Cape Verde Passport Photo — Digital Requirements (gov.cv)
Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) takes passport applications through the gov.cv portal and the GOV.CV app, and the photo you upload has its own digital rules. This page reproduces them. Verified against the Government of Cabo Verde, October 2026.
The 15-second answer
The photo is a digital upload, not a paper print. It must be a JPG between 250 KB and 10 MB, 900–4500 px wide and 1200–6000 px high, shot in a 4:3 or 3:4 smartphone aspect ratio — and scanned photos are not accepted. The official page lists these as the required digital requirements.
Technical requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 900–4500 px wide, 1200–6000 px high |
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 or 3:4 (a smartphone portrait photo) |
| Format | jpg or jpeg |
| File size | 250 KB – 10 MB |
| Scans | Scanned photos are not acceptable on the gov.cv portal |
The official page does not publish a millimetre size, a head-height percentage or a DPI figure — the Cape Verde requirement is expressed only as the digital thresholds above. Treat the pixel range and file limits, not a print size, as the specification.
Lighting and background
- Use a light background that does not contain objects or other people.
- There must be strong contrast between the image and the background, with no background shadow or uneven lighting on the face.
Taking the photo
- Have someone else take the photo — no selfies, which can distort the face.
- Position the camera 1.5 m away from the face, at eye level.
- Keep the head centred, with clear space around the sides and above the head, and show part of the shoulders or the upper chest.
- The face must be turned to the camera, in full view.
- Hold a neutral expression with your mouth closed.
Glasses, head coverings and appearance
- Glasses: you may wear them, but not sunglasses, tinted or thick-framed ones; there must be no glare or reflection from the flash on the lenses, and a clear space between your eyes and the frames.
- Head coverings: no hats, hoodies, pads or headscarves, unless you need to wear one for religious or medical reasons — in that case an endorsement is required on your ID.
- Eyes clearly visible, face fully in view.
Babies
- Lay the baby on a clear and smooth surface.
- Take the photo from above, with the baby facing forward, eyes open and the face in sight.
- There must be no objects or people in the background.
Photo age
The official requirement states, verbatim: “Your photo must have the following digital requirements and be at least 6 months old.” The Cape Verde wording is reproduced here exactly as published — it reads differently from the more common “no older than 6 months” phrasing, so check the current gov.cv page before you rely on it.
Preparing the file
Resize a photo into the 900–4500 × 1200–6000 pixel window with the image resizer and trim the file into the 250 KB–10 MB range with the image compressor. Check the result with the passport photo checker; see also the digital file requirements guide and the at-home photo guide, and compare other African digital formats such as Nigeria and South Africa on the photo size chart.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Cape Verde passport photo?
Cape Verde uses a digital photo: 900-4500 pixels wide and 1200-6000 pixels high, in a 4:3 or 3:4 aspect ratio. It must be a JPG between 250 KB and 10 MB. The official page does not publish a millimetre size or head-height percentage.
Can I scan a printed photo for Cape Verde?
No. Scanned photos are not acceptable on the gov.cv portal - you must upload a digital photo taken with a camera or smartphone.
Can I use a selfie for my Cape Verde passport photo?
No. No selfies, as they can distort the face. Have someone else take the photo with the camera 1.5 m from your face and at eye level.
Does the Cape Verde photo allow glasses?
Yes, you may wear glasses, but not sunglasses, tinted or thick-framed ones. There must be no glare or reflection from the flash, and a clear space between your eyes and the frames.
Can I wear a headscarf or hat in a Cape Verde passport photo?
No hats, hoodies, pads or headscarves, unless you need to wear one for religious or medical reasons - in that case an endorsement is required on your ID.
How old can a Cape Verde passport photo be?
The official page states, verbatim, that the photo must be 'at least 6 months old'. This reads differently from the usual 'no older than 6 months' rule, so confirm on the current gov.cv page.
Honest limits: the official Cape Verde page gives the requirements only as a digital upload (pixels, KB, aspect ratio) — there is no published millimetre size, head-height percentage or DPI. Where the official source is silent, this page stays silent rather than guessing.
Photo size chart → Check my photo →
Source note: the digital thresholds (900–4500 × 1200–6000 px, 4:3 or 3:4, jpg, 250 KB–10 MB), the no-scans and no-selfies rules, the 1.5 m / eye-level camera position, the glasses and head-covering rules, the baby instructions and the ‘at least 6 months old’ wording are from the Government of Cabo Verde, gov.cv/en/requisitos-para-fotografias and gov.cv/en/pedido-passaporte-ordinario (checked October 2026).