What size is a South African passport photo?

South African passport photos must be 35mm wide by 45mm tall with a white or light grey plain background.

Can I use this for a South African visa application?

Yes. South African visa applications use the same 35×45mm biometric standard.

What is the DHA photo requirement?

The Department of Home Affairs requires a 35×45mm photo with a plain, uniform background and neutral expression.

Can I wear glasses in a South African passport photo?

No. The Department of Home Affairs requires no glasses, sunglasses, or tinted lenses in passport photos, in line with ICAO biometric standards adopted by South Africa.

Can I use this photo for a South African visa application?

Yes. South African visa applications use the same 35×45mm biometric standard with a white or light grey background.

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ID Photo Tool

Make Your South African Passport Photo the Right Size

South African passport photos must be 35×45mm with a white or light grey background, as required by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). This free tool crops and resizes your photo to DHA biometric standards — on your device.

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Select photo size

Unit

35×45 mm, white or light grey background

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Width (mm)

Height (mm)

DPI

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Photo Requirements

Size: 35×45mm
Resolution: 300 DPI minimum
Background: plain white or light grey
Full face, neutral expression, eyes open
No glasses or tinted lenses
Photo taken within the last 6 months

Official requirements: https://www.dha.gov.za/ ↗

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Prepare Your Photo in 3 Steps

Upload Your Photo

Upload any photo — we'll detect your face automatically.

Adjust in One Tap (or Fine-Tune)

Use Auto Ready to quickly centre, align, crop, and clean the background. Prefer more control? Adjust everything yourself anytime.

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Download your photo for online use, or arrange it on a sheet for easy printing.

How to Use This Tool

Upload a front-facing photo with good lighting.
Zoom and move in until the face oval guide aligns with your face.
Click Center Face to auto-position the crop, then Straighten to level your eyes.
Make final adjustments — drag the image and fine-tune the tilt if needed.
Click Apply, then optionally Remove Background for a clean white backdrop.
Download your DHA-compliant photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is a South African passport photo?: South African passport photos must be 35mm wide by 45mm tall with a white or light grey plain background.
Can I use this for a South African visa application?: Yes. South African visa applications use the same 35×45mm biometric standard.
What is the DHA photo requirement?: The Department of Home Affairs requires a 35×45mm photo with a plain, uniform background and neutral expression.
Can I wear glasses in a South African passport photo?: No. The Department of Home Affairs requires no glasses, sunglasses, or tinted lenses in passport photos, in line with ICAO biometric standards adopted by South Africa.
Can I use this photo for a South African visa application?: Yes. South African visa applications use the same 35×45mm biometric standard with a white or light grey background.

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