Kenya eTA Photo Requirements: A Selfie or a Passport-Style Photo
Official rules: no fixed size, background: not stated (plain, light background is safest). Source: etakenya.go.ke, checked 24 Oct 2026.
Kenya eTA photo size at a glance
The Kenya eTA photo has no fixed size in the official rules.
| Printed size | No print size given |
|---|---|
| Pixels (official rule) | Not stated (SafeResize makes a 35:45 passport shape) |
| File size | Not stated in the official rules |
| Background | Not stated (plain, light background is safest) |
| Head size | 70% to 80% of the photo height, chin to top of head (the official rules give none, so this is the ICAO guideline) |
| Source | etakenya.go.ke |
| Checked | 24 Oct 2026 |
What the official pages say about the Kenya eTA photo
Kenya's Electronic Travel Authorisation replaces the visa for most visitors, and its portal took over from evisa.go.ke on 5 January 2024. Every visitor, babies and children included, needs an approved eTA before travelling, unless exempt. Under rules amended in 2025, citizens of the East African partner states are exempt for up to 180 days, and nationals of listed countries such as Ghana and Malaysia for 90 days or Nigeria for 60. You apply only on etakenya.go.ke or the official Kenya Travel Authorisation app, once per traveller. A standard eTA costs $30, and processing normally takes three working days.
On photos, the official pages say little. Their checklist asks only for a "selfie or passport-type photo", and the privacy policy lists two images: a photo or scan of your identity document, and a photo suitable for use in one. None of them gives a pixel size, file type, background or rule on glasses. Check everything before paying: the fee is not refunded, even when an eTA is denied, and a form sent with mistakes may have to be replaced by a new, paid application.
Sources, checked 24 Oct 2026: How to apply (Kenya eTA, Directorate of Immigration Services), FAQs (Kenya eTA), Eligibility and fees (Kenya eTA), Privacy policy (Kenya eTA), Terms and conditions (Kenya eTA) and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (Embassy of Kenya, Washington DC).
How to make your Kenya eTA photo
- Stand about an arm's length from the camera in front of a plain wall (not stated (plain, light background is safest)). Face a window for soft, even light.
- Add the photo on this page. It stays on your device.
- Drag and zoom until your face fills the green oval: top of the head on the top line, chin on the bottom line.
- Download the photo. The pixels, file size and format are checked before you save it.
- Upload it to the official application.
Questions and answers
What size is the Kenya eTA photo?
The official rules do not fix a pixel size. SafeResize makes a sharp 413 × 531 pixel file that fits every other rule.
What is the Kenya eTA photo size in cm, inches or pixels?
The official rules give no size in cm or inches, and on pixels they say: not stated (SafeResize makes a 35:45 passport shape). SafeResize makes a 413 × 531 pixel photo in the 7:9 shape of a 35 × 45 mm passport photo, our own choice that fits the other rules.
What file size does the Kenya eTA photo need to be?
The official rules do not state a file size. SafeResize shows the size of your file before you download it, so you can compare it with what the application screen asks for.
What background colour does the Kenya eTA photo need?
Not stated (plain, light background is safest). Stand in front of a plain wall with no pattern, and face a window so there are no shadows behind you. If your wall is not plain enough, the photo maker on this page can make the background white with an AI that runs on your device. Check the edges around your hair afterwards.
How big should my head be in the Kenya eTA photo?
From the chin to the top of the head, your head should fill 70% to 80% of the photo height. The official rules do not state this, so we use the international (ICAO) guideline. The face guide in the tool shows both lines.
Kenya eTA photo rejected: what can I do?
The eTA pages list no photo reasons for refusal. If your eTA is denied, the FAQ says you cannot travel to Kenya for the moment and should email support@etakenya.go.ke to report your situation and get details. The fee is not refunded, and each new application is charged again.
Can I use a selfie for the Kenya eTA?
Yes. The eTA website and the Embassy of Kenya in Washington both list a "selfie or passport-type photo" among the things to have ready. The privacy policy says the photo collected should be suitable for use in an identity document.
Do children need their own Kenya eTA?
Yes. All visitors, including infants and children, need an approved eTA unless exempt, and travelling as a group still means one eTA per passenger. Parents, legal guardians or accompanying adults are responsible for what is submitted, and the pages give no separate photo rules for children.
Do Indian citizens need a Kenya eTA?
Yes, on an ordinary passport, because India is not on the eTA site's exempt list. Indian diplomatic, official and service passports are exempt for up to 90 days, and the general exemptions, such as airside transit or a valid Kenyan work permit, apply to every nationality.
What else do the Kenya eTA photo rules say?
The official pages ask only for a selfie or a passport-type photo, and the privacy policy for a photo suitable for use in an identity document. They give no size, file type or background.
Which file format should I use?
Not stated (JPG is safest). SafeResize saves a JPG (JPEG) file.
Can I take this photo at home?
Yes. A photo taken at home is fine if it follows the rules above. It is easier if someone else takes it for you.
Is my photo uploaded to SafeResize?
No. The photo is processed inside your browser and never leaves your phone or computer.
Please note: The official photo rules are very short, so use a clear passport-style photo on a plain, light background.
Source: etakenya.go.ke, checked 24 Oct 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on the official page before you apply.
More tools for this photo
- Check my file test your file against these rules before you upload it
Related photo rules
- Kenya Passport Passport (ePassport)
- Egypt e-Visa / embassy visa also in Africa
- Ethiopia e-Visa also in Africa
- Ghana Visa also in Africa
- Morocco e-Visa also in Africa
Related photo sizes
- Nigeria e-Visa 600 × 600 pixels
- Rwanda Visa no fixed size
- Tanzania e-Visa 35 × 45 mm
- Uganda e-Visa no fixed size
- South Africa ETA studio or office photo
- South Africa Visa 35 × 45 mm