South African Passport Photo: Captured Live at Home Affairs; 35 × 45 mm Prints Abroad
Inside South Africa, Home Affairs offices with live capture (Smart ID card offices), participating banks and eHomeAffairs take your photo digitally, so you bring none. At a South African mission abroad you bring printed colour photos, 35 × 45 mm: the High Commissions in London and Canberra ask for professionally taken photos, and the Embassy in Copenhagen recommends a professional photo service. The number differs: 2 in Copenhagen, 4 in Canberra, 6 in London for a first ID and passport. Source: dha.gov.za, checked 5 Oct 2026.
South Africa Passport photo rules at a glance
The South Africa Passport photo is 35 × 45 mm; Home Affairs captures it live, and missions abroad ask for professionally taken prints.
Who makes the photo
Home Affairs captures it live, and missions abroad ask for professionally taken prints.
Size (official rule)
Print only (35 × 45 mm, where printed photos are needed)
In other units (a conversion)
35 × 45 mm · 3.5 × 4.5 cm · 1.38 × 1.77 in · 413 × 531 px at 300 DPI · 827 × 1063 px at 600 DPI · ratio 7:9
File size
No file for you to upload
Background
Light grey or plain cream
Head size
64% to 76% of the photo height, chin to top of head
No. Inside South Africa, Home Affairs offices with live capture (Smart ID card offices), participating banks and eHomeAffairs take your photo digitally, so you bring none. At a South African mission abroad you bring printed colour photos, 35 × 45 mm: the High Commissions in London and Canberra ask for professionally taken photos, and the Embassy in Copenhagen recommends a professional photo service. The number differs: 2 in Copenhagen, 4 in Canberra, 6 in London for a first ID and passport.
What is the South Africa Passport photo size in cm, inches and pixels?
The South Africa Passport photo is 35 × 45 mm; Home Affairs captures it live, and missions abroad ask for professionally taken prints. 35 × 45 mm is 3.5 × 4.5 cm or 1.38 × 1.77 inches, in a 7:9 shape. Printed at 300 DPI it is 413 × 531 pixels, and at 600 DPI 827 × 1063 pixels. These are conversions of the official size, not extra rules.
What are the South Africa Passport photo rules?
35 × 45 mm, background: light grey or plain cream, head 64% to 76% of the photo height. Printed photos: identical colour photos not more than 1 month old, 35 mm wide × 45 mm high, head 29–34 mm with the face 70–80% of the photo. Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible. No dark-tinted lenses or heavy frames over the eyes. Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the face visible from chin to forehead. Home Affairs warns that photos printed at home are unlikely to be good enough.
Can I wear glasses in my South Africa Passport photo?
The official rules say: No dark-tinted lenses or heavy frames over the eyes.