Ivory Coast Passport Photo

Cote d'Ivoire Passport Photo -- SNEDAI and ONI Specifications

Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) manages its biometric passport program through a partnership between the Office National d'Identification (ONI -- National Identification Office) and SNEDAI, the private concessionaire that operates the biometric enrollment infrastructure across the country. Since the rollout of the CEDEAO biometric passport in 2017, Ivorian passport applicants undergo a two-stage process: photo submission at an SNEDAI enrollment center followed by biometric capture (fingerprints and iris scan) at the same facility. The photo specifications are tightly controlled because the submitted image is digitized and embedded directly into the passport chip -- making accurate lighting, background, and framing non-negotiable from the outset.

Official enrollment information is available through SNEDAI at snedai.ci. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres) handles consular passport applications for Ivorians abroad. The ONI (Office National d'Identification) oversees the broader national identity program including the Carte Nationale d'Identite (CNI).

Technical Photo Specifications

Dimensions and resolution:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height from chin to crown: 28-34 mm
• Face centered with approximately 3 mm of space above the head
• Printed on smooth photo paper -- no textured or canvas finishes

Background:

• Pure white, completely uniform
• No shadow cast by the subject on the background surface
• No gradient or tonal variation from edge to edge
• Clear contrast between the background and the subject's hair and skin

Expression and pose:

• Neutral expression, lips together, mouth closed
• Both eyes open and clearly visible, directed at the camera lens
• Head upright and facing forward -- no tilt, rotation, or profile angle
• Full face visible including both ears

Print quality:

• Colour photograph -- no black-and-white or sepia
• Sharp focus across the entire face area
• No creases, stains, or handling damage
• Clean edges at the 35x45mm dimensions
• No digital filters, beauty enhancement, or AI modification applied to the photo

Ivorian-Specific Photo Rules

Glasses policy: SNEDAI enrollment centers discourage glasses in passport photos. If worn, frames must be thin and must not cover any part of the iris. Lenses must be non-reflective and completely transparent. Tinted lenses, transition lenses, and sunglasses are prohibited. During biometric enrollment, you will be asked to remove glasses for the iris scan regardless of what your photo shows.

Head coverings: Permitted exclusively for religious practice. In Cote d'Ivoire, this primarily applies to Muslim women wearing hijab. The covering must not obscure the forehead, must not shadow the face, and the full facial oval from the chin to the hairline (or the visible forehead) must be clear. Decorative head wraps (foulards decoratifs) that are cultural rather than religious are not accepted -- this distinction is strictly enforced at SNEDAI centers.

Ear visibility: Both ears should be visible in the photograph. For women with elaborate hairstyles, this means pulling hair behind the ears or securing it in a way that leaves the ear outline exposed. This requirement is enforced because the biometric system uses ear geometry as a secondary identification marker.

Clothing: Civilian attire only. Military, gendarmerie, and police uniforms are not permitted. The clothing should contrast with the white background -- avoid white or very light-coloured tops.

Photo recency: Taken within six months of the enrollment date. Photos should reflect your current appearance -- significant changes in weight, hairstyle, or facial hair since the photo was taken may trigger a retake at the SNEDAI center.

Digital alteration prohibition: SNEDAI's biometric system compares the submitted photo against the live biometric capture taken during enrollment. Any digital retouching -- skin smoothing, facial reshaping, filter effects -- creates discrepancies between the photo and the live scan that delay or block processing. Studios near SNEDAI centers understand this requirement and adjust lighting and exposure without modifying facial features.

Number of photos: Typically four to six identical prints per application, depending on the SNEDAI enrollment center. Bring six to avoid being sent away for additional copies.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Cote d'Ivoire

Studios in Abidjan (Studio photo / Photographe d'identite): Abidjan's Plateau district and the area surrounding the SNEDAI enrollment center in Cocody concentrate the highest number of professional ID-photo studios. Studios along Avenue Franchet d'Esperey and Boulevard de la Republique charge 1,500-3,000 XOF (West African CFA francs) for a set of four to six prints. These studios work with SNEDAI applicants daily and know the precise framing requirements.

SNEDAI center on-site photo services: Some SNEDAI enrollment centers offer photo services on the premises or have contracted photographers stationed just outside the facility entrance. This guarantees specification compliance since the photographer sees rejected photos daily. Pricing at on-site vendors typically runs 2,000-4,000 XOF.

