DR Congo Passport Photo Requirements
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the few places that asks for a square 2 inch × 2 inch photo — the American format, not the 35 × 45 mm used across much of Africa and Europe. You need two photos taken within the last 6 months. Verified against the official pages of the DRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs (diplomatie.gouv.cd), September 2026.
The official specification
| Photo size | 2 in × 2 in = 50.8 × 50.8 mm |
| How many | Two identity photos |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Background colour | Not published officially |
| Head height | Not published officially |
| Pixels | Not published officially |
| How you submit it | As paper photos, in person — at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or an embassy or consulate abroad; biometric data is also recorded |
What the ministry says
The official DRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs site gives the same sentence on two different pages — the homepage FAQ and the biometric passport service page:
Deux photos d’identité (2″x2″) prises au cours des 6 derniers mois.
(Two identity photos, 2 in × 2 in, taken in the last 6 months.)
The site also sets out the route: any Congolese national may apply, presenting themselves at the competent services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or at an embassy or consulate, with a passport fee of 75 USD and processing of about 10 working days in Kinshasa, 14 in the provinces and 28 abroad.
Why the square size matters
Most of the region works to a 35 × 45 mm portrait. The DRC asks for 2 × 2 inches, which is square — so a photo cropped to the usual European or African shape will not simply need a trim; the proportions are different. Prepare the image from the 50.8 × 50.8 mm frame, and check it against the photo size chart. The image cropper handles an exact square crop, and the image compressor can reduce the file size if you need to email or upload it. Confirm the format with the passport photo checker, and read the general digital file requirements if you also need a digital copy.
Two things the page does not say
The official sentence is short, and it is worth being precise about what is not in it. The background colour is not stated, and neither is a head-height ratio. Because the page is silent, this guide does not invent a number for either — follow the general ICAO-style baseline of a plain, light background with a full-frontal face, and confirm any specific requirement with the office handling your application.
A note on the two Congos
This page covers the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC, capital Kinshasa). The neighbouring Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) is a separate country with its own rules, so do not apply one country’s specification to the other.
Frequently asked questions
What size photo does the DR Congo require?
2 inches by 2 inches, which is 50.8 mm by 50.8 mm — a square format.
How many photos do I need?
Two identity photos.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months.
What background colour does the DR Congo require?
The official pages do not state a background colour, so none is given here.
Does the page give a head height or pixel size?
No. Only the 2 x 2 inch size and the 6-month recency are published, so no head-height or pixel figure is stated here.
How do I submit the photos?
As paper photos, in person at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an embassy or consulate; biometric data is also recorded as part of the application.
Source: République Démocratique du Congo, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères (diplomatie.gouv.cd), homepage FAQ and biometric passport service page, retrieved 2026-09-28. Requirements change, so confirm the current rule on the official page before you apply.