Mali Passport Photo — Official Size, Requirements & Instant Preparation

A Mali biometric passport application requires two recent photographs prepared to a precise government standard. The issuing authority — the Direction Générale de la Police Nationale du Mali — specifies a 35×45 mm print (827×1063 px at 600 dpi) with a plain white background, a neutral expression, and strict biometric proportions. Getting every detail right the first time saves you a return trip and delays to your travel plans.

The most important measurement applicants overlook is the face-to-frame ratio: the distance from the chin to the crown of the head must fall between 31 mm and 36 mm — roughly 71–80 % of the total frame height. This is tighter than many other countries' passports, and it is the single most common reason a technically decent photo gets refused at the Mali passport office. Both copies must also have been taken within the last three months; older photos are rejected even if they look identical to the applicant today.

• Print size: 35×45 mm (digital equivalent: 827×1063 px)
• Background: solid white (#FFFFFF) — no off-white, cream, or grey
• Face coverage: chin-to-crown 31–36 mm (71–80 % of frame height)
• Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes fully open and looking directly at the camera
• Glasses: permitted only if both eyes are fully visible, with no glare and no tinted lenses
• Headwear: prohibited except for documented religious or medical reasons; if worn, it must be dark in colour and must not obscure the face or hairline
• Recency: both photos must have been taken within the last three months
• Lighting: uniform, no shadows on the face or background
• Print quality: sharp focus, natural skin tones, no pixelation or ink marks

• Common reasons photos are rejected in Mali:
• Chin-to-crown measurement outside the 31–36 mm range — the biometric window is strict and difficult to judge by eye
• Background that is cream, light grey, or off-white rather than pure white (#FFFFFF)
• Photos taken more than three months ago — both copies must be recent, and officials check this
• Headwear worn without a valid religious or medical reason, or headwear that is light-coloured rather than dark

Upload your photo and it is automatically cropped and scaled to the exact 35×45 mm standard, with the face centred to the required 31–36 mm biometric window and the background corrected to pure white. Before you pay anything, you receive a free watermarked preview so you can confirm the result. If the finished photo is ever refused by the passport office, it is redone at no cost or you receive a full refund — you pay only for a photo you are satisfied with. Start with any well-lit selfie or portrait, and have both compliant copies ready in minutes.