An essential step when applying for several visas to travel to Egypt is providing an identifying photo. But incorrect photos are a top reason for Egypt visa rejections.
Don't let a simple mistake ruin your travel plans.
On this page, we explain which Egyptian visa types require a photograph. And you’ll also learn the correct photo requirements for an Egypt visa to ensure your application is seamless.
Do I Need a Picture for the Egypt eVisa?
Fortunately, you do not need a photograph to submit an eVisa application for Egypt online. This is just one reason why the electronic permit is one of the easiest and fastest visas for the country.
To apply for the Egypt visa online, you need to submit the eVisa application form alongside an image of the passport bio page in digital format.
Egyptian visas requiring a photograph
Several Egyptian visas require you to provide one or more copies of a recent photograph as part of the application. The most popular among international tourists are:
- The Egypt visa on arrival (2 photographs necessary)
- The extension of the eVisa while the holder is still in Egypt
The number of photographs for other visa types obtained from an embassy may vary. You should consult your nearest embassy or consulate of Egypt for information about these photo requirements.
Egypt Visa on Arrival Photo Requirements
The photo you need to submit for the Egypt visa on arrival should meet the following requirements:
- Must show your full face so you can be easily identified
- Must be recent, taken within the last 6 months
- You should take it against a white background
- May be in color or black and white
- We recommend you remove eye-glasses
- You cannot wear sunglasses, jewelry, or other items that could obscure your face
- You must remove hats and head coverings for the photo unless you wear them for religious purposes
- You must not wear any kind of uniform in the photo
Egypt photo requirements for children
If you need to take an Egypt visa photo of your child, there are some additional considerations you should take into account.
Some key points to consider for a successful child’s visa photo include:
- The child should be directly facing the camera. If your infant cannot sit upright, you can lay them down on their back on a white or off-white sheet.
- Use a white or off-white background, regardless of whether the child is lying down or sitting up
- Ensure the child's eyes are open. For very young babies, you might need to attract their attention towards the camera with a noise or a toy.
- The photo must only include the child. Adults should not hold or prop up the child in the photo.
- Do not include toys, pacifiers, or any decorations in the photo as they can distract from the child’s features.
You may also want to consider the assistance of a professional photographer who is familiar with photo visa requirements. This will help in ensuring a compliant and acceptable visa photo for your child.
Egypt Visa Photo Size Requirements
Photos submitted for the visa on arrival must fit a standard passport format. There are 2 distinct Egyptian tourist visa photo sizes that you can use.
These are:
- 1.57 inches x 2.36 inches (40 mm x 60 mm)
- 2 inches x 2 inches (51 mm x 51 mm)
The Egypt visa photo requirements for a 1.57” x 2.36” image include:
- The area between the top of the head to the bottom of the chin should not take up more than 1.49 inches
- The distance between the top of the head and the top of the photo should not exceed more than 0.23 inches
Alternatively, in the case of the square 2”x 2” photo:
- The area from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin must be no more than 1.29 inches of the photo’s area
- The distance between the bottom of the photo and the person’s eye line must not exceed 1.18 inches
In addition to the physical size of the photo, the resolution also follows strict criteria. The resolution must not fall below 300 dpi in the case of both the photo sizes listed above.
Checklist of Common Egypt Visa Photo Mistakes to Avoid
Before you submit your Egypt visa photo, you should double-check that it doesn’t make any of these common mistakes that could result in a visa denial:
- Wearing glasses or hats: Avoid glasses, hats, and other head coverings, unless worn for religious reasons. In such cases, ensure your face is fully visible.
- Incorrect photo size or format: The photo must meet the specifications outlined above
- Inappropriate facial expression: Maintain a neutral facial expression. Smiling, frowning, or making other facial gestures can affect the recognition of your features.
- Jewelry and accessories: Keep accessories and jewelry minimal. Particularly avoid large items that obscure your face.
- Light-colored clothing: Wear garments that contrast with the photo's background. Avoid patterns that could blend into the background.
Adhering to these guidelines will help ensure your Egypt visa photo is accepted, paving the way for a smoother application process.
