Last updated: 14 September 2026. This is an informational guide; verify current specifications on the Qatar Ministry of Interior portal (moi.gov.qa). We are not affiliated with the Qatari government.
Qatar eVisa photo requirements in 2026 mandate a digital upload of 30 × 40 mm (720 × 961 pixels) in JPEG or PNG format, maximum 2 MB, with a plain white background, 3:4 portrait aspect ratio, and sRGB colour profile. The face must cover 70 to 80% of the photo height with a neutral expression, eyes open, and mouth closed. Photos older than six months or failing any specification are automatically rejected by the portal’s biometric verification system. Printed visa photos (35 × 45 mm) and passport photos (38 × 48 mm) do not apply to online eVisa submission.
Qatar eVisa Photo Dimensions, File Format & Background Specifications
The Qatar eVisa photo requirements specify a digital upload of exactly 30 × 40 mm (720 × 961 pixels) at a 3:4 portrait aspect ratio in JPEG or PNG format – not the 35 × 45 mm or 38 × 48 mm dimensions used for printed visa or passport photos. Plain white background required; off-white tolerated. Grey or light-blue backdrops fail contrast checks. Background must be free of shadows, patterns, or objects – even a faint shadow behind ears can trigger rejection. File must not exceed 2 MB; minimum resolution commonly cited as 600 DPI, though for digital uploads, exact pixel dimensions (720 × 961) matter more than DPI setting. Save in sRGB colour profile (CMYK causes colour inversion on biometric portals). Use zero-to-minimal compression; name files with alphanumeric characters plus underscores or hyphens only – no spaces or special characters. The portal does not auto-crop; pre-crop to exact dimensions before upload.
| Document Type | Dimensions (mm) | Dimensions (px) | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| eVisa digital upload | 30 × 40 | 720 × 961 | Plain white |
| Visa stamp (printed) | 35 × 45 | N/A | Plain white |
| Passport (Qatari citizen) | 38 × 48 | N/A | Plain white |
Facial Expression, Head Position, Glasses & Clothing Rules
The Qatar eVisa photo requirements mandate a neutral expression with mouth closed, eyes open, and head centred with ≤5° tilt tolerance. The face must cover 70-80% of image height, with chin-to-crown measuring 32-36 mm (34 mm typical) and a top margin of ≥4 mm. Portal verifies inter-pupillary distance (±2 mm tolerance) and jawline symmetry; if ears appear uneven, head tilt exceeds allowed ≤5°.
| Category | Permitted | Prohibited |
|---|---|---|
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking directly at camera | Smiling, frowning, teeth visible, raised eyebrows |
| Head position | Straight, centred, ≤5° pitch/roll/yaw; ears symmetrical | Tilted, turned, or rotated head |
| Hair | Forehead and face shape fully visible | Hair across eyes or obscuring cheeks |
| Glasses | Prescription only – thin frames, no glare, lenses clear | Sunglasses, tinted lenses, coloured contacts (interfere with iris biometrics) |
| Headwear | Religious or medical only; plain, no shadows on face; choose contrasting colour (avoid white hijab on white background) | Non-religious hats, patterned headwear, headphones |
| Clothing | Plain solid colours contrasting with white background (navy, dark grey recommended) | Uniforms, bold patterns, large logos |
| Jewellery | Minimal, small, simple pieces | Large or dangling jewellery |
| Permanent features | Tattoos, scars, birthmarks fully visible | Digital concealment or airbrushing |
| Beard | Allowed if well-groomed, not obscuring features | Beard hiding chin-to-forehead facial outline |
The Qatar eVisa photo requirements also prohibit cosmetic contact lenses, which interfere with biometric iris verification. Prescription glasses allowed only with thin frames, no glare, eyes fully visible. If glare persists, remove glasses. All permanent facial features must remain uncovered; no digital concealment or airbrushing.
