South African Visa Photo Online
35 × 45 mm · light grey background · Department of Home Affairs (DHA)
R 79,00 digital file
Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy
Rules last checked against Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on 12 October 2026.
About this photo
For a South African Visa photo, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) sets the print size at 35 x 45 mm. There is no upload step: the photo is handed in as a print with the paper application. Colour photo, not more than 1 month old. Home Affairs asks for professionally printed photos on a light grey or plain cream background and says photos printed at home are not likely to be accepted. Behind you: plain light grey or plain cream, lit evenly so no shadow falls on the face or the wall. Your head, chin to crown, should measure 29 to 34 mm on the print. We crop your picture to the South African Visa format, set the background and check the head size before you pay.
Photo requirements
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Background | light grey, also accepted: plain cream |
| Head size | 64–76% of the photo height (29–34 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses | Allowed. No dark-tinted lenses or heavy frames; frames must not cover the eyes; no flash reflection. |
| Head coverings | Allowed for religious reasons. Religious head coverings only; the face from chin to forehead and both edges of the face must show. |
| Head position | Facing the camera, tilted no more than 10° |
| Other rules | Colour photo, not more than 1 month old; Neutral expression, mouth closed; no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows; Face takes up 70-80% of the photograph; Alone in the photo, no toys; No shadows or red eye, natural skin colour; Printed professionally on high-quality photo paper |
Do
Don't
How it works
1. Take or upload a photo
Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.
2. We size and check it
We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.
3. Download and use it
Pay once, then download the digital file and the print sheet straight away.
If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.
Questions about South African Visa photos
What size is a South African Visa photo?
South African Visa photos are 35 × 45 mm. The head should fill 64–76% of the photo height (29–34 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).
What background does a South African Visa photo need?
A plain light grey background (plain cream is also accepted), with no shadows, patterns or objects. We replace the background for you, but a plain wall gives the cleanest edges around your hair.
Can I wear glasses in a South African Visa photo?
Yes. No dark-tinted lenses or heavy frames; frames must not cover the eyes; no flash reflection.
Can I smile in a South African Visa photo?
No. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and your eyes open.
Can I wear a head covering?
Allowed for religious reasons. Religious head coverings only; the face from chin to forehead and both edges of the face must show.
Can I take a South African Visa photo at home?
Usually, yes, as long as it meets the rules above. Check the instructions for your application route, because final acceptance is always decided by Department of Home Affairs (DHA). PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.
How much does a South African Visa photo cost in South Africa?
R 79,00 for the digital file, paid once. It includes a print-at-home sheet you can print at any photo shop.
What if something is wrong with my photo?
If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.
Official source: Department of Home Affairs (DHA)
Read the rules on the authority's website: Department of Home Affairs (DHA) (dirco.gov.za).
Rules last checked against Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on 12 October 2026.
Related pages
More photos in South Africa
- South Africa Passport photo · 35 × 45 mm
- South African Passport (Child) photo · 35 × 45 mm
- South African Permanent Residence photo · 35 × 45 mm
- Zimbabwean Passport photo · 35 × 45 mm