Algeria Passport Photo

Algeria Passport Photo -- DGSN Biometric Standards

Algeria issues biometric passports through the Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN -- الأمن الوطني / General Directorate of National Security), the national police authority operating under the Ministry of Interior and Local Authorities (Ministere de l'Interieur et des Collectivites Locales / وزارة الداخلية والجماعات المحلية). Algeria was among the first North African nations to adopt biometric passports, launching the program in 2015 to replace the older machine-readable format. The transition was driven partly by EU pressure -- as a major source country for Schengen visa applicants, Algeria needed biometric-compliant travel documents to maintain streamlined consular processing. Approximately 3 million Algerians hold passports, and the DGSN reports that photo non-compliance is responsible for a significant share of first-visit application delays at daira (district) offices across the country.

The online pre-application portal is accessible at passeport.interieur.gov.dz. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres / وزارة الشؤون الخارجية) oversees consular passport services for Algerians abroad. Applications are filed in person at the commune (baladiya / بلدية) level, with biometric enrollment handled by DGSN personnel on-site.

Technical Photo Specifications

Dimensions and resolution:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height from chin to top of skull: 32-36 mm
• Face centered in the frame with 2-3 mm space above the crown
• Both ears visible whenever the hairstyle allows

Background:

• Plain white, strictly uniform
• No shadows cast by the subject on the background
• No gradient, texture, or tonal variation across the photo area
• Light blue backgrounds, which were accepted under the old non-biometric system, are no longer valid

Expression and positioning:

• Neutral expression, mouth closed, no teeth visible
• Both eyes open and looking directly into the camera
• Head perfectly upright -- no tilt, no rotation, no profile angle
• Shoulders minimally visible and level at the bottom of the frame

Print requirements:

• High-quality photo paper -- matte or semi-gloss
• Colour print, no black-and-white or sepia
• Sharp focus throughout the face area
• No retouching or digital alteration of facial features
• Clean edges at the 35x45mm dimensions

Algeria-Specific Rules

Hijab and head coverings: Algeria's passport rules reflect the country's predominantly Muslim population. Women may wear hijab in their passport photos provided that the entire face -- from the hairline or forehead (where the hijab meets the skin) to the bottom of the chin, and from cheek to cheek -- remains fully visible. The hijab must not cast shadow on the face, and the fabric should be a solid colour that does not blend with the white background. White or very light-coloured hijab can cause the head to merge with the background, leading to rejection -- darker or medium-toned fabrics provide better contrast and are strongly recommended.

Glasses: The DGSN prohibits glasses in biometric passport photos. No prescription glasses, no sunglasses, no cosmetic frames. This represents a change from the older non-biometric system, which permitted clear prescription glasses. Applicants transitioning from old passports are often caught off guard by this rule.

Expression strictness: Algeria enforces the neutral-expression requirement with particular rigidity. Any upward lip movement, cheek raising, or squinting -- even subtle -- is flagged. The biometric enrollment stations at communes include automated photo verification that checks symmetry and expression neutrality before accepting the image into the system.

Photo age: Must be taken within six months of application. The DGSN compares the photo against the applicant's national ID card (carte nationale d'identite / بطاقة التعريف الوطنية) biometric record. Outdated photos that do not match the current appearance are rejected.

Number of photos: Eight identical photos are required per application -- the highest count of any major North African country. This reflects the multi-layer bureaucratic process where copies are retained at commune, daira, and wilaya administrative levels.

Clothing: Civilian attire only. Military uniforms (ANP -- Armee Nationale Populaire), gendarmerie uniforms, and police attire are prohibited. Dark clothing provides better contrast against the white background.

Digital retouching: The DGSN's biometric verification system detects digitally altered photographs. Skin smoothing, blemish removal, facial reshaping, and filter effects all produce images that fail the automated comparison against the applicant's existing national ID biometric record. The photo must represent the applicant's natural, unmodified appearance. Studios calibrated for Algerian biometric requirements understand this and will adjust only lighting and exposure.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Algeria

Photo studios in Algiers (Photographe d'identite / مصور فوتوغرافي): Studios concentrated along Rue Didouche Mourad, Rue Larbi Ben M'hidi, and near the Place des Martyrs in central Algiers produce passport-compliant photos for 200-500 DZD (Algerian dinars) per set of eight prints. Studios near APC (commune) offices and the main DGSN headquarters in Bab El Oued are accustomed to biometric requirements and will frame the photo correctly. Specify "photos d'identite biometriques" or "صور بيومترية" to confirm the correct format.

Studios in Oran, Constantine, and Annaba: Major cities outside Algiers have established photo studios near their respective commune and daira offices. Pricing is comparable or slightly lower than Algiers -- 150-400 DZD for eight prints. In Constantine, studios near the Place du 1er Novembre are the most frequented for passport work. In Oran, studios near the prefecture on Boulevard de la Soummam handle a steady volume of applicants.

