South African passport / visa photo requirements and size

To renew your South African passport or apply for a visa, you first need to produce photos consistent with the specific requirements.

What are the passport photo dimensions and requirements for South Africa?

Photo specifications

• Size of visa photo: 45mm x 35mm
• Photo Color: Must be in color
• Head size and position: Entire face, centered
• Background: White Background
• Smile: Neutral
• Eyes: Open
• Glasses: You can use your daily reading glasses, no sunglasses
• Headgear: No
• Quantity needed: Two (2) photographs

South Africa passport photo size requirements guide

The South African passport and visa photo requirements, rules, guidelines, and specifications

Make sure you meet all these guidelines when taking a photo.

• Your photo, in order to be accepted, needs to have a white background
• You should look straight into the camera
• Size specs: 35mm x 45mm
• Must be a photo that was taken no longer than 6 months ago
• Do not wear anything that will cover your face
• If you use reading glasses, then you should take extra care to avoid lens glares
• Submit two (2) pics

Rules and requirements for babies, infants, and newborns

A South African passport application is the same for all who apply, no matter their age. If you need to take a photo of your baby, then you can simply follow these easy tips to ensure you take the highest quality photo possible.

• The baby's eyes have to be open. Mothers who have experience recommend you to take photos only after your baby has rested so that they will be happier and more awake.
• The background has to be white, so use a white bed sheet or white sheets of paper.
• If your baby is very young then you can lay him/her in their car seat and take the passport photo there.
• Always try to take as many photos as possible so that you have a lot to choose from.

Ready to travel? Check what visa you need and apply with us!