!
3.) Have the camera on the same level as the subject’s face.
4.) Use plenty of lighting. Natural light is preferred but plenty of light, in general, is the best. Make sure it is even and doesn’t leave a shadow.
Benefits of using an online passport photo service
There are many choices when it comes to getting a passport photo but here are reasons why you should go with an online agent:
- You don’t have to leave your house.
- We know the passport photo rules of the country you’re applying to.
- We validate your photo – we check your passport photo to make sure it is in order.
- Save money with bulk orders – you can order many passport photos and save.
Why choose us
Visas for Future is a convenient service that can help you with your passport photo needs. Here are six reasons why you should choose Visas for Future for your passport photo services:
- Expertise: Our experts ensure that your passport photo meets the official requirements of your destination country.
- Convenience: You can upload your photo or take one with your smartphone, and we will crop, resize, and enhance it to create a perfect biometric photo.
- Support: We’re visa and passport photo experts. You can ask us travel questions, making your trip-planning process easier.
- Speed: Your photos are shipped within a day!
- Unlimited retakes: You can also take as many photos as you want until you are satisfied with the result.
Criteria and guidelines for Kenya passport and visa photos for babies, infants, and children
General Requirements
- Size: Same as adults – 2 inches x 2 inches (51 mm x 51 mm) for passport and 35mm x 45mm for visa (online application).
- Color: Full color.
- Background: Plain white.
- Recency: The photo must have been taken within the last six months.
- Quantity: Four (4) identical photos are required.
Newborns and Infants (up to 1 year old)
- Lying down position: An adult can hold the baby lying on their back with their head upright and facing the camera. Ensure the baby’s entire face is visible, including forehead, chin, and ears. Use a plain white sheet or blanket as the background.
- Parental assistance: An adult’s hands (without jewelry) can gently support the baby’s head and shoulders to achieve the correct position. Keep the hands out of the frame as much as possible.
- Neutral expression: While capturing a natural expression is ideal, a slightly closed or open mouth is acceptable for this age group.
- Open eyes: For newborns and infants under one (1) year old, it is acceptable for their eyes to be closed or partially open in the photo.
Toddlers and Young Children (1-3 years old)
- Sitting position: Seat the child upright in a chair with a plain white background. Ensure their full face is visible and avoid tilted heads.
- Parental guidance: A parent or guardian can stand behind the child to gently guide their head position and encourage them to look at the camera.
- Neutral expression: Aim for a relaxed and neutral expression. Pacifiers, toys, or animated faces close to the child should be avoided to prevent obscured features or unwanted smiles.
- Open eyes: Encourage the child to look directly at the camera with open eyes. If closed eyes are unavoidable, multiple attempts might be necessary.
Older Children (4-11 years old)
- Independent standing: Children in this age group can usually stand independently in front of the camera with minimal assistance.
- Clear instructions: Explain the importance of facing the camera directly, maintaining a neutral expression.
- Open eyes: Encourage the child to look directly at the camera with open eyes. Gentle reminders might be necessary.
Advice, tips, and recommendations for capturing a passport photo successfully
Here are some tips and recommendations for capturing a successful passport photo:
Before you shoot
- Plan your outfit: Choose clothing contrasting with the background and avoid busy patterns or logos. Opt for neutral colors like solid white, black, or blue.
- Find a good location: Natural light is best. Position yourself near a window with indirect sunlight to avoid harsh shadows. If using artificial light, ensure it’s bright and even.
- Prepare your background: Use a plain white wall, sheet, or backdrop. Ensure it’s wrinkle-free and well-lit.
During the shoot
- Use a camera with good resolution: Aim for at least 2 megapixels. Smartphones can work well if they have a high-quality camera.
- Set the camera level: Position the camera at eye level for a balanced, natural-looking portrait.
- Frame your shot correctly: Center yourself in the frame with enough space above your head. Include your shoulders and upper torso.
- Maintain a neutral expression: Keep your mouth closed and avoid smiling. Relax your face and maintain a natural gaze.
- Keep your eyes open and clear: Look directly at the camera with both eyes visible. No squinting or covering your eyes with hair.
- Minimize shadows and glare: Adjust your position and lighting to avoid shadows on your face or reflections on your glasses.
- Take multiple photos: Capture several shots to ensure you have at least a few good options.
Getting a Kenya passport photo online
- Go to Visas for Future and click on “Get passport photo now” button.
- Fill out the order form and pay the fee of $5.50
- Upload your photo: You can upload an existing one from your computer. Make sure the photo is clear, not blurry.
- Download: You can download the digital photo file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need for a passport in Kenya?
For first-time applications
1. Original birth certificate and a copy (citizens by birth)
2. Certificate of Registration and a copy (citizens by registration)
3. Original national identity card and a copy (adults)
4. Copy of the recommender’s national identity card
5. Duly filled Consent Form for minors (applicable)
6. Copies of parents’ national identity cards/ Death certificates where applicable (minors)
7. Original and Copies of parents’ birth certificates (minors)
8. Payment of the prescribed fee
What is the pixel size of a passport photo in Kenya?
For the eCitizen online application, the required photo size is 207×207 pixels.
Which passport is available in Kenya?
Only one type of passport is available in Kenya for its citizens: the Kenyan passport. It comes in three variations based on the applicant’s purpose:
1. Ordinary Passport: Issued for regular travel and tourism
2. Diplomatic Passport: Issued to diplomats and government officials for official travel
3. East African Community (EAC) Passport: Issued for travel within the East African Community member states (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan)
Can I wear a shirt in my passport photo?
Yes, you can wear a shirt in your Kenya passport photo. It’s highly recommended and expected. There are no specific requirements regarding the type of shirt as long as it adheres to these general guidelines:
1. Modest attire: Avoid plunging necklines, revealing clothing, or clothing with offensive slogans or logos.
2. Solid colors: Choose plain colors that contrast well with the white background.
3. Appropriate fit: Opt for a well-fitting shirt that doesn’t wrinkle or obscure your face.
- Kenya Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (eTA). (2020). Etakenya.go.ke. <https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en> [↩]
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Written by
Apple Gajes 
Apple is a skilled content writer of Visas For Future who had a bachelor's degree in Education. She does well at producing high-quality visa articles and continuously upgrading her skills by actively engaging herself to various courses and training opportunities. She also contributes to travel forms and visa fulfillment in Turkey and India. Committed to writing exceptional visa articles, she performs real visa orders and provides customer support quarterly to stay abreast of the visa processing process.
Managed by Glen Vidania
Glen Vidania is the Content Manager at Visas for Future, a company that offers online visa services for eco-friendly travelers. He is a certified Content Marketer and an experienced academic writer. He writes and promotes content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the readers. He had work experience and gained skills in writing articles, data entry, SEO email marketing, and guest posting. He is also an expert in applying for visas for Turkey and India.
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MLA Style
Gajes, Apple. "Kenya Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/kenya-passport-photo-size/. Accessed on 15 September 2023.
Chicago Style
Gajes, Apple. "Kenya Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future. September 15, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/kenya-passport-photo-size/.