Madagascar Passport Photo
Madagascar's passport photo rules are given in digital terms: 431 x 555 pixels at 300 dpi, a .jpg under 50 KB, on an off-white or light grey background. This page sets out the full specification and the two details that catch people out. Based on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs pre-registration page.
The official specification
Madagascar’s passport pre-registration portal (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) gives its photo rules in digital terms — pixels, resolution and file format — rather than millimetres. The full set:
| Dimensions | 431 px × 555 px |
| Resolution | 300 dpi |
| File format | .jpg |
| File size | Under 50 KB |
| Background | Off-white or light grey, with a clear difference between your face and the background |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Pose | Face and shoulders straight, centred and square to the camera |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, no smiling |
| Face | Forehead and ears clear; eyes open and clearly visible |
| Glasses and piercings | No glasses, no piercing rings |
| Lighting | Even, no shadows |
| Size in mm | Not published — the official page gives pixels, not millimetres |
| Head height ratio | Not published officially |
Two things that catch people out
- The background is not pure white. Madagascar asks for off-white (blanc cassé) or light grey, with a clear contrast against your face — not the stark white used by many other countries.
- The rules are stated in pixels, not millimetres. The official page gives 431 × 555 px at 300 dpi; it does not publish a millimetre figure, so this guide does not convert it into one.
Meeting the pixel and file limits
The 431 × 555 px requirement is easy to miss, because a phone photo is normally far larger. Crop the image to those exact pixels with the image cropper, and bring the file under 50 KB with the image compressor — a 431 × 555 JPG compresses well below the limit without visible loss. Then verify the finished file with the passport photo checker and compare the format against other countries on the photo size chart, and see the visa document checklists for the paperwork that goes with an application.
Frequently asked questions
What size photo does Madagascar require?
431 pixels wide by 555 pixels tall, at 300 dpi, saved as a .jpg under 50 KB. The official page gives pixels, not millimetres.
What background colour is required?
Off-white (blanc cassé) or light grey, with a clear difference between your face and the background — not pure white.
Can I wear glasses or piercings?
No. The rules say no glasses and no piercing rings.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months.
Does Madagascar publish a size in millimetres or a head height?
No. The official page gives dimensions in pixels (431 x 555) and 300 dpi; no millimetre figure or head-height ratio is stated, so none is given here.
How should I pose?
Face and shoulders straight, centred and square to the camera, with a neutral expression, mouth closed, forehead and ears clear, eyes open and clearly visible, and even lighting with no shadows.
Source: Ministère des Affaires étrangères de Madagascar, passport pre-registration photo requirements (diplomatie.gov.mg), retrieved 2026-09-28; passport portal pn.gov.mg. Requirements change, so confirm the current rule on the official page before you apply.