Small-town studios and itinerant photographers: In smaller towns and rural communes across Algeria, local photographers operate from home studios or market stalls. Pricing can be as low as 100-250 DZD. Quality varies -- verify the background is pure white (not the light blue some older studios still use from the pre-biometric era) and that the head size meets the biometric minimum. If the commune's automated verification system rejects the photo, you will need to reshoot entirely.

Self-service photo booths: Major post offices (Algerie Poste / بريد الجزائر) and some administrative buildings in larger cities have automated photo booths. These cost approximately 200-300 DZD and produce a sheet of biometric-format photos. The booths include on-screen positioning guides. Results are generally compliant, though the lighting may be harsher than a professional studio setup.

DIY at home: In areas without access to studios or booths, hang a clean white sheet against a wall and photograph in natural light from a front-facing window. Use a smartphone rear camera from approximately 1.5 metres. Crop to 35x45mm using an online passport photo tool, verify head sizing, and print eight copies on photo paper at the nearest available facility. Do not use the old light blue backdrop -- only white is accepted for the biometric system.

Algerians abroad: Citizens applying at consulates in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Brussels, Montreal, or other cities can use any local studio producing 35x45mm biometric photos with a white background. French "photographe d'identite" studios produce EU-standard photos that are compatible with Algerian requirements. Consulates in France handle the largest volume of diaspora applications.

Baby and Child Passport Photos

All Algerian citizens require individual biometric passports, including newborns:

Infants under 12 months: The baby must be photographed alone against a white surface. Lay the infant face-up on a clean white sheet and photograph from above. Eyes do not need to be open for very young newborns, though the DGSN prefers them open when possible. No pacifiers, toys, blankets other than the white background, or clothing accessories that cover the face. Parent's hands must not appear in the frame.

Children aged 1 to 5: Both eyes open, looking toward the camera, with a neutral expression. Practical tolerance is applied for toddlers who cannot fully control facial muscles. The white background, 35x45mm dimensions, and head-height standards must match adult requirements. Eight photos are required -- the same count as for adults. Many commune offices have staff accustomed to photographing young children.

Children aged 6 and above: Full adult specifications apply without modification. Eight identical photos are required, same as for adult applicants.

Passport validity for children: Algerian biometric passports for minors are typically valid for 5 years. Adults receive 10-year passports. The shorter validity for children means more frequent renewal and more frequent photo sessions. Always take fresh photos for each renewal -- leftover prints from a previous session likely exceed the six-month recency window.

Common Rejection Reasons

DGSN commune offices and Algerian photo studios report these as the most common grounds for rejection:

1. Light blue background -- Studios still using the old pre-biometric blue backdrop produce photos that the automated verification system immediately rejects. This is the most common error in Algeria specifically
2. Glasses worn -- The biometric-era prohibition on glasses catches applicants who were permitted to wear them under the previous non-biometric system
3. Hijab shadow on face -- Poorly lit photos where the hijab casts a shadow band across the forehead or cheeks fail the uniformity check
4. White hijab blending with background -- Light-coloured head coverings merge with the white background, eliminating the head contour that biometric systems need for facial boundary detection
5. Insufficient number of photos -- Providing fewer than eight prints delays processing at the commune, daira, and wilaya levels
6. Expression not neutral -- The automated system detects even subtle smiling, lip movement, or squinting and rejects the image before a human reviewer sees it

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Algeria require eight passport photos? A: Algeria's multi-tiered administrative system retains copies at the commune (baladiya), district (daira), and provincial (wilaya) levels. Eight photos ensure each stage of the pipeline has the required copies without creating bottlenecks.

Q: Can women wear hijab in Algerian passport photos? A: Yes. Hijab is permitted as a religious head covering. The full face must be visible, the hijab must not cast shadows, and the fabric should contrast with the white background. Avoid white or very light-coloured hijab, which blends with the background and causes rejection.

Q: Are glasses allowed in the biometric passport photo? A: No. Algeria prohibits all glasses in biometric passport photos, including clear prescription lenses. This changed when the biometric system was introduced in 2015. Applicants renewing older passports often miss this rule.

Q: Can I still use a light blue background? A: No. The blue background was accepted under the old non-biometric passport system but is rejected by the biometric verification system. Only plain white is accepted for current applications.

Q: Where do I apply for an Algerian passport? A: At the APC (commune / بلدية) office corresponding to your place of residence. Biometric enrollment is performed on-site by DGSN personnel. Algerians abroad apply at their nearest consulate.

Q: How long does processing take? A: The DGSN targets delivery within 15-25 days of a complete application. Incomplete applications -- especially those with non-compliant photos -- restart the clock entirely. Submit correctly on the first visit to avoid delays.