Kenya's East African e-passport uses the ICAO 35 × 45 mm portrait format with the head filling 70–80% of the frame. Photos are uploaded digitally through eCitizen, and hidden ears or a shadowed background are the most common reasons a file is refused. Full Department of Immigration Services specification below.
Make a Kenya Passport Photo →Per Kenya's Department of Immigration Services (eCitizen portal). The same ICAO format applies to applications filed at Kenyan embassies and consulates abroad.
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm portrait (1.4 × 1.8 inches) |
|---|---|
| Head height | 70 – 80% of the photo height, head centered and facing forward |
| Background | Plain, uniform light background — white is safest. No shadows, patterns or objects |
| Resolution | Sharp colour JPEG; ~413 × 531 px at 300 DPI for the eCitizen upload |
| Head position | Full frontal face, no tilt, both ears visible — hair tucked behind the ears |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Glasses | Best removed; if worn, clear lenses only with no glare, frames clear of the eyes |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open and looking at the camera |
| Clothing | Dark, solid colours that contrast with a light background; no uniforms |
eCitizen uploads are checked automatically, so size and framing errors are caught immediately.
Face a window against a plain white wall. Stand about 0.5–1 m away so no shadow falls behind your head.
Camera at eye level, shoulders square, neutral expression, mouth closed. Both ears should be visible.
Upload to IDPhotoWork — we crop to the ICAO format, set the head to 70–80% of the frame and export a JPEG ready for the eCitizen upload.