Egypt Passport Photo

Egypt Passport Photo -- Complete Guide

Egypt uses a 40x60mm passport photo -- significantly taller than the 35x45mm standard used across most of Europe and the Middle East. This non-standard size is one of the most common reasons Egyptian passport applications get delayed, especially for Egyptians living abroad who use photo services calibrated for European or American dimensions. If you submit a standard 35x45mm photo to the Maslahet El-Gawazat (Passport Authority) or the Mogamma in Tahrir Square, it will be rejected on the spot.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes requirements on mofa.gov.eg, and these apply to all passport books, travel documents, and most consular applications. Egypt transitioned to machine-readable passports in 2008 and has been progressively tightening enforcement of ICAO biometric standards. As of 2025, digital screening at the Mogamma and major Gawazat offices flags photos with altered backgrounds, whitened skin, or manipulated facial features.

Official Photo Requirements

Physical dimensions:

• 40 x 60 mm (472 x 709 pixels at 300 DPI) -- this is Egypt's unique size
• Head height: approximately 30-40 mm from chin to crown
• Face centered in the frame with visible space above the head and below the chin

Why 40x60mm matters: Most photo booths and international photo services default to 35x45mm. If you are in Europe, North America, or the Gulf states, you will need to specifically request the Egyptian 40x60mm format. Standard European passport photos will not be accepted.

Background and lighting:

• Plain white background -- no off-white, cream, or blue
• No shadows on the background or face
• Even, front-facing lighting
• Natural skin tones with accurate colour representation

Expression and pose:

• Neutral expression, both eyes open, mouth closed
• Face directly facing the camera
• Full face visible from hairline to chin
• No head tilt or rotation

Clothing and accessories:

• Glasses are not permitted -- remove prescription and sunglasses
• Hijab is permitted for women, but the full face must be visible from the hairline (or where the hairline would be) to the chin. The hijab must not cast shadows on the face
• No niqab or face covering of any kind
• No hats, caps, or decorative headwear
• Military or police uniforms are not permitted in civilian passport photos

Print specifications:

• Printed on glossy photo paper
• Sharp, high-resolution print with no visible dots or pixelation
• No creases, tears, or ink smudges

Recency: Must be taken within the last 6 months. If your appearance has changed (weight, facial hair, hairstyle), you need a new photo regardless of age.

The Mogamma and Gawazat Process

Most Egyptian passport applications go through one of two systems:

The Mogamma (Tahrir Square, Cairo): Egypt's central government building handles a massive volume of passport applications. Photo requirements are strictly enforced. There is a photo studio on the ground floor that produces compliant 40x60mm photos for EGP 30-50. The building is crowded -- arriving early (before 8:30 AM) reduces wait times significantly.

Maslahet El-Gawazat (Passport Authority offices): Regional passport offices across Egypt -- in Alexandria, Giza, Aswan, Luxor, and other governorates. Each office has nearby photo studios familiar with the 40x60mm requirement. Some Gawazat offices now have internal photo capture stations similar to the Mogamma.

Consulates abroad: Egyptian consulates listed on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website in the US, UK, Europe, and Gulf states accept passport applications with printed 40x60mm photos. Finding a local photo service that produces this non-standard size can be difficult -- preparing and printing the image yourself is often the most reliable approach.

How to Take Your Egyptian Passport Photo at Home

Camera setup: Use a smartphone with at least 5 megapixels (any phone from the last 5 years). Place it on a tripod or stable surface at face height. Stand 1.5 metres from the camera. Use the rear camera and ask someone to take the photo or use the timer.

Background: Stand in front of a clean white wall. In Egyptian homes, walls are often painted in light colours that look white but photograph as cream -- test by taking a photo and checking the wall colour on screen. If it appears anything other than pure white, tape a large piece of white cardboard or a white sheet behind you. Stand 20 cm away from the wall.

Lighting: Use natural daylight from a window. If shooting indoors without strong window light, position two lamps at 45-degree angles. Avoid the single overhead ceiling light common in Egyptian apartments -- it creates harsh shadows under the eyes and nose that cause automatic rejection.

Framing for 40x60mm: The 40x60mm format is taller than it is wide (2:3 ratio). Frame your shot in portrait orientation with your head in the upper portion of the frame. Leave about 5 mm of space above your head and ensure the photo extends to mid-chest. Crop precisely to 40x60mm after shooting.

