Kenya eTA Photo Requirements: An Applicant’s Guide

The Kenya eTA is an electronic travel document for citizens of eligible countries that authorizes visits to Kenya. Though the Kenya eTA is not as complicated and does not involve lengthy paperwork as obtaining an offline visa for Kenya, there are certain rules and requirements that have to be met by the eligible citizens. 

One such requirement is submitting the digital photo for the Kenya eTA application. Applicants must know that uploading photos for Kenya eTA requires them to follow certain guidelines and these guidelines will either make their Kenya eTA a pass or fail application.

There are two Kenya eTA types: one meant for single entries, such as the Kenya tourist eTA, Kenya business eTA, and Kenya Transit eTA and the other eTAs, such as the One-Year Multiple Entry eTA and East African Tourist Visa, which are used for citizens who wish to enter Kenya multiple times. To obtain any Kenya eTA, there are Kenya eTA photo requirements Kenya eTA applicants must adhere to. 

Why Photo Specifications Matter for Your Kenya eTA

Immigration authorities require clear and high-quality images to verify your identity and make sure that Kenya eTA applicants meet entry requirements. In case applicants do not upload a digital photo according to the Kenya eTA standards, their Kenya eTA application will be rejected.

To avoid this, Kenya eTA applicants must follow the specific rules for photo size, background, expression, attire, and other guidelines. By doing so, Kenya eTA applicants can help streamline their Kenya eTA application process and avoid unnecessary headaches.

Size and Dimensions for Kenya eTA Photos

The first and most important Kenya eTA application aspect to consider when submitting a digital photo for a Kenya eTA is the size. For a photo to be accepted, Kenya eTA applicants should consider the following:

Photo Size: The required dimensions are 207px by 207px (approximately 5.5cm by 5.5cm). These dimensions are important for the photo to fit the application system properly.

Face Proportion: The face of the Kenya eTA applicant should occupy between 70% to 80% of the entire image.

In case Kenya eTA applicants fail to meet the exact size and proportion requirements, it could lead to rejection of their Kenya eTA. We always advise travelers to make sure that their photo is cropped and resized to fit these specifications accurately.

Background and Lighting

For a digital photo to be uploaded on your Kenya eTA application, the background and lighting should be taken seriously. 

A proper background for your Kenya eTA application photo means the Kenyan authorities can clearly identify your facial features without distractions or obstructions.

Here is what Kenya eTA applicants should consider an appropriate lighting and background:

Plain White Background: The Kenya eTA applicant’s photo background has to be plain. No prints and patterns on the wall. This makes sure there is enough contrast to draw attention to your face without being overpowered.

No Shadows or Patterns: There should be absolutely no shadows over the applicant’s face or on the background. This is because a shadow or pattern can obscure an applicant’s features.

Proper Lighting: The photo for the Kenya eTA should be well-lit, using natural or studio lighting. Harsh contrasts or overly bright lighting can make it difficult to discern the applicant’s facial features. 

The goal for the Kenya eTA is to make sure your face is clear and easily visible against the plain white background.

Pose and Facial Expression

When posing for your Kenya eTA application photo, know that the immigration authorities of Kenya require that you maintain a neutral expression and pose. Key guidelines for the Kenya application to follow:

Neutral Expression: Kenya eTA applicants are required to have a neutral facial expression when getting their picture clicked. Refrain from forced faces or exaggerated facial expressions.

Eyes Open and Visible: Kenya eTA applicants’ eyes have to be open as normal and not unnecessarily stretched and clearly visible. 

Directly Facing the Camera: Kenya eTA applicants should get a picture where they are looking at the camera in a way that makes their face clearly visible. Tilting your head or looking off to the side is not allowed.

Following these guidelines helps ensure that your photo accurately represents you, which is crucial for identification purposes.

Attire and Accessories

While it might seem like your attire would not matter too much in a visa photo, there are specific Kenya eTA guidelines regarding what you should wear and what accessories are allowed. 

Everyday Clothing: You must wear regular, everyday clothing. Uniforms or other attire that might obscure your identity are not allowed.

No Headwear: Headwear is not permitted unless it is worn for religious reasons. Even then, your face must be fully visible, and the headwear should not obstruct any part of your face.

Avoid Glasses: While glasses may be part of your daily attire, they are not recommended for your Kenya eTA photo. Glasses can cause glare or reflections that may obscure your eyes.

In case glasses have to be worn by the applicant, they must ask their photographer to make sure that no reflection is there on the glasses and the eyes can be clearly visible through them.

No Accessories Covering Your Face: Ensure that no accessories, such as scarves, hats, or jewelry, cover any part of your face. The purpose is to allow authorities to clearly identify you.

Dressing simply and avoiding excessive accessories will help ensure that your photo meets the standards set by Kenyan authorities.

Digital Photo Specifications for eTA Applications

If you are submitting a digital photo for your Kenya eTA application, there are additional specifications to keep in mind. The digital photo requirements include:

Size: Applicants for the Kenya eTA have to follow 207px by 207px specifications, which is the preferred resolution for online applications.

File Format: Kenya eTA accepts JPEG format pictures. Applicants must read the current Kenya eTA formats for a successful Kenya eTA.

File Size: 300KB is the set size for the Kenya eTA application. Kenya eTA applicants uploading files that are larger than 300 KB must first get them compressed before uploading.

Color: The photo must be a full-color image with natural skin tones. Black and white photos and, in fact, photos that are color copied are not acceptable.

Close-Up: Kenya eTA applicants must get their head and shoulders close up and their face has to be at least 70% to 80% clearly visible. 

Timeline of the Photo: As recent as the photo for the Kenya eTA application, the much better. However, 6 months is the minimum age for a Kenya eTA application photo.

No Scans or Photocopies: For the Kenya eTA, only scanned digital photos are accepted, and they must be clear and free of any marks or creases.

Meeting these specifications is vital for a smooth eTA application process. If your digital photo does not meet the guidelines, your eTA may be delayed or denied.

Kenya eTA applicants who are unsure of the photo standards and do not want to take any risks with their Kenya eTA application should work with a professional photo service provider, preferably one who is well-versed with visa photos.

Many photo studios offer visa photo services specifically designed to meet international requirements. There are various online services that can help you resize and format your photo to meet the exact specifications needed for a Kenya eTA.

Kenya eTA applicants should always check the latest photo requirements on the official Kenya eTA application portal before submitting their photo.

For assistance regarding Kenya eTA applications, travelers can seek help at the Kenya eTA helpdesk.