Studios in Yamoussoukro, Bouake, and regional cities: Regional capitals have ID-photo studios near administrative buildings and marketplaces. Expect to pay 1,000-2,500 XOF per set. Quality is generally good in larger cities, but in smaller towns, verify that the background is truly white and not the off-white commonly produced by aging studio backdrops.

Market photographers (Photographe de marche): Near major markets in Abidjan (Adjame, Treichville) and in regional towns, independent photographers with portable equipment offer passport photos for 500-1,500 XOF. The trade-off is consistency -- backgrounds may be imperfect, and prints may not meet the precise head-height ratio. If using a market photographer, inspect the output carefully before accepting.

Diaspora applicants: Ivorians applying at embassies in Paris, Brussels, Dakar, or other cities can use any local studio that produces 35x45mm photos with a white background. French studios producing EU biometric photos are compatible with Ivorian requirements. Embassies in Paris and Brussels handle the highest volume of diaspora passport applications.

DIY at home: If no studio is accessible, hang a clean white sheet on a wall, position yourself in front of it with even natural light from a window, and have someone photograph you with a smartphone rear camera from about 1.5 metres distance. Use an online passport photo tool to crop to 35x45mm and verify head sizing. Print on photo paper -- inkjet prints on regular paper are not accepted at SNEDAI centers.

Baby and Child Passport Photos

All Ivorian citizens, including newborns, need individual biometric passports with SNEDAI enrollment:

Infants under 12 months: The infant must be photographed alone against a white background. Lay the baby on a white cloth and shoot from above, or hold the baby upright with the parent completely hidden behind the child. Eyes do not need to be fully open for very young infants. No pacifiers, hats, or headbands. The white cloth must be smooth and unwrinkled.

Children aged 1 to 5: Both eyes open, neutral expression, facing the camera directly. A white background is required. Studios near SNEDAI centers have infant seats and small white-background setups for young children. Budget extra time -- children under 3 often require multiple attempts to get a usable shot.

Children aged 6 and above: Full adult standards apply. The same framing, background, and expression rules are enforced without modification. Six identical photos are recommended.

Passport validity for minors: Ivorian children's passports are valid for 5 years (adults receive passports valid for 5 or 10 years depending on the type). Photos must be current at the time of each enrollment. Children's appearances change rapidly, so submit recent photos even if you have unused prints from a previous session.

Common Rejection Reasons

SNEDAI enrollment centers and photo studios in Abidjan report these as the leading causes of rejection:

1. Background not uniformly white -- Aging studio backdrops that have yellowed, or home walls with visible texture and paint imperfections, produce off-white backgrounds that fail the scanner
2. Eyes partially hidden by hair or glasses frames -- The biometric system requires unobstructed iris visibility for chip encoding
3. Head covering casting shadow on face -- Poorly lit hijab photos create shadow bands across the forehead or cheeks
4. Head too small or poorly centered -- Standing too far from the camera produces an undersized head that does not meet the 28mm minimum chin-to-crown measurement
5. Smiling or open mouth -- Any deviation from a closed-mouth neutral expression is rejected by the biometric verification
6. Decorative head wrap worn as if religious -- Non-religious foulards are flagged and the applicant is asked to remove them and retake the photo

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where do I go to apply for an Ivorian passport? A: Applications are processed at SNEDAI enrollment centers. The main Abidjan center is in Cocody. Regional centers operate in Yamoussoukro, Bouake, Daloa, San Pedro, Korhogo, and other cities. Check snedai.ci for the nearest location and hours.

Q: Can I wear a hijab in my Ivorian passport photo? A: Yes, religious head coverings including hijab are permitted. The covering must leave the full face visible, must not cover the forehead, and must not cast shadows. Decorative or fashion-oriented head wraps are not accepted.

Q: How much does a Cote d'Ivoire passport cost? A: Passport fees are set by the government and paid at the SNEDAI center. Photo costs are separate -- expect to pay 1,500-4,000 XOF for compliant prints at a professional studio.

Q: How many photos are needed for the Ivorian passport application? A: Typically four to six identical prints, depending on the SNEDAI center. Bring six to be safe -- the number can vary between locations and some copies are retained for administrative records.

Q: Can I take my passport photo myself at home? A: Yes, as long as it meets all specifications. Use a white background, natural front-facing light, and our online tool to crop to 35x45mm. Print on photo paper before bringing to the SNEDAI center.

Q: What is the difference between the ONI and SNEDAI? A: The ONI (Office National d'Identification) is the government authority overseeing national identity. SNEDAI is the private operator contracted to run the biometric enrollment and passport production infrastructure. Your application goes through SNEDAI, but the passport is issued under ONI authority.