Everything you need to know about Tanzania visa photo requirements, including exact dimensions, background color, pose rules, e-Visa digital specs, and how to take a compliant photo at home.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Tanzania (United Republic of) |
| Document Type | Visa (Tourist, Business, Work, Residence) |
| Photo Size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Head Size | 25–35 mm from chin to top of head (70–80% of photo) |
| Background Color | Plain white |
| Printable | Yes — on matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
| Digital for e-Visa | Yes — JPEG format, max 500 KB |
| Digital Photo Size | 600 × 600 pixels minimum (recommended: 1200 × 1200 pixels) |
| Photo Paper Type | Matte or glossy |
| Color | Color only (black and white not accepted) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Quantity | 2 identical photos (embassy) / digital upload (e-Visa) |
The Tanzania Immigration Department and Tanzanian embassies have specific requirements for visa photos. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted.
Glasses are NOT allowed in Tanzania visa photos. This includes prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. Your eyes must be clearly visible without any obstruction or glare.
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Tanzania visa photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.) is more than capable of taking a visa-quality photo. Make sure the lens is clean and the camera is set to the highest resolution.
Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo for you. Selfies tend to have the wrong angle and distortion.
Stand facing a window with natural daylight for the best even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows. If using indoor lighting, use multiple light sources from different angles to eliminate shadows.
Wear your normal everyday clothing. Avoid uniforms and white tops that blend with the background. If you wear religious head coverings daily, you may keep them on as long as your full face is visible.
Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes or cast shadows on your face.
Stand about 4 feet (1.2 meters) in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level — not tilted. Ensure your entire face from chin to forehead is visible.
Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. No smiling, squinting, or exaggerated expressions.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable visa photos
A Tanzania visa photo must be exactly 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). Your head must measure between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head.
No. Glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses are not allowed in Tanzania visa photos. Your eyes must be clearly visible without any obstruction or glare.
No. You must maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open. No smiling, squinting, or exaggerated expressions.
Yes! You can take your visa photo with any smartphone. Simply upload it to PassportPhoto.help and our AI will automatically crop, resize, remove the background, and ensure it meets all official Tanzania visa photo requirements.
The background must be plain white. No patterns, objects, shadows, or other people should be visible. If you don't have a white wall, don't worry — our tool will automatically replace your background with white.
For embassy or consulate applications, you typically need 2 identical printed photos. For the Tanzania e-Visa online application, you only need to upload one digital photo in JPEG format.
For the Tanzania e-Visa, your digital photo must be in JPEG format, at least 600×600 pixels, and not exceed 500 KB. The photo must be in color with a plain white background and taken within the last 6 months.
No, hats and head coverings are not allowed unless worn for religious purposes. Even then, your full face must be visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, and the head covering must not cast shadows on your face.
If your visa photo doesn't meet the requirements, your visa application will be delayed. Using PassportPhoto.help ensures your photo meets all official requirements before you submit your application, saving you time and hassle.
Last updated: May 4, 2026