head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceDepartment of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka (ETA) and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Sri Lanka visa photo size is 35 × 45 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 | 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 | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
Whether a Sri Lanka visa needs a photograph depends on the route. The online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) on eta.gov.lk says it is issued online and that «no passport copies, documents or photographs are required».
The photograph appears only on the paper routes through a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate. The Embassy in Abu Dhabi asks for a recently taken colour photograph of 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm for a tourist visa applied for at the embassy, and for two recent passport-size photographs (colour, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm or 2 × 2 inches) when the consulate submits the ETA online on your behalf or when you apply for a single or double entry visa.
The two sizes written 4.5 × 3.5 and 3.5 × 4.5 are the same print, the height and width named in a different order.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Sri Lanka visa applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka (ETA) and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Size not 3.5 × 4.5 cm (4.5 × 3.5 cm) or 2 × 2 in for the embassy list | Print 3.5 × 4.5 cm, or 2 × 2 in only where the list names it. |
| A black-and-white or old photograph (the lists ask for a recent colour one) | Take a recent colour photograph shortly before applying. |
| Wrong number of photographs (one for the tourist visa, two when the ETA is filed for you) | Follow the list of the route you use; carry one spare print. |
| Uploading or paying for a photo on the online ETA, which asks for none | Apply on eta.gov.lk only and pay only there. |
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 35 × 45 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″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
A short tourist visit is applied for online as an Electronic Travel Authorization on eta.gov.lk, which asks for no photograph; where that is not possible, a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate takes a paper application with the photograph it lists.
eta.gov.lk — the applicant or a third party can apply; payment only on this site
No passport copies, documents or photographs are required.
Authority pageExample read: the Embassy in Abu Dhabi; apply at least one month before the visit
Photographs: one colour 4.5 × 3.5 cm for the tourist visa; two 3.5 × 4.5 cm or 2 × 2 in when the consulate submits the ETA.
Authority page| Authority | Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka (ETA) and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi |
|---|---|
| Source | Sri Lanka ETA and the embassy route — photographs |
| Verified |
Questions
For the online ETA, none: the eta.gov.lk page says no passport copies, documents or photographs are required. For the paper route at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi, a recently taken colour photograph of 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm, or two recent passport-size photographs (colour, 3.5 × 4.5 cm or 2 × 2 inches) when the consulate files the ETA for you.
The ETA information page says it is issued through an on-line system and that no photographs are required. It is an older page, so if the live form asks for a file, follow the form; never pay anywhere but eta.gov.lk.
Both are the same print: the Abu Dhabi embassy writes 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm on one page and 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm on another, and also accepts 2 × 2 inches on the two-photo list. Print 35 mm wide by 45 mm high.
One for a tourist visa applied for at the Abu Dhabi embassy, two when the consulate submits the ETA online on your behalf. Another embassy may differ, so read its visa page.
At the Abu Dhabi embassy: Form B, a passport valid at least six months with a blank page, the colour photograph, and the visa fee in cash (AED 130 for other nationals, AED 75 for SAARC countries; children under 12 exempt). If the consulate files the ETA for you add copies of the face page and residence visa, a return ticket and proof of accommodation.
The recommended size for the Sri Lanka visa photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 70–80% of the photo height. Many consulates also require a specific digital file size — see the spec table above for full details.
Plain light background without textures or noticeable gradients. The background must be evenly lit with no shadow gradients, especially around the head. Consular automated pre-screening rejects photos with any wall texture before the human reviewer ever sees the application.
Visa authorities typically require the photo to be taken within the last three to six months. Submitting an older photo, even one that looks similar to your current appearance, is a frequent cause of immediate consular rejection.
Not always. Tourist, work, student and transit visa categories sometimes specify different dimensions or background rules. Follow the requirements for your specific visa type rather than assuming one photo fits all Sri Lanka visa applications.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the photo is the cause of rejection and you supply the consular rejection notice. We recommend keeping the consular receipt with rejection reason as proof.
Clear glasses only, no reflections; sunglasses prohibited. Consular automated checks flag glasses glare even when it is invisible to the human eye. Removing glasses entirely is the safest choice unless a medical exception is documented in your visa application.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 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 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: citizenship application, ID card.