Yemen Passport Photo

Yemeni Passport Photo -- Specifications Under Challenging Conditions

Yemen's passport services are administered by the Maslaha al-Hijra wal-Jawazat (Immigration and Passport Authority), a body under the Wizarat al-Dakhiliyya (Ministry of Interior). The ongoing conflict that began in 2014 has fundamentally disrupted passport issuance -- the country operates under divided governance, with the internationally recognized government controlling some offices and the Ansar Allah (Houthi) authorities controlling others, including the Sana'a headquarters. Despite this, both administrations continue issuing passports, and the photo requirements remain based on the same pre-conflict specifications. Yemen uses a distinctive 40x60mm photo format -- significantly larger than the standard ICAO 35x45mm -- a holdover from earlier regulations that has never been updated.

For applicants in government-controlled areas, passport services are available through regional offices in Aden, Marib, and other southern and eastern governorates. In Houthi-controlled territory, the main office in Sana'a continues to operate. Yemenis abroad apply through embassies and consulates, with the largest volumes processed in Riyadh, Jeddah, Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, and Dearborn (Michigan, USA). Official information can be found at immigration.gov.ye, though the site is intermittently available. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates consular passport services for Yemenis abroad.

Photo Size and Technical Specifications

Dimensions:

• 40 x 60 mm (472 x 709 pixels at 300 DPI) -- Yemen's non-standard larger format
• Head height from chin to crown: approximately 30-40 mm
• Face centred in the frame with adequate margin above the head and below the chin

Background:

• White -- plain and uniform
• No shadows, patterns, or visible objects
• Some older passport offices accepted light blue backgrounds, but current specifications require white

Print quality:

• Photo paper -- glossy or semi-matte
• Clear, high-resolution print with distinguishable facial features
• Colour prints only

Recency: Must be taken within the previous 6 months. Offices compare the photo to the applicant's appearance and may request a new photo if there are significant differences.

Expression, Pose, and Dress Requirements

• Neutral expression, mouth closed, no teeth visible
• Both eyes open, looking directly at the camera
• Frontal face with no tilt or rotation
• Prescription glasses are permitted if the lenses are completely clear and produce no glare. Frames must not obstruct the eyes. Sunglasses and photochromic lenses are not allowed. Removing glasses entirely is recommended to avoid glare-related problems.
• Women's head covering: Yemeni regulations reflect the country's conservative social norms. Women are expected to wear a headscarf (hijab) in passport photos. The hijab must frame the face without casting shadows and must not cover the forehead or chin. The full facial oval from hairline to jawline must remain visible.
• Men's head covering: The traditional Yemeni ma'waz (waistcloth) does not appear in passport photos, but the kufiyya or shemagh head covering is not permitted in passport photos. Men must have the top of the head visible.
• No military uniforms from any faction. Civilian dress is required.
• Traditional Yemeni dress (thawb for men, abaya for women) is fully acceptable as clothing.
• Avoid white or very light-coloured clothing for men, as it reduces contrast against the white background.
• Facial hair (beards and moustaches) must be shown as naturally worn -- applicants should not shave or dramatically trim for the photo if they normally maintain facial hair, as this affects biometric recognition.

The Divided System -- Practical Realities

The split governance means applicants must navigate different bureaucratic pathways depending on their location:

Aden and government-controlled areas: The recognized government's passport offices in Aden, Hadramawt, and Marib issue passports with processing times of 2-8 weeks depending on demand and supply availability. Passport booklet shortages have periodically halted issuance. Photo requirements are standard.

Sana'a and Houthi-controlled areas: The Sana'a passport office continues to function and issues passports that are accepted at most international borders (the passport design and booklet are the same pre-conflict format). Processing times vary widely. Photo requirements are identical.

Abroad: Yemeni embassies in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Malaysia, Turkey, and the United States handle the largest volumes. Photo requirements are the same, but processing times can be very long -- 3-12 months in some cases -- due to the need for coordination with passport production facilities.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Yemen

Sana'a: Photo studios (istidyu tasswir) are concentrated in the old city commercial districts and near the passport office on Zubairi Street. A set of photos costs 500-1,500 YER. Studios near government offices are experienced with the 40x60mm format and will handle background and framing correctly. Ask for "sura jawaz" (passport photo).

Aden: Studios in Crater district and along Ma'alla Main Road charge 500-1,200 YER. Aden studios tend to have more reliable electrical supply and therefore more consistent lighting than those in some other cities. Several studios near the passport office in Khormaksar serve high application volumes and are familiar with the current specifications.

