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The Challenge
Ghana requires 35×45mm passport and visa photos with precise head positioning (34.5mm from chin to crown, 3mm top margin), white background, and 600 DPI resolution. Professional services charge GH₵50-150. Wrong dimensions or head size = rejection and resubmission delays of 4-8 weeks.
Ghana passport and visa photo requirements
Ghana follows ICAO Document 9303 biometric standards with specific national requirements: 35×45mm dimensions, plain white background, head height 31.5-36mm (ideal 34.5mm) from chin to crown, and exactly 3mm clearance from top of hair to photo edge. Photos must be taken within 6 months and printed in colour. Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires 4 identical photos for passport applications and 2 for visa applications. Both passport and visa photos use the same 35×45mm specifications—one photo set works for both document types.
Ghana passport photo requirements checklist
- 35×45mm dimensions (standard across passport, visa, and dual citizenship applications)
- Plain white background—no patterns, shadows, or off-white tones
- Head height 31.5-36mm from chin to crown (ideal 34.5mm)
- Exactly 3mm clearance from top of hair to top of photo
- Taken within last 6 months reflecting current appearance
- Face centred, neutral expression, mouth closed
- Eyes open and fully visible, no hair covering eyes or eyebrows
- No glasses (remove unless medical exemption with signed doctor's statement)
- No hats or head coverings (religious headwear permitted with signed statement)
- 827×1063 pixels at 600 DPI minimum
- Colour photo only—black and white rejected
- No retouching, filters, or digital alterations
- Everyday clothing—no uniforms, costumes, or official attire
- Do not wear white clothing (low contrast against white background)
Common rejection reasons
- Head height outside 31.5-36mm range (too large or too small)
- Top margin not exactly 3mm—head too close to or too far from photo edge
- Shadows on face or white background
- Wearing glasses without medical documentation
- White clothing creating low contrast against white background
- Photo older than 6 months
- Low resolution causing pixelation at print size
- Black and white photo instead of colour
- Retouched or filtered photo—digital alterations detected
- Wrong dimensions—using 50×50mm or other non-standard sizes
Important: Competitor sites list wrong dimensions
- Some online photo tools incorrectly list Ghana passport size as 50×50mm
- Official Ghana government sources confirm 35×45mm (3.5×4.5cm)
- Verified across Ghana Embassy Oslo, Hamburg, Doha, Ottawa, and London
- Using wrong dimensions will result in automatic rejection
How to print Ghana passport photos at home
- Paper: Use photo-quality paper—both matte and glossy accepted by Ghana authorities.
- Printer settings: Select highest quality, 100% scale (no 'fit to page'), colour mode.
- Paper size: Choose 4R (102×152mm) for 4-6 photos, or A4 for larger sheets.
- Cutting: Use sharp scissors or paper trimmer. Cut precisely along grey guide lines.
- Size verification: Final photos must measure exactly 35×45mm. Use ruler to confirm.
- Head measurement: Verify chin-to-crown height is approximately 34.5mm with ruler.
- Alternative: Print at local photo studio. Specify '35×45mm passport photo on photo paper'.
Taking passport photos of babies and children
- Lay baby on plain white sheet or blanket on floor—ensure no shadows.
- Alternatively, cover a car seat with plain white sheet and place child in seat.
- Only the child should be visible—no hands, toys, or other people in frame.
- Use natural window light or even overhead lighting—avoid direct flash.
- Photograph from directly above with face centred in frame.
- Infants: acceptable if eyes are not entirely open.
- All other children: eyes must be open, mouth closed, neutral expression.
- Photo dimensions and quality requirements are the same as for adults.
- Take 10-20 shots to get one compliant photo—normal for young children.
Good vs bad Ghana passport photo examples
Ghana passport application: in-country vs overseas
Ghana has two application pathways with different photo handling. In-country applications (at Passport Application Centres in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale, Ho, Sunyani) capture biometric photos on-site during your appointment—you still upload a photo during the online form submission at passport.mfa.gov.gh, but the official biometric is taken at the PAC. Overseas applications at Ghana embassies and consulates require 4 physical printed photos (35×45mm) submitted with your application. Some embassies (London, Toronto) have moved to online-only processes where physical photos are not required—check with your specific embassy. For all applications, the photo must be against a white background, in JPEG or PDF format for digital upload.
Ghana visa photo requirements
Ghana visa photos use identical 35×45mm specifications as passport photos. Whether applying for a tourist visa, business visa, transit visa, or work visa, the same photo format applies. For online visa applications through Ghana embassy portals, digital photos must be in JPG format with a maximum file size of 1MB, with uploaded image dimensions of 140×170 pixels for the form thumbnail. Physical applications require 2 identical printed photos. ECOWAS nationals are exempt from visa requirements for stays up to 90 days.
Ghana dual citizenship photo requirements
Dual citizenship applications under Ghana's Citizenship Act 2002 (Act 591) require 6 recent passport-sized photographs at 35×45mm with plain white background. This is more copies than standard passport applications (4 photos) or visa applications (2 photos). The same photo specifications apply—head height 34.5mm, white background, 600 DPI. Dual citizenship applications are processed through Ghana embassies and high commissions abroad.
Cost comparison: professional vs DIY
- Photo studio in Accra/Kumasi: GH₵50-100 for 4 photos
- Embassy photo service (overseas): £10-20 / $15-25 / €12-18
- UK photo service (Boots, Timpson): £8-15 for 4 photos
- This tool: Free—print at home for £0.30-0.60 / $0.25-0.50 per sheet
- Savings: GH₵40-90 per application at home, £8-20 / $10-25 overseas
- Family needing dual citizenship photos (6 each): significant savings with DIY approach
Official Ghana Government Resources
- Ghana Passport Online Application Portal Official Ministry of Foreign Affairs passport application system
- Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Passport Services Official passport information and downloadable application forms
- Ghana High Commission London - Passport Information Passport application requirements for applicants in the UK
- Ghana Embassy Oslo - Passport Application Checklist Complete passport application requirements with photo specifications
Step-by-Step Workflow
Upload Photo
Position Head Using Guidelines
Select Enhancement
Download or Print Sheet
Specifications
- Photo Size
- 35×45 mm
- Resolution
- 827×1063 pixels at 600 DPI
- Head Height
- 31.5-36 mm (ideal 34.5 mm)
- Top Margin
- 3 mm from top of hair to photo edge
- Background
- Plain white
- Recency
- Taken within last 6 months
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Paper Type
- Matte or glossy photo paper
- Valid For
- Passport, visa, dual citizenship
Best Practices
- Ghana passport and visa photos use the same 35×45mm format—one photo works for both
- Head height must be 31.5-36mm with exactly 3mm top margin—use crop guidelines for precision
- Do not wear white clothing—Ghana High Commission London explicitly advises against it
- Both matte and glossy paper accepted—unlike some countries that require matte only
- Passport applications need 4 photos, visa needs 2, dual citizenship needs 6—print extras
- Some competitor sites incorrectly list 50×50mm—official Ghana government sources confirm 35×45mm
- For in-country applications, biometric photo is taken at the Passport Application Centre
- Remove all glasses unless medical exemption with signed doctor's statement
- Religious headwear permitted but requires signed statement of religious significance
Frequently Asked Questions
What size are Ghana passport photos?
Ghana passport photos must be 35×45mm (3.5×4.5cm). This is confirmed by multiple official Ghana government embassy and high commission websites. Some online tools incorrectly list 50×50mm—this is wrong and will result in rejection.
Can I use the same photo for Ghana passport and visa?
Yes. Ghana passport and visa applications use identical 35×45mm photo specifications. One photo set works for both document types, as well as dual citizenship applications, as long as photos are less than 6 months old.
What is the correct head height for Ghana passport photos?
Head height from chin to crown should be 31.5-36mm, with an ideal target of 34.5mm. The top of the hair must be exactly 3mm from the top edge of the photo. Use the crop guidelines in this tool for precise positioning.
How many photos do I need for a Ghana passport application?
Passport applications require 4 identical photos. Visa applications require 2 photos. Dual citizenship applications require 6 photos. All use the same 35×45mm format with white background.
Can I wear glasses in Ghana passport photos?
No, unless medically required with a signed doctor's statement. If you have medical need: no tinted lenses, no glare or reflections, frames must not cover eyes.
What background colour for Ghana passport photos?
Plain white background required. No off-white, cream, grey, or patterned backgrounds. Ensure even lighting to avoid shadows on the white background.
Can I wear white clothing in Ghana passport photos?
It is strongly advised not to wear white clothing. The Ghana High Commission in London explicitly states 'do not wear white for your appointment' as white clothing creates low contrast against the required white background.
How recent must Ghana passport photos be?
Within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance. Photos older than 6 months will be rejected. If your appearance has changed significantly (weight loss/gain), you must take new photos even if within 6 months.
What paper type for Ghana passport photos?
Both matte and glossy photo paper are accepted by Ghana authorities. This is more flexible than some countries that require matte only. Print at highest quality setting for best results.
Do I need physical photos for Ghana passport applications?
It depends on where you apply. In-country applications at Passport Application Centres capture biometric photos on-site. Overseas embassy applications typically require 4 printed photos. Some embassies (London, Toronto) have moved to online-only processes where physical photos are not required—check with your specific embassy.
What are the digital photo requirements for Ghana visa applications?
For online visa applications through Ghana embassy portals, upload a JPG image at 140×170 pixels, maximum 1MB file size. The physical photo for printing remains 35×45mm at 600 DPI. This tool generates both print-ready and digital-ready formats.
Is Ghana passport photo 50×50mm or 35×45mm?
35×45mm is correct. Some third-party websites incorrectly list 50×50mm. Official Ghana MFA sources (embassy websites in Oslo, Hamburg, Doha, Ottawa, London) all confirm 35×45mm (3.5×4.5cm) dimensions.