Tanzania Passport Photo
Tanzania states its visa photo rules as upper limits rather than a fixed size: no more than 45 x 35 mm, a JPG or JPEG under 500KB, in colour on a plain background. This page sets out exactly what the official guidelines say, and what they leave unstated. Based on the Tanzania Immigration Services visa guidelines.
The official specification
Tanzania’s immigration visa portal states its photo rules for a visa application (eVisa) as limits rather than a fixed size. The official wording: The photo size should not exceed 45mm (length) X 35 mm (Width).
| Size | Should not exceed 45 mm (length) × 35 mm (width) — the official text states a maximum, not a fixed size |
| File size | Should not exceed 500KB for a visa application |
| File format | JPG or JPEG |
| Colour | Coloured |
| Background | Plain background (the official text says plain, and does not name a specific colour) |
| Composition | Full face, front view, facing the camera directly; full head from top of hair to bottom of chin, with eyes open |
| Glasses | An applicant who regularly wears glasses is allowed to keep them on |
| Pixels / head height | Not published officially |
Two things that catch people out
- It is a maximum, not an exact size. The portal says the photo should not exceed 45 × 35 mm. That is an upper limit — unlike the fixed sizes most countries give. Match the aspect (portrait) and stay within it.
- The background colour is not specified. The official text asks for a plain background but does not name white or any other colour, so this page does not assert one. A plain, even, single-colour background is what is asked for.
Meeting the 500KB limit
The 500KB cap is the one most likely to trip up a straight-from-the-phone photo. Crop to a portrait frame with the image cropper, then bring the file under 500KB with the image compressor — the passport photo checker confirms the result. Compare other countries on the photo size chart.
Frequently asked questions
What size photo does Tanzania require?
The official portal says the photo should not exceed 45 mm (length) by 35 mm (width) — a maximum, not a fixed size.
What is the file-size limit for a Tanzania visa photo?
It should not exceed 500KB for a visa application.
What format should the photo be?
A JPG or JPEG file, in colour.
What background colour does Tanzania require?
The official text asks for a plain background but does not name a specific colour, so no single colour is asserted here.
Can I wear glasses in the photo?
Yes, if you regularly wear them — the portal allows a photo with glasses on.
Does Tanzania publish a pixel size or head-height ratio?
No. The official guidelines give the mm limit, the 500KB cap and the format; no pixel figure or head-height ratio is stated.
Source: Tanzania Immigration Services (visa.immigration.go.tz), Visa Guidelines — the live domain currently has a TLS certificate error, so the official text was read from the Internet Archive snapshot of 25 September 2026; retrieved 2026-09-28. Requirements change, so confirm the current rule on the official portal before you apply.