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South Africa Passport Photo: 35x45 mm and White Background

A South African passport photo is 35x45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) with the head 29-34 mm tall on a white background. A paper photo is needed only abroad or at offices without live capture, since DHA offices photograph you on site.

  • 35×45 mm
  • Plain light colour
  • Rules checked October 5, 2026
  1. Document
  2. Photo
  3. Check
  4. Download

Make your South Africa Passport photo

35×45 mm · background: plain light colour

Upload a photo of yourself

JPG, PNG, WEBP or HEIC. Drag it here or choose a file.

  • Face the camera, keep your head straight and your mouth closed.
  • Stand about 1 m from a plain wall in soft, even light. No shadows on the face.
  • Ask someone else to take it from eye level. Shoulders should be visible.
  • Remove glasses, hats and hair from the face. Religious head coverings are allowed if the face is fully visible.
  • For a baby, lay them on a plain white sheet and photograph from straight above.

How to take a passport photo with your phone

Your photo is processed on this device and is never uploaded to our servers.

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Take a photo

Fit your face inside the oval. Better: ask someone to take the photo with the back camera.

South Africa Passport photo requirements

Official rules summarised. Source: DIRCO - South African Embassy Tokyo civic services; Western Cape Gov passport page. Official page

Photo size
35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
Resolution
300 DPI
Head height (chin to crown)
29–34 mm
Background
Plain light colour
Glasses
Not allowed
Expression
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Head covering
Only for religious reasons, face fully visible
Submission
Printed photo

Paper photos (35x45 mm, head-to-chin 29-34 mm, white background) are needed only abroad or at offices without live capture; DHA live-capture offices and banks photograph applicants on site. Copies: 2 domestically, 4 at some missions; the glasses rule is from secondary sources (glasses are usually removed). DHA spec PDF: photo no older than 1 month, 2 photos for a passport.

Correct and incorrect examples

  • CorrectCentred, neutral, even light

  • Too closeHead fills the frame

  • Head tiltedKeep your head level

  • ShadowsLight from one side

  • GlassesReflections hide the eyes

  • SmilingMouth must be closed

  • Hair over the eyesEyes and eyebrows must be visible

  • Busy backgroundUse a plain, light wall

South African passport photo rules in plain words

According to DIRCO civic services and the Western Cape Government passport page, the printed photo is 35x45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) at 300 DPI on a white background. The head, from chin to crown, measures 29-34 mm.

  • Glasses: not allowed; this comes from secondary sources, since glasses are usually removed.
  • Head covering: religious only, with the face fully visible.
  • Copies: 2 for domestic applications and 4 at some missions.

When you need a paper photo

Home Affairs (DHA) live-capture offices and banks photograph applicants on site, so you do not bring a photo there. A paper photo is needed only abroad, for example at an embassy, or at offices without live capture. Check with the office you will use, and confirm how many copies it asks for before you print.

How to take the photo at home with a phone

Stand in front of a plain white wall, with soft window light on your face. Hold the phone at eye height, look straight into the lens and keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Make sure your whole head and your shoulders are visible.

  • Take off your glasses.
  • Stand a little away from the wall so your head casts no shadow.
  • Do not use filters, flash or beauty modes.

IDPhotoly processes the image in your browser without uploading it, crops it to 35x45 mm, replaces the background with white and checks the head size against the 29-34 mm range.

Common reasons for rejection

  • Head outside 29-34 mm. This range is specific to South Africa and is smaller than in some other countries.
  • Coloured or grey background. A white background is required.
  • Glasses on. Glasses are usually removed.
  • Too few copies. Domestic applications need 2 photos and some missions ask for 4.
  • Low-quality print. A blurry print on plain paper is hard to verify.

Printing the photo

This is a printed-photo document. Download the file and print the number of copies your office requires at 35x45 mm and 300 DPI on photo paper. Payment is one-time, and you receive a full refund if an authority rejects the photo.

Tips for a clean result

Keep your chin level and your shoulders square to the camera. Use the checked file for printing rather than resizing it again.

Check before you print

Since most domestic offices capture your photo live, the main use of a paper photo is for applications made abroad. Ask the mission how many copies it needs, as some request 4, and whether it has any local preference on print finish. Print an extra copy if you want a spare.

Helpful guides

All guides

Frequently asked questions

What size is a South African passport photo?

It is 35x45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in), with the head measuring 29-34 mm from chin to crown.

Do I need to bring a photo to a DHA office?

Not at live-capture offices or banks, which photograph you on site. A paper photo is needed abroad or at offices without live capture.

How many copies do I need?

Domestic applications need 2 photos, and some missions ask for 4.

What background is required?

A white background.

Can I wear glasses?

Glasses are usually removed. That rule comes from secondary sources, so remove them to be safe.

Related photo requirements

Same size: 35×45 mm

Page updated October 5, 2026. Requirements can change. Always check the official page before you apply.