South Africa passport photo size
The DHA's official 35×45 mm spec — with the background and recency rules photo sites get wrong — one tap, on your device.
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South Africa's official spec holds surprises that photo sites routinely get wrong: the DHA's photograph specifications want two identical colour photos at 35×45 mm — on a light grey or plain cream background, not white — taken no more than one month before applying, with the head 29 to 34 mm from chin to crown and the face filling 70–80% of the frame. Black-and-white is accepted for IDs (not passports), and the DHA itself warns that home-printed photos are unlikely to be acceptable — print the preset's file professionally, twice. Smart ID offices and eHomeAffairs bank branches skip all of this by capturing your photo digitally, so confirm your office's route before paying for prints.
Visas flip the rules: VFS checklists want two 35×45 mm photos on a white or clear background, up to twelve months old — nearly the opposite of the domestic spec, which is exactly the kind of split that gets applications bounced. Driving licences ask for four black-and-white 35×45 prints, but every official page says phone your DLTC first since many now capture digitally. The e-Visa publishes no photo spec, and the new biometric ETA replacing it works on a live selfie, not an upload. Glasses are permitted with untinted lenses and no heavy frames; head coverings only for religious reasons with the full face visible. This tool resizes exactly and does nothing else — on your device, with nothing uploaded anywhere.
How it works
- Drop your file
Any common format, any size. Nothing is uploaded — the tool runs in your browser.
- Choose quality or size
Pick a quality preset, set an exact KB target, or switch the output format — tuned for south africa passport photo size.
- Download
Your converted file is ready on your device — nothing to wait for, nothing to delete from a server.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a South African ID or passport photo?
35×45 mm, two identical photos, head 29 to 34 mm from chin to crown — on a light grey or plain cream background per the DHA's own flyer, not the white that photo sites claim — and taken within the last month. Colour is mandatory for passports; black-and-white is allowed for IDs. Smart ID offices and bank branches capture the photo digitally instead, so ask first.
What photos does a South African visa application need?
Two 35×45 mm colour photos — but on a white or clear background and up to twelve months old per VFS checklists, almost the opposite of the domestic passport rules. Follow the checklist of the VFS centre or mission handling your category.
What about the e-Visa upload?
No official photo spec exists for it — the numbers circulating are third-party guesses — and South Africa is phasing in a biometric ETA that works on a passport scan plus a live selfie rather than a sized upload. Follow whatever your application session states.
Can I wear glasses in a South African ID photo?
Yes — officially permitted with eyes clearly visible, no flash reflection, no dark tint, and no heavy frames covering any part of the eyes. Head coverings only for religious reasons with the face fully visible. And print professionally: the DHA warns home prints are unlikely to pass.
Is my file uploaded to a server?
No. ConvertUno runs entirely in your browser on your own device. Your file never leaves your computer or phone — there is no upload at all.
Is it really free, with no watermark?
Yes. Processing happens on your device, so serving you costs us almost nothing — no watermark, no account, no file-size limit, no daily quota.