South Africa passport photo size
A South African passport photo is 35 × 45 mm in colour with the face 29–34 mm tall, 70–80% of the photograph, on a light grey or plain cream background, not more than one month old. Offices with live capture need no photo; others take two professionally printed photos. Export a print or a sheet.
- Document
- Passport and ID
- Photo size
- 35 × 45 mm
- Chin to crown
- 29–34 mm
- Background
- Light grey or plain cream
- Photo age
- Not more than 1 month old
- Print export
- 413 × 531 px at 300 ppi, 8 copies per 4 × 6 in sheet
The face takes up 70–80% of the photograph.
Offices with live capture need no photo; others take two professionally printed photos. Home Affairs says to confirm with your office.
Two identical colour prints for passports (colour or black and white for IDs), printed professionally on high-quality photo paper; home-printed photos are not likely to be of an acceptable quality.
Place the crown and chin at the guide lines and the eyes in the band when one is shown. The oval is an approximate placement guide, not a face measurement or approval check.
This authority publishes no head height: keep the face centred with space above the head and the shoulders visible.
South African passport photo dimensions
The Department of Home Affairs template shows the face at least 29 mm and no more than 34 mm high on the 45 mm print, taking up 70–80% of the photograph. Two identical colour photos for passports; colour or black and white for IDs.
Live capture or prints
Photos are not needed at Home Affairs offices where the process is automated and images are captured digitally; Home Affairs says to confirm with your office. Elsewhere the photos must be printed professionally on high-quality photo paper, since home-printed photos are not likely to be of an acceptable quality; a lab print of the 4 × 6 in sheet fits.
Lighting and framing
Uniform lighting with no shadows or flash reflections on the face, no red-eye, natural colour, both edges of the face visible, and you alone in the picture: no chair backs, toys or other people. No ink marks, creases or damage.
Glasses, head coverings and expression
Glasses must show the eyes clearly with no flash reflection, no dark tints or heavy frames, and frames must not cover any part of the eyes. Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the face from chin to forehead and both edges clearly shown. Neutral expression with the mouth closed, no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows.
How to take a valid photo
The shared ICAO points first, then what this authority adds.
- Have someone else take the photo at eye level from a few steps away; most authorities reject selfies.
- Face the camera straight on with your head level, both eyes open, mouth closed and a neutral expression.
- Light the face evenly: no shadows on the face or the background, no flash reflections, no red-eye.
- Keep the photo as taken: no filters, retouching, background replacement or AI edits.
- Only you in the frame, nothing covering the face, hair away from the eyes, no uniform.
- Leave space around the head and shoulders so the crop can follow the guide.
- Glasses must show the eyes clearly with no flash reflection; no dark tints or heavy frames, and frames must not cover any part of the eyes.
- Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the face from chin to forehead and both edges clearly shown.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows.
- Uniform lighting, no shadows or red-eye, natural colour, only you in the picture: no chair backs, toys or other people.
Official sources
Requirements checked on 27 October 2026 against the official pages below. The issuing authority makes the acceptance decision; nothing on this page certifies a photo.
To compare formats, see passport photo sizes by country.
Related free photo tools
- Free toolPassport photo size by countryCompare passport photo sizes and official application rules for 40 countries. Align a private head guide; export prints, 4 × 6 in sheets and upload files where the authority allows it.
- Free toolSouth Korea passport photo sizeKorean passport photos are 35 × 45 mm with the head 32–36 mm on uniform white, or 413 × 531 px JPG under 500 KB for online renewal. Crop a print or the upload with a head guide.
- Free toolSpain passport photo sizeSpanish passport and DNI photos measure 26 × 32 mm, smaller than the European 35 × 45 mm, in colour on plain white. Crop a print or a 4 × 6 in sheet at the right size.
- Free toolSweden passport photoSwedish passport and national ID photos are taken at the police passport office; own photos are not accepted on paper or digitally. There is nothing to crop; read how the visit works.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a South African passport photo?
35 × 45 mm with the face 29–34 mm, 70–80% of the photograph.
How recent must the photo be?
Not more than one month old.
Can I print the photo at home?
Home Affairs says home-printed photos are not likely to be of an acceptable quality; use professional printing on high-quality photo paper.
Do I need photos at all?
Not at offices with live capture. Confirm with your Home Affairs office.