Hijab positioning: If wearing hijab, pin it back slightly to ensure the full oval of your face is visible. No fabric should overlap onto the forehead, cheeks, or chin. The hijab colour should contrast with the white background -- avoid white headscarves if possible, as they blend into the background.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Egypt

• Mogamma ground floor studio -- EGP 30-50 for a set of photos. The most convenient option if you are already at the Mogamma for your application. They know the exact specifications.
• Photo studios near Gawazat offices -- EGP 20-40. Found on nearly every street adjacent to a passport office. Specify "sowar gawaz safar, arba'een fi sitteen" (passport photos, 40 by 60) to ensure the correct size.
• Kodak Express / Fujifilm outlets -- EGP 40-60. Found in malls and commercial areas across Cairo, Alexandria, and Giza. Consistent quality and correct sizing.
• Vodafone and Orange stores -- Some locations in Cairo and Alexandria offer basic photo services, though quality can be inconsistent. EGP 25-40.
• Street photographers near government buildings -- EGP 10-20. The cheapest option, but print quality varies widely. Inspect the photo carefully before accepting.

Budget tip: Prepare your photo digitally using an online passport photo tool set to 40x60mm, then print it as a 4x6 inch photo at any Kodak Express or print shop. A single 4x6 print (EGP 5-10) can hold two 40x60mm passport photos that you cut to size.

Egyptian National ID (Bitaqah) Photos

The Egyptian national ID card (Bitaqah Shakhsiyyah) also uses 40x60mm photos with the same specifications as the passport. When applying at the Segel Madani (Civil Registry), you typically need 4 identical photos. The Civil Registry is stricter about background whiteness than some Gawazat offices.

Common Rejection Reasons

1. Wrong dimensions -- Submitting 35x45mm instead of 40x60mm is the number one cause of rejection for applications from abroad. The photo must be exactly 40x60mm.
2. Shadows on background -- The white background must be completely shadow-free. Photos taken against textured walls or with side lighting fail.
3. Hijab covering part of the face -- The full face from hairline to chin must be visible. Fabric overlapping the forehead or cheeks triggers rejection.
4. Glasses worn -- All eyewear must be removed.
5. Low print quality -- Inkjet prints on plain paper, pixelated images, or photos printed at incorrect DPI are rejected.
6. Photo older than 6 months -- Enforced especially at the Mogamma.

Baby and Child Passport Photos (Suwar Gawaz al-Atfal)

Egyptian passport offices apply the same 40x60mm format to children of all ages. The Mogamma and Gawazat offices process infant applications regularly, but the non-standard dimensions make preparing baby photos abroad particularly challenging.

Infants under 12 months (rudi'a): Lay the baby face-up on a plain white sheet and photograph from directly above. The baby must be the only subject visible -- no parent hands, arms, or clothing in the frame. Eyes do not need to be open for newborns under 6 months. No pacifiers (luhaya), toys, or bibs. The 40x60mm tall format requires careful framing -- the baby's face must be centered in the upper portion of the frame with space below, which differs from the nearly square crop used in other countries. Take 20-30 rapid shots and select the calmest frame.

Children aged 1 to 5: Both eyes open, neutral expression, mouth closed. Seat the child in a chair draped with white cloth or on a parent's lap with the parent completely hidden behind the child. At the Mogamma, the photo studio on the ground floor has experience positioning young children and will assist.

Children aged 6 and above: Full adult specifications apply.

For Egyptians abroad: The 40x60mm format is nearly impossible to find at standard photo services outside Egypt and the Gulf states. For baby photos, the DIY white-sheet method is the only practical option. Photograph the baby on the white sheet, crop to exactly 40x60mm with the correct head proportions, and print at a custom photo lab. Studios in Gulf countries (UAE, Saudi, Kuwait) may have the 40x60mm template since several Arab states share this format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Egypt use 40x60mm instead of the standard 35x45mm? A: Egypt established its passport photo dimensions before ICAO standardization and has maintained the 40x60mm format through successive passport generations. While the passport itself is ICAO-compliant, the photo specification remains uniquely Egyptian.

Q: Can I use a 35x45mm photo if I add white borders? A: No. Adding borders to a smaller photo reduces the face size below acceptable limits. The photo must be natively shot and cropped to 40x60mm with the correct head-to-frame ratio.

Q: Is the photo requirement the same for the Mogamma and consulates abroad? A: Yes. All Egyptian passport applications worldwide require 40x60mm photos on glossy paper with a white background, regardless of where you apply.

Q: Can I wear a niqab in my passport photo? A: No. Egyptian passport regulations require the full face to be visible. Hijab is permitted but niqab is not. This applies to all applicants.

Q: How many photos do I need for a passport application? A: The standard requirement is 4 identical 40x60mm photos for a new passport application. Renewals typically require 2 photos, but bring 4 to be safe.

Q: Can I get 40x60mm photos printed outside Egypt? A: Most international photo services do not offer 40x60mm as a standard option. Your best approach is to use a digital photo tool to create the correct dimensions, then print at a local photo lab with custom sizing. Specify the exact millimetre dimensions when ordering.