Eritrea Passport Photo — 35×45 mm, White Background
Eritrea's domestic passport services are not reachable online, so this page follows the embassy line (US and Sweden) — the diplomatic missions that handle passport applications for Eritrean citizens abroad. Both specify the same size and background. Verified against the Eritrean embassies in the US and Sweden, October 2026.
The 15-second answer
The photo is 35×45 mm on a white background. Both the US and Swedish embassy instructions agree on the size, the background and the pose rules. They differ on the number of photos: the US embassy asks for three and the Swedish embassy for four — each shown below as its own mission states it.
Size and background (both embassies)
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
| Background | White (plain white) |
| Number | 3 (US embassy) / 4 (Swedish embassy) |
Pose and appearance (both embassies)
- Centred and facing straight forward.
- Hair off the face, so the forehead and ears are fully visible (the Swedish form adds: it must show both ears).
- Eyes open, mouth closed.
- Natural expression — no smile, laugh or frown.
- Prescription glasses only (the Swedish form: wear glasses if prescribed by a doctor).
- Only religious hats or scarves are allowed (the Swedish form adds: if worn daily for religious reasons, and they must not obscure or cast shadows on the eyes or face).
- The Swedish form adds: the photo must be clear, with no spots, smears or dirt, and the face must look natural with normal lighting; the photo must be recent (within one month).
The two embassy lines, side by side
- United States embassy (us.embassyeritrea.org/passport/): three photos, 35×45 mm, white background.
- Swedish embassy (eritrean-embassy.se, passport application form): four passport-size photographs, 35×45 mm, plain white background, recent (within one month).
Note: the difference in the number of photos is reproduced as each mission publishes it; this page does not decide between them. Confirm the count with the embassy that handles your application.
Preparing the file
Prepare a 35×45 mm print and sanity-check the file with the passport photo checker. See the at-home photo guide and the rejection reasons guide, and compare other formats on the photo size chart.
Frequently asked questions
What size is an Eritrea passport photo?
35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) on a plain white background, per the Eritrean embassies in the US and Sweden.
How many photos do I need for an Eritrea passport?
The US embassy asks for three photos and the Swedish embassy asks for four. Each figure is shown as that mission publishes it; confirm with the embassy handling your application.
Can I wear glasses in an Eritrea passport photo?
Prescription glasses only. The Swedish form says to wear glasses if prescribed by a doctor.
Can I wear a head covering in an Eritrea passport photo?
Only religious hats or scarves are allowed. If worn daily for religious reasons, they must not obscure or cast shadows on the eyes or face.
What expression should I use for an Eritrea passport photo?
A natural expression - no smile, laugh or frown - with eyes open, mouth closed, centred and facing straight forward.
Where do these Eritrea photo rules come from?
They are the embassy line (US and Sweden): Eritrea's domestic passport services are not reachable online, so the diplomatic missions that process applications abroad are the source. Both agree on size and background.
Browse every photo format on the photo size chart, and see the passport documents checklist on the checklists hub.
Photo size chart → Check my photo →
Source note (embassy line, US/SE): the 35×45 mm size, white background, pose and appearance rules, and the three-photo count are from the Embassy of Eritrea in the United States, us.embassyeritrea.org/passport/; the four-photo count and the recency, both-ears and lighting details are from the Eritrean Embassy in Sweden passport form, eritrean-embassy.se/pdf/en-passport.pdf (both checked October 2026). Eritrea's domestic government services are not reachable online, so the embassy line is used.