For Yemenis in Egypt: Cairo's Ataba and Abdin districts have studios serving the large Yemeni community, charging 50-100 EGP. Specify "sura jawaz yamani, 40 fi 60" -- the Egyptian passport photo is smaller (35x45mm), so studios must be told the Yemeni dimensions explicitly.

Taiz, Ibb, and Hudaydah: Studios in these cities charge 400-1,000 YER. Quality depends heavily on the individual studio. Bring a white sheet as backup in case the studio's backdrop has yellowed.

For Yemenis in Saudi Arabia: Photo studios in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the southern border cities (Jazan, Najran) serving the Yemeni community are familiar with the 40x60mm format. Prices: 15-30 SAR. Studios on Batha Street (Riyadh) and in the Kilo 14 area (Jeddah) handle high volumes of Yemeni passport photos. Specify "sura jawaz yamani" to ensure the correct size -- Saudi passport photos are 40x60mm as well, but head positioning standards differ.

For Yemenis in the United States: Studios near Yemeni communities in Dearborn (Michigan), New York, and the San Francisco Bay Area offer 40x60mm prints for 15-25 USD. The 40x60mm size is non-standard in the US -- bring exact dimensions (472 x 709 pixels at 300 DPI) and confirm before the photo is taken. Do not accept standard American 2x2 inch photos.

Baby and Child Passport Photos

Yemen requires individual passports for all children. Photo guidelines:

• Infants under 1 year: Place the baby on a plain white cloth and photograph from above. The child must be the sole subject visible. Eyes may be closed for very young infants. No bottles or pacifiers.
• Children 1-5 years: Both eyes open, neutral expression, mouth closed. A parent may hold the child, but must be completely hidden behind a white drape. For girls, hijab is not expected for young children.
• Children 6 and above: Standard rules apply. Girls approaching puberty may be expected to wear hijab depending on family and regional custom, though this is not uniformly enforced in passport photos for minors.

Passport Validity, Fees, and Practical Concerns

Yemeni passports are valid for 6 years. Renewal requires a completely new application, including fresh photos -- the old photo cannot be reused. Passport fees have varied depending on the issuing authority and location. Domestic issuance costs approximately 5,000-10,000 YER at government-controlled offices. Consular fees abroad are typically higher and denominated in the host country's currency -- expect 50-100 USD equivalent at most embassies.

Due to the ongoing conflict, passport booklet supply has been inconsistent. Some offices have experienced weeks-long pauses when blank passport booklets were unavailable. Applicants should submit fully compliant applications on the first attempt to avoid delays from photo rejections compounding with supply-side interruptions.

Common Rejection Reasons

Passport offices and consulates report these frequent issues:

1. Wrong dimensions -- submitting 35x45mm (ICAO standard) or 51x51mm (US size) instead of Yemen's 40x60mm format
2. No hijab for adult women -- women are expected to wear head covering in Yemeni passport photos
3. Men wearing head covering -- kufiyya or other non-religious head coverings are not permitted for men
4. Shadows on face -- inconsistent electrical supply in some studios leads to harsh single-source lighting
5. Photo printed on regular paper -- especially common among DIY submissions. Photo-quality paper is required.
6. Glasses glare -- direct flash combined with prescription lenses produces white reflections over the eyes

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Yemeni passport photo size really 40x60mm? A: Yes. Yemen uses a non-standard 40x60mm format, significantly larger than the ICAO 35x45mm used by most countries. This has been the standard for decades and has not changed.

Q: Must women wear hijab in Yemeni passport photos? A: Yes, Yemeni regulations expect women to wear a headscarf. The hijab must allow the full face to be visible from forehead to chin without casting shadows.

Q: Can I get a Yemeni passport from both sides of the conflict? A: Both the internationally recognized government (Aden-based) and the Sana'a-based authorities issue Yemeni passports. Both versions are generally accepted at international borders.

Q: How long does a Yemeni passport take to process? A: Domestically, 2-8 weeks depending on location and passport booklet availability. From embassies abroad, 3-12 months is common due to coordination challenges.

Q: Does Saudi Arabia use the same photo size as Yemen? A: Saudi Arabia also uses a 40x60mm photo, but head positioning and background requirements differ slightly. Do not assume a Saudi-standard photo will pass Yemeni review -- specify "Yemeni passport" when visiting a studio.

Q: Can I apply for a Yemeni passport online? A: Limited online services exist through some embassies for initial form submission, but the full application -- including photo submission -- must be completed in person at a passport office or consulate.