Common Qatar eVisa Photo Rejection Reasons & How to Take a Compliant Photo
The top rejection causes are incorrect dimensions, non-white background, shadows, blurriness, sunglasses, and photos older than six months. First rejection: 3-5 business days delay. Repeated rejections: manual review (7-14 days). Extreme cases: new application required with additional fee. The re-upload window is not publicly specified; submit a compliant photo first time.
| Rejection Cause | Severity | Estimated Delay | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incorrect dimensions (not 30×40 mm / 720×961 px) | High | 3-5 days | Pre-crop to exact 3:4 ratio before upload |
| Non-white background | High | 3-5 days | Use plain white sheet or whiteboard |
| Poor lighting (shadows, glare) | Medium | 3-5 days | Diffused lighting at 45° angles, no flash |
| Facial obstruction (hair, glasses, jewellery) | Medium | 3-5 days | Tie hair back; remove sunglasses and tinted lenses |
| Non-neutral expression | Low | 3-5 days | Mouth closed, no smiling or frowning |
| Digital editing or filters | High | 3-5 days | Submit unretouched original photo |
| Inappropriate attire (uniforms, bold patterns) | Low | 3-5 days | Wear plain, solid-coloured clothing |
| Outdated photo (older than 6 months) | High | 3-5 days | Take a new photo within six months of applying |
| Wrong filename format (spaces, special characters) | Medium | 3-5 days | Use alphanumeric names with underscores only |
| CMYK colour profile instead of sRGB | Medium | 3-5 days | Convert to sRGB before uploading |
Set camera distance
1.5-2 m on tripod
Use rear camera
Not selfie (avoid wide-angle distortion)
Adjust camera settings
Enable self-timer; turn off HDR and portrait mode
Follow child rules
Infants under 1 year: closed eyes permitted; over 1: open eyes. No pacifiers, toys, or parent hands.
FAQ: Qatar eVisa Photo Requirements 2026
What are the exact photo dimensions for a Qatar eVisa in 2026?
Digital upload: 30 × 40 mm (720 × 961 pixels) at 3:4 aspect ratio. Printed visa: 35 × 45 mm; passport: 38 × 48 mm. For online eVisa, only the 30 × 40 mm digital dimensions apply.
What background colour is required for a Qatar eVisa photo?
Plain white required; off-white tolerated. Grey or blue backdrops risk rejection due to insufficient contrast. Background must be free of shadows, patterns, and objects.
What file format and maximum file size does the Qatar eVisa accept?
JPEG, JPG, or PNG up to 2 MB at 600 DPI minimum. Save in sRGB colour profile; CMYK causes colour inversion. PDF not consistently supported. Use alphanumeric filenames only.
How recent does my Qatar eVisa photo need to be?
Taken within the last 6 months and must reflect current appearance. Older photos are automatically rejected even if all other specifications are met.
Can I wear glasses in my Qatar eVisa photo?
Prescription glasses permitted only with thin, glare-free frames that do not cover eyes. Sunglasses, tinted lenses, and coloured contacts prohibited. If glare persists, remove glasses.
What happens if my Qatar eVisa photo is rejected, and can I re-upload?
Re-upload typically possible, but correction window not publicly specified. First rejection: 3-5 business days; repeated rejections: manual review (7-14 days). Extreme cases may require a new application and fee.
Can I take a selfie for my Qatar eVisa application?
No. Front-facing cameras cause wide-angle distortion (enlarged nose, narrowed ears) triggering biometric rejection. Use the rear camera with self-timer on a tripod, 1.5-2 metres away. Disable HDR, portrait mode, and flash.
Do babies and toddlers need to meet the same Qatar eVisa photo rules?
Infants under 1 year may have closed eyes; neutral expression not strictly enforced. Children over 1 must have open eyes and face camera. All ages: no pacifiers, toys, hats, or parent hands in frame.
Requirements are subject to change without notice. Always verify on the Qatar Ministry of Interior portal (moi.gov.qa) before submitting. This site is an informational resource for travellers and is not affiliated with the Qatari government.
