Sierra Leone Passport Photo — Exact Requirements & Instant Compliance

A Sierra Leone passport photo that passes first time must meet the exact specifications set by the Sierra Leone Immigration Department. The country follows the ECOWAS-region 35×45 mm format — the same standard used across West Africa — meaning a photo sized for a UK or US passport will not be accepted. Getting every measurement right before you submit saves time, money, and delays to your travel plans.

The single most common source of confusion for applicants is the precise head size within the frame. Sierra Leone's standard requires the head (chin to crown) to span approximately 34.5 mm — filling roughly 77 % of the frame height. This is a tighter crop than many people expect. A photo where the face looks small or is centred with too much headroom will be rejected even if every other detail is correct. The background must be plain white (#FFFFFF) — off-white, cream, or light grey backgrounds are not permitted. The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must show a clear, sharp, unobstructed view of the full face.

• Size: 35 × 45 mm (digital equivalent: 827 × 1063 px at 600 dpi)
• Background: plain white only — no patterns, shadows, or off-white tones
• Head size: chin to crown approximately 34.5 mm; face fills 70–80 % of frame height
• Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and looking directly at the camera
• Glasses: not allowed under any circumstances
• Head coverings: permitted for religious reasons only; face must remain fully visible
• Recency: taken within the last 6 months, accurately representing current appearance

• Wrong dimensions or aspect ratio — using a 2×2 inch (US-format) or 35×35 mm print instead of the required 35×45 mm is one of the most frequent causes of rejection at Sierra Leone immigration counters.
• Glasses on the applicant — even clear or lightly tinted frames are not permitted; remove all eyewear before the photo is taken.
• Head too small in the frame — leaving excessive space above the head is a routine rejection reason; the chin-to-crown measurement must reach approximately 34.5 mm within the 45 mm frame height.
• Non-white background — any background that is off-white, grey, or shows a visible gradient or shadow behind the shoulders will cause the photo to fail inspection.

To get your compliant Sierra Leone passport photo, upload a clear, front-facing photo taken against any plain surface. It is automatically cropped and adjusted to the exact 35×45 mm Immigration Department standard — correct head size, white background, and all required proportions. You receive a free watermarked preview before paying anything, so you can confirm the result looks right. If the final photo is ever rejected by the immigration authority, it will be redone at no charge or you receive a full refund. You pay only for the final file, only when you are satisfied.