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Ethiopia Visa Photo Checker
Photo rules for Ethiopia visa applications depend on the issuing authority and application type. A mismatched size, background or framing can require a new photo.
Upload your photo above to review the checks available in ImageGates. A passing result is guidance, not an official approval.
Ethiopia uses 35×45 mm passport photos with a white background. Ethiopian passports are issued by the Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS). Photos must show a clear frontal view. Ethiopia recently introduced e-passports with enhanced security features.
Official Ethiopia visa photo rules we check
- Required size: 35×45 mm (413×531 px at 300 DPI)
- Required background: White
- Issuing authority: Immigration, Nationality & Vital Events Agency (INVEA)
- Print dimensions: 35×45 mm (1.38×1.77 inches)
- Digital size: 413×531 px at 300 DPI
- Background: White
Common Ethiopia visa rejection reasons
- Ethiopia-specific: Ordering 35×45 mm prints — Ethiopia requires 40×40 mm square.
- Ethiopia-specific: Using 6-month-old photos accepted elsewhere; INVEA enforces a 3-month window.
- Ethiopia-specific: Netela head-coverings that shadow the forehead.
- Aspect ratio drifted from 35:45 after a careless crop
- Soft focus or motion blur from a handheld phone shot in low light
- Background that looked white to your eye but reads as cream or grey to a calibrated scanner
How to pass the checker
Crop precisely to 35×45 mm
Use our free image cropper to pull the exact 35:45 ratio. Position your eyes near the upper third of the frame and leave roughly 5 mm of headroom above the hair — the proportions Immigration, Nationality & Vital Events Agency (INVEA) expects.
Re-shoot in flat, even lighting
Stand 1.5 m from a plain wall matching the required white background. Use two soft light sources (or window light through a thin curtain) on either side of your face to eliminate the shadow that triggers most Ethiopia rejections.
Replace the background if it's the wrong colour
If our checker flags the background, compare it with the selected specification (white). The background remover can help prepare another preview; confirm that edited photos are accepted by the authority.
Verify face coverage with the checker
Re-upload the corrected photo and compare the framing with the selected application's guidance. Requirements for head position can vary by application.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Ethiopian passport photo size?
4×4 cm (40×40 mm) square, on white background, taken within the last 3 months. Two identical colour prints are required at the INVEA office in Addis Ababa or regional capitals.
Why does Ethiopia use a square passport photo?
The 40×40 mm square format was adopted alongside the country's modern biometric passport rollout to standardise on a face-detection-friendly aspect ratio. Ethiopia and Ecuador are the two most-searched countries using this square.
How accurate is this Ethiopia visa photo checker?
Our checker reviews dimensions, aspect ratio, background, sharpness and face positioning with on-device detection where available. It cannot duplicate Immigration, Nationality & Vital Events Agency (INVEA)'s review or guarantee acceptance. Always check the official instructions for your application.
Does ImageGates upload my photo to a server?
No — every check runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. Your photo never leaves your device. That is unique among most online checkers and is why the tool also works offline once loaded.
What file formats does the checker accept for Ethiopia photos?
The checker accepts JPG, JPEG, PNG and WebP up to 20 MB. Check Immigration, Nationality & Vital Events Agency (INVEA)'s instructions for the file formats accepted by your specific application.