Namibia uses 37 × 52 mm — a tall portrait rectangle, not the 2 × 2 inch square that most photo apps default to, and slightly larger than the European 35 × 45 mm format. The head fills about 70% of the frame height on a plain white background. Namibia is also unusually strict about what is on your face and head: no glasses, no head gear, no earrings, no uniform.
Make a Namibian Passport Photo →Per the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security. Namibia publishes limited public detail, so a few figures below come from embassy and consular guidance.
| Photo size | 37 × 52 mm (3.7 × 5.2 cm) portrait, borderless — 1.46 × 2.05 inches |
|---|---|
| Head height | About 70% of the frame height, chin to top of hair — roughly 32 – 40 mm. Leave a small even margin above the head |
| Background | Plain white (#FFFFFF), evenly lit, no shadows, patterns or objects behind the head |
| Resolution | 300 DPI minimum — a 37 × 52 mm photo at 300 DPI is 437 × 614 px |
| Number of prints | Usually two identical colour prints; some missions ask for one, so check with the office you apply at |
| Colour | Colour, natural skin tones, sharp focus, good contrast |
| Pose | Full frontal view, head square to the camera, shoulders visible, looking into the lens |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, no teeth showing, both eyes open |
| Glasses | Not allowed — remove all eyewear before the photo |
| Head gear | Not allowed — no hats or caps. Religious exceptions only, with the face visible from chin to forehead |
| Jewellery and piercings | No earrings and no visible facial piercings |
| Clothing | Plain everyday clothing. No uniform, no sleeveless tops. A dark top contrasts better against white |
| Retouching | Not allowed — no spot removal or skin smoothing |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Most rejections for Namibia come from the crop, not the face.
37 × 52 mm is a tall rectangle with the same proportions as a European passport photo. A 2 × 2 inch square crop — the default in many apps — is the wrong format before you even check the head size.
A photo framed for the EU is nearly right: 2 mm wider and 7 mm taller. Photo labs that "round" to the EU size produce a print that is visibly short.
Namibia is introducing live biometric capture at Home Affairs offices, starting with a pilot in the Erongo region. Where it applies, your own print may not be needed — but the same rules on glasses, head gear and clothing still apply on the day.