South Africa passport photo size & requirements
South African passport photos are 35 x 45 mm with a plain white or light-grey background and a face height of 32–36 mm.
South Africa issues its biometric Smart ID Card and the green-bar passport through the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Passport photos follow the ICAO biometric standard — 35 x 45 mm with the face filling 70–80% of the frame. South Africa has rolled out a network of Home Affairs offices with live-capture equipment that takes biometric photos on-site for new Smart ID Card and passport applications. For new applications made in person at a DHA office, you typically do not bring your own photos — the live-capture system photographs you there.
However, South African citizens renewing passports or applying from abroad — through South African embassies and high commissions — still need to provide printed photos. Additionally, the DHA accepts an online e-Home Affairs service for certain renewals where a digital photo upload is required. South Africa also has the Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) and Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) application processes managed by VFS Global on behalf of the DHA, where applicants must bring compliant photos to the application appointment.
- Photo size
- 35 x 45 mm
- Resolution
- 300 DPI
- Head height
- Face from chin to crown about 32–36 mm
- Background
- Plain white or light grey
South Africa passport photo requirements
- Photo must be 35 x 45 mm.
- Plain white or light-grey background with the subject well separated from it.
- Neutral expression, eyes open, looking directly at the camera.
- Face the camera squarely with both edges of the face visible.
- No tinted glasses; clear glasses must not obscure the eyes.
- Recent photo taken within the last six months.
Common reasons South Africa passport photos get rejected
Even a technically correct photo can be turned away for these issues. They come up repeatedly in official rejection notices.
- Photo not printed on glossy photographic paper — DHA and VFS Global offices in South Africa and at embassies specifically require photo-quality paper.
- Background that is not uniformly plain white or light grey — any shadow, texture, or colour in the background results in rejection.
- Head height outside the 32–36 mm range — South African DHA officers check proportions visually, and a face that is too small in the frame is returned.
- Photo more than six months old — DHA specifically requires a recent photo that reflects current appearance.
- Glasses with tinted or coloured lenses.
- Photo showing the applicant in a uniform, which is specifically prohibited in South African passport requirements.
Make your South Africa passport photo
Use our free passport size photo maker — select South Africa from the country list and it will automatically apply the correct size (35 x 45 mm) and background settings for you.
Crop, remove background, and download a compliant South Africa passport photo — free, no signup, no watermark.
Select South Africa in the tool to get the exact 35 x 45 mm preset.
Other countries
United States 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) 
Albania 35 x 45 mm 
Australia 35 x 45 mm 
Brazil 3 x 4 cm (30 x 40 mm); US visa applications use 2 x 2 in 
Canada 50 x 70 mm 
China 33 x 48 mm 
France 35 x 45 mm 
Germany 35 x 45 mm 
Iceland 35 x 45 mm 
India 35 x 45 mm (Indian visa & many applications use 51 x 51 mm / 2 x 2 in) 
Ireland 35 x 45 mm 
Italy 35 x 45 mm 
Japan 35 x 45 mm 
Luxembourg 35 x 45 mm 
Malaysia 35 x 50 mm 
Netherlands 35 x 45 mm 
New Zealand 35 x 45 mm 
Nigeria 35 x 45 mm 
Norway 35 x 45 mm 
Pakistan 35 x 45 mm 
Philippines 35 x 45 mm (Philippine visa applications often use 2 x 2 in) 
Russia 35 x 45 mm 
Saudi Arabia 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) 
Schengen / EU 35 x 45 mm 
Singapore 35 x 45 mm 
South Korea 35 x 45 mm 
Spain 32 x 26 mm (Spanish ID/passport); EU visas use 35 x 45 mm 
Switzerland 35 x 45 mm 
Thailand 35 x 45 mm 
Turkey 50 x 60 mm 
United Arab Emirates 43 x 55 mm 
United Kingdom 35 x 45 mm 
Vietnam 4 x 6 cm (40 x 60 mm)