head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceICAO baseline
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Colombia citizenship application photo size is 40 × 50 mm. Plain light background without textures or noticeable gradients. Head occupies 70–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 40 × 50 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 70–80% of photo height |
| Background | Plain light background without textures or noticeable gradients. |
| Pose | Strictly full face, head without rotation or tilt, shoulders level. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Clear glasses only, no reflections; sunglasses prohibited. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows on the face and background not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing, shoulders visible, without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 40 × 50 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 4 × 5 cm |
| Inches | 1.57 × 1.97″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 472 × 591 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 945 × 1181 px |
Colombia citizenship document photos are reviewed and archived as part of permanent national records. The review confirms physical dimensions, background, lighting and that the face matches the applicant's current appearance. The biometric data extracted from the photo feeds both the printed certificate and the encrypted chip storage where applicable.
Citizenship documents are issued once and used for decades — at banks, polling stations, immigration controls and government offices. The photo must establish a stable biometric reference that will continue to match the applicant through future passport renewals and identity verifications.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Colombia citizenship application applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
How to take it
Background: plain light
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 70–80 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 40 × 50 mm.
Clear lenses only, no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 6 (3 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 28 (4 × 7) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
| Authority | ICAO baseline |
|---|---|
| Source | ICAO biometric portrait baseline |
| Verified |
Questions
The recommended size for the Colombia citizenship application photo is 40 × 50 mm. The head occupies 70–80% of the photo height. Naturalisation and citizenship certificate photos use the same biometric standard as Colombia passports.
Most citizenship authorities require photos taken within the last three to six months. Because citizenship documents are issued once and used for decades, submit a photo that genuinely reflects your current appearance, not a stylised portrait.
Plain light background without textures or noticeable gradients. The photo will be printed on official documents and digitally archived — even minor background issues become permanent in the record. Use a flat, evenly lit wall with no objects or shadows.
Clear glasses only, no reflections; sunglasses prohibited. Citizenship documents are checked at immigration, banking and government offices over the document's lifetime. Removing glasses for the photo prevents future verification problems.
It does not need to be identical, but must show the same person clearly. Significant differences in hair, facial hair or weight may prompt the citizenship authority to request a new photo or in-person verification.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the Colombia citizenship authority rejects the photo and you supply the rejection notice.
40 × 50 mm = 4 × 5 cm = 1.57 × 1.97 inches. At 300 dpi that is 472 × 591 pixels; at 600 dpi, 945 × 1181 pixels.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.
Yes. The same 40 × 50 mm format and head size apply to: ID card.