Photo Requirements
South African Passport Photo Requirements
Official DHA specifications for passport and Smart ID card photographs. Getting your photos right the first time avoids delays and rejection at the embassy.
Photo Specifications
| Size | 35mm x 45mm (standard passport size) |
| Background | Plain white background only |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Quantity | 2 identical photos |
| Colour | Full colour (not black and white) |
| Print quality | High-resolution, sharp focus, no pixelation |
| Paper | Printed on photo-quality paper |
| Face coverage | Face must take up 70-80% of the frame |
| Head position | Straight, facing the camera, both ears visible |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed |
| Eyes | Open and clearly visible, looking straight at camera |
| Glasses | No glasses (including prescription glasses) |
| Headwear | None, except for religious reasons (face must still be fully visible) |
| Lighting | Even lighting, no shadows on face or background |
Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Use a professional photo service familiar with passport specs
- Ensure even lighting with no shadows
- Face the camera directly with neutral expression
- Have photos printed on proper photo paper
- Remove glasses, hats, and accessories
- Ensure both ears are visible
Don't
- Use selfies or phone photos
- Wear sunglasses or tinted lenses
- Smile or show teeth
- Use a coloured or patterned background
- Submit old photos (must be within 6 months)
- Print on regular paper
Baby and Child Photo Tips
- Babies can be photographed lying on a white sheet or blanket
- The child's eyes must be open and looking at the camera
- No pacifiers, toys, or other objects in the photo
- No other people (including parents' hands) should be visible
- The child should not be wearing a hat or hair accessories
- For infants, slight variations in expression are acceptable
Where to Get Photos Taken Abroad
- Photo shops/studios: Most professional photo studios worldwide can take passport photos to SA specifications. Tell them you need a 35mm x 45mm photo with white background.
- Pharmacies: Many pharmacy chains (Boots, CVS, Walgreens) offer passport photo services. Specify the SA requirements.
- Photo booths: Some automated photo booths at train stations and shopping centres offer passport photos -- check if they meet the white background requirement.
- At the embassy: Some SA embassies and VFS Global centres offer photo services on-site.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the current DHA requirements state that no glasses should be worn in passport or Smart ID card photos. This includes prescription glasses. This is to ensure accurate biometric facial recognition.
At missions with Live Capture, your photo is taken digitally on-site. For manual applications, you need two printed photos meeting the specifications above. Digital-only submissions are generally not accepted at embassies unless specifically requested.