head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceMinistry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) of Namibia
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Namibia passport photo size is 51 × 51 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 | 51 × 51 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 | 51 × 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 5.1 × 5.1 cm |
| Inches | 2 × 2″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 602 × 602 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 1205 × 1205 px |
The Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security lists among the documents of a passport application «one (1) passport size colour photo with clear background if applying in the regions or Namibian diplomatic missions or consulates, as well as when applying for minor and school-going children under the age of 16». The page names no photograph for an adult applying at the head office in Windhoek and gives no size or head rules. The other documents: a copy of the Namibian identity card (with the receipt if the ID has only been applied for), a marriage certificate or divorce order for women, and the application form with number 8 certified by a commissioner of oaths; all applicants from the age of 13 sign on the reverse page of the form, and all copies must be duly certified; the fee shown is N$300.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Namibia passport applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) of Namibia publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| A photograph that is not in colour or has no clear background, where one is required | One passport-size colour photo with a clear background. |
| No photograph for an application in the regions, at a mission abroad or for a child under 16 | One photograph with the application in those cases. |
| Copies that are not duly certified, or number 8 of the form not certified by a commissioner of oaths | Certified copies and number 8 certified by a commissioner of oaths. |
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 51 × 51 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″ | 4 (2 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 20 (4 × 5) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
A Namibian passport is applied for at the Ministry's offices in Windhoek or the regions, or at a Namibian diplomatic mission or consulate abroad, with the form, certified copies and, in the cases named, one photograph.
mha.gov.na — Corner of Hosea Kutako Drive and Harvey Street, Windhoek
One passport-size colour photo with a clear background in the regions, at missions abroad and for children under 16.
Authority page| Authority | Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) of Namibia |
|---|---|
| Source | Passports — general information: documents to attach |
| Verified |
Questions
The Ministry asks for one passport-size colour photo with a clear background if you apply in the regions or at a Namibian mission abroad, and for minors and school-going children under 16.
The Ministry's page says only «passport size», in colour, with a clear background, and gives no millimetres.
All applicants from the age of 13 sign on the reverse page, and number 8 of the form must be certified by a commissioner of oaths.
The recommended size for the Namibia passport photo is 51 × 51 mm. The head occupies 70–80% of the photo height.
Plain light background without textures or noticeable gradients. No gradients, textures, shadows or objects behind the subject are permitted. The tool removes background shadows automatically, but starting with a flat, evenly lit wall gives the best result.
Yes. Stand in front of a flat, plain wall in good natural light, face the light source and use the rear camera of your phone with a 3-second timer. The tool handles the crop, background normalisation and compliance check against the Namibia biometric standard.
Most passport authorities require the photo to be taken within the last six months. Do not reuse an older portrait even if your appearance has not changed.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the photo is rejected by the Namibia authority and you supply the official rejection notice. See the refund policy page for the exact process.
Clear glasses only, no reflections; sunglasses prohibited. In practice, the biometric scanner at submission points flags even minor lens glare that looks fine to the naked eye. Removing glasses before shooting is the only option that eliminates the risk entirely.
51 × 51 mm = 5.1 × 5.1 cm = 2 × 2 inches. At 300 dpi that is 602 × 602 pixels; at 600 dpi, 1205 × 1205 pixels.
1 identical photographs, 51 × 51 mm each.
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.