Malaysia eVISA photo rules explained
The requirements come from the MyVISA portal photo check and the IMI ESD photo requirements. The photo is 35x50 mm (1.38 x 1.97 in), or 413x591 px at 300 DPI, as a JPG. This is taller than the usual 35x45 mm format.
- Head size: 30-35 mm from chin to crown.
- Margins: the top margin is about 5 mm, and the chin margin is 5-10 mm.
- Background: plain white. The VDR category accepts white or blue.
- Glasses: not allowed.
- Head covering: religious reasons only, with the face fully visible.
- File size: up to 2 MB on the portal.
Two upload limits to know
The main portal accepts up to 2 MB with a white background. VDR or reference-visa uploads are stricter, at a maximum of 25 KB, with a white or blue background. Check which one your application uses before you download the file.
How to take it at home with a phone
Stand facing a plain white wall in soft, even light, and take off your glasses. Hold the phone at eye level, or ask someone to take it. Look straight ahead with a neutral face and keep your hair away from your eyes.
Leave extra space above the head, since the format is taller than usual. The tool crops the picture to 35x50 mm.
Processing
The photo is processed in your browser and never uploaded. It is cropped, the background is replaced with white and the head size and margins are checked.
Common reasons for rejection
- A non-white background, or a visible shadow.
- Glasses worn in the picture.
- A head outside the 30-35 mm range.
- A top margin or chin margin far from the 5 mm and 5-10 mm values.
- A file over 2 MB on the portal, or over 25 KB for a VDR upload.
- Using a 35x45 mm crop.
Uploading
This is a digital upload. Download the JPG and attach it on the MyVISA portal, using the portal's photo check if it is available. No print is needed.
If an authority rejects the photo, you get a full refund.
Last checks before you upload
Open the downloaded JPG and look at the margins: there should be a small gap above the head of about 5 mm and a slightly larger gap under the chin. Check that the white background is even from corner to corner and that your eyes are clearly open. If the application form you are completing is the VDR category, use the smaller file option, since that route has a much lower size limit than the main portal.