South African passport
South Africa
Create compliant 35×45 mm colour photos with correct background and framing.
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af · English
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Example photo guidance
South African passport — key specifications
At-a-glance summary of the official South Africa photo template. Every value below is enforced automatically when you upload your image.
| Physical size | 35 mm × 45 mm (1.38 in × 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 413 × 531 px (300 DPI) |
| Background | #f0f0eb |
| Max file size | 2048 KB (JPEG) |
| Head coverage | 70–80% of photo height (ICAO-aligned) |
| Print sheet | 4x6 · 8 |
Requirements
Check dimensions and official rules on this page.
- Physical: 35mm × 45mm
- Digital: 413–413px × 531–531px
- Max file size: 2048 KB
Recent photo, neutral expression, eyes open, even lighting; follow the issuing authority.
Issuing authority and ICAO Doc 9303 alignment
Most countries adopt ICAO Doc 9303 Part 4 as the baseline biometric-portrait standard. The spec on this page reflects the country's published implementation, including any country-specific overrides on size, background colour, or face-coverage band.
Why use this South African passport tool
- $3.99Final photo + 4×6 print sheet. No subscription. Studios typically charge $15 – $30 for the same output.
- Free previewYou only pay once a watermarked preview confirms the crop, background, and biometric framing meet the spec.
- Refund if non-compliantIf our output fails the issuing-authority checklist, we refund — see our refund policy.
Common reasons South African passport photos are rejected
Issuing authorities reject submissions that miss any of the items below. Our tool automatically corrects crop, background, and dimensions, but you still control the original capture — review this list before you upload.
- wrong_size_or_head_not_29_to_34mm
- background_not_light_grey_or_cream
- shadows_red_eye_or_poor_print
- expression_not_neutral
- photo_older_than_one_month_where_required
South African passport — common questions
What is the official South African passport size?
The official South African passport size is 35 mm × 45 mm (1.38 in × 1.77 in). For digital uploads it equals 413 × 531 px at 300 DPI.
What background color is required for a South African passport?
South African passport photos must be taken on a #f0f0eb background, evenly lit and free of shadows or patterns.
How big should the face appear in a South African passport photo?
The head should fill approximately 70–80% of the photo height, with eyes positioned in the upper-middle of the frame and a neutral expression looking straight at the camera.
Can I take a South African passport photo at home?
Yes. Use a recent phone photo against a plain wall, with even daylight and no glasses. Our tool then crops, recolors the background, and resizes to the official 35 mm × 45 mm template.
Can I print the South African passport at CVS, Walgreens, or another pharmacy?
Yes. We generate a 4x6 print sheet with 8 photos that any pharmacy or photo kiosk can print.
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Where we sourced these South Africa specifications
Dimensions, background colour, and biometric framing on this page are compiled from the references below. Always reconfirm the latest guidance directly with the issuing authority before submitting an application.
- dha.gov.za (Department of Home Affairs — Passport & ID Photograph Specifications; mirrored PDF on sahc.org.au/pdf/dha/Passport_Photo_Requirements.pdf)
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Other countries' passport & visa photo rules
Photo dimensions and background rules vary by issuing authority. Compare nearby countries you may also be applying to.