Tunisia Passport Photo

Tunisian Passport Photo -- SICAD Biometric Standards and Post-Revolution Hijab Rules

Tunisia's passport system is managed by the Systeme d'Identite et de Controle Automatique des Documents (SICAD) under the Ministry of Interior (Wizarat ad-Dakhiliyya -- وزارة الداخلية). SICAD handles all biometric identity document production, including the passeport biometrique that Tunisia introduced in 2012. One of the most notable aspects of Tunisia's passport photo regime is its evolving policy on hijab -- prior to the 2011 revolution, hijab was banned in official identity photos as part of the secularist state policy. Post-revolution, Tunisia lifted this ban, making it the only North African country to shift in this direction during that period.

Tunisia processes passport applications at municipal delegation offices (mu'tamadiyya) and police stations (centres de la police) across all 24 governorates. Tunisians abroad apply through the extensive consular network -- with large populations in France, Italy, Germany, and the Gulf states, consular processing represents a significant share of total issuance. The official SICAD portal is at sicad.gov.tn.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height from chin to crown: 30-36 mm
• Face centered horizontally with approximately 3 mm margin on each side
• Printed on matte or semi-matte photographic paper

Digital file requirements (for e-application):

• JPEG format, minimum 300 x 400 pixels
• Maximum file size: 500 KB
• Color image, no filters or color adjustments applied

Background:

• White (fond blanc), uniform and completely shadow-free
• No gradients, patterns, or texture visible
• Must extend cleanly to all four edges of the photo

Expression and positioning:

• Expression neutre -- neutral face, mouth closed, no teeth showing
• Both eyes open, pupils visible, looking directly at the lens
• Face perfectly frontal with no head tilt or rotation
• Ears visible on both sides where hair permits

Tunisia-Specific Photo Regulations

Hijab policy (post-2011): Since the 2011 revolution, Tunisia permits hijab in passport photos. The full face from the chin to the hairline must remain visible, and the covering must not cast shadows on any part of the face. No written declaration or religious justification is required -- the right to photograph in hijab is treated as a personal choice. This represents a significant change from the pre-revolution era when hijab was banned in all official identity documents.

Glasses: SICAD discourages glasses in passport photos. If worn, lenses must be completely clear with zero tint, and absolutely no glare or reflection can be present. Frames must not cover any part of the eyes. The biometric scanning system is particularly sensitive to lens reflections -- removing glasses entirely is the recommended approach.

Ear visibility: Both ears should be visible for applicants not wearing religious head coverings. Hair should be arranged to leave the ears unobstructed.

Traditional clothing: The traditional jebba, safsari, or other Tunisian garments are fully permitted. There is no restriction on clothing style or ornamentation, provided the neckline is visible (for biometric boundary detection) and light-colored garments do not blend with the white background.

Photo recency: Must be taken within 6 months and reflect the applicant's current, daily appearance.

Tunisian Biometric Passport and the Carte d'Identite Nationale

Tunisia issues two primary identity documents that share the same 35 x 45 mm photo standard:

• Passeport biometrique: Valid for 5 years. Contains an RFID chip with the holder's facial data and fingerprints. Required for all international travel.
• Carte d'Identite Nationale (CIN): The mandatory national ID card for all Tunisian citizens aged 18 and above. Valid for 10 years. The CIN number is essential for nearly all administrative procedures in Tunisia.

Most Tunisians apply for both documents at the same police station visit. Since the photo specifications are identical, a single set of studio photos serves both applications. The biometric data for the passport chip is captured on-site during the police station appointment.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Tunisia

Studios in Tunis: Photo studios (studios photo or photographes) are found throughout central Tunis, with concentrations in the Ville Nouvelle area along Avenue Habib Bourguiba and Avenue de la Liberte, near the central police station, and in the La Marsa, Ariana, and Ben Arous suburbs. A standard set of 4-6 passport photos costs 5-15 TND. Ask for "photo d'identite biometrique" or "tswira lil-jawaz" to get the correct biometric format.

