South African passport photo requirements
Recent photo, neutral expression, eyes open, even lighting; follow the issuing authority.
af · English
Upload & process
Choose a photo from your device. Processing starts right on this page.
Examples
Requirements
- Physical: 35mm × 45mm
- Digital: 413–413px × 531–531px
- Max file size: 2048 KB
- Background: #f0f0eb
South African passport photo maker online — common questions
What is the official South African passport photo maker online size?
The official South African passport photo maker online 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 photo maker online?
South African passport photo maker online 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 maker online 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 maker online 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 photo maker online at CVS, Walgreens, or another pharmacy?
Yes. We generate a 4x6 print sheet with 8 photos that any pharmacy or photo kiosk can print.
Common reasons South African passport photo maker online 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
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)
Last reviewed: