DR Congo Work Permit Photo — Official Requirements & Compliant Preparation

Getting your DR Congo work permit (carte de travail) accepted on the first submission depends heavily on presenting photographs that match the precise standards used by Congolese labour authorities, including ONEM (Office National de l'Emploi). A photo prepared to the exact official specification — correct 35×45 mm dimensions, pure white background, and the required face-to-frame ratio — ensures your dossier moves forward without preventable delays.

Foreign nationals applying for a carte de travail in the Democratic Republic of Congo are required to include two identical passport-type photographs with their application package. The DRC follows the internationally recognised 35×45 mm format on a plain white background, consistent with Congolese passport and visa photo standards. Because a work permit dossier typically passes through several reviewing bodies — the labour inspectorate, immigration administration, and often the sponsoring employer — both copies must be physically identical and print-ready. Even a minor deviation, such as an off-white background or a face positioned slightly too low in the frame, is sufficient grounds for rejection, adding weeks to the process for expatriates working in mining, NGOs, or diplomatic services.

• Photo dimensions: 35×45 mm (413×531 px digital file)
• Background: plain white (#FFFFFF) — no shadows, gradients, or patterns
• Face coverage: 70–80% of the total frame height
• Expression: neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open and clearly visible
• Glasses: not permitted — all frame types and lens types are excluded
• Headwear: not permitted except for documented religious reasons; must not cast shadows on the face
• Recency: photo must have been taken within the last 6 months
• Image quality: sharp focus, no pixelation, no digital retouching of facial features

Common reasons DR Congo work permit photos are rejected:

• Off-white or cream background — even a faint warm tone is flagged during review; the background must be pure white (#FFFFFF) with no visible shadows behind the head or shoulders
• Incorrect face-to-frame ratio — a face that is too small, too large, or positioned too close to the top edge fails the 70–80% height requirement applied by reviewing officials
• Glasses present in the photo — thin frames, tinted lenses, and prescription glasses are all non-compliant regardless of lens thickness or frame colour
• Low print quality — photos printed on standard home inkjet paper frequently lack the sharpness and colour accuracy that Congolese labour inspectors expect from a submitted dossier

Upload your photo and receive a free watermarked preview showing your finished, specification-correct DR Congo work permit photo — no payment required at that stage. Your image is automatically cropped and sized to the exact 35×45 mm standard expected by ONEM and the issuing authority. If the final photo is ever rejected by Congolese authorities, it will be redone at no extra cost or you will receive a full refund. You pay only for the final file, and only when you are satisfied with the result.