Studios in Sfax, Sousse, and regional cities: Sfax, Sousse, Kairouan, Bizerte, Gabes, and other governorate capitals all have professional studios near their respective municipal offices. Prices are comparable to Tunis -- typically 4-12 TND per set. Studios near police stations and delegation offices stay current on SICAD specification changes.

Photomaton booths: Automated photo booths (cabines Photomaton) are available in shopping centers, post offices, and government building lobbies in larger Tunisian cities. These cost 3-7 TND per strip. The booths display positioning guides in French and Arabic. Select the "photo d'identite" (ID photo) option, not the entertainment or sticker photo modes.

Printing from digital files: Digital printing shops (centres d'impression) and cybercafes throughout Tunisia can print passport photos from a USB drive or phone transfer for 2-5 TND per sheet. Specify the 35 x 45 mm biometric format and white background.

Diaspora services:

• France: Photomaton booths and studio chains like Photo Identite are widely available. The 35 x 45 mm format is the French standard, making compliance straightforward. Cost: 5-15 EUR.
• Italy: Photo studios and tabacchi shops offer identity photo services at 5-10 EUR per set.
• Germany: Biometric photo studios (biometrische Passfotos) at DM, Rossmann, or independent photographers charge 8-15 EUR.
• Gulf states: Studios in Dubai, Doha, and Jeddah serving North African communities can produce compliant photos for 10-25 AED/QAR/SAR.

Baby and Child Photos

Tunisian minors' passports are valid for 5 years. SICAD child photo rules:

• The child must be the only person in the photo -- no parent, hand, or other body part visible
• For infants, position the baby face-up on a white cloth and photograph from directly above
• Eyes open is the standard, but SICAD shows tolerance for newborns under 3 months whose eyes are clearly closed (not squinting)
• No pacifiers, bottles, headbands, bonnets, or jewelry visible
• Girls wearing hijab follow the same rules as adult women
• Children aged 5 and above must meet the full adult specification
• The face must fill the correct proportion of the frame -- undersized faces from shooting at too great a distance are a common rejection

Common Rejection Reasons

SICAD and police station clerks reject passport photos most frequently for:

1. Glasses glare -- reflections on lenses are the leading rejection cause, even for applicants who technically meet the "clear lenses, no tint" rule
2. Background not uniformly white -- off-white walls, faint shadows from ceiling lights, and colored tints from warm lighting are common
3. Head covering shadow -- hijab or other coverings casting shadows on the forehead or cheeks
4. Expression not neutral -- smiling is the most frequent expression issue, followed by squinting from bright studio lights
5. Head size outside range -- the 30-36 mm chin-to-crown window is relatively narrow, and incorrect shooting distance pushes measurements outside tolerance
6. Photo printed on non-photographic paper -- inkjet prints on ordinary office paper lack the resolution and color fidelity SICAD requires

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Has Tunisia's hijab policy for passport photos changed since the revolution? A: Yes. Before the 2011 revolution, hijab was banned in all official Tunisian identity photos. Since 2011, hijab is fully permitted. The full face must remain visible and unshaded, but no religious justification or declaration is required.

Q: Can I apply for a Tunisian passport online? A: Tunisia has been gradually digitizing its passport application process. Some preliminary steps can be initiated online, including photo upload. However, in-person biometric capture at a police station or delegation office remains mandatory for completing the application.

Q: How many photos do I need for a Tunisian passport application? A: The standard requirement is 4 identical photos. Bring 6 if you are also applying for a national ID card (carte d'identite nationale -- CIN) at the same time.

Q: Is the Tunisian passport photo the same as the French identity photo format? A: Both use 35 x 45 mm with a white background. A compliant Tunisian passport photo will also work for French visa applications, and vice versa.

Q: What is the current cost of a Tunisian passport? A: As of 2025, the standard biometric passport costs 75 TND for regular processing. Express processing is available at a higher fee. Consular fees for applications filed abroad vary by country.

Q: My elderly parent cannot travel to a police station for biometric capture. Are there accommodations? A: In exceptional medical cases, SICAD may arrange home visits for biometric capture. Contact your local police station or delegation office in advance with medical documentation. The passport photo itself must still meet all standard specifications regardless of where the biometric appointment takes place.