EN
Open Studio Take photo
Open Studio
Home photo OK

South Africa Visa Photo — at home in 60 seconds

South African visitor visa (Form BI-84) via missions / VFS

Take it with your phone against a plain, light wall. We crop it to the exact size (35×45 mm) and check the head size, position and background against the published rules.

Take my photo Upload a photo

Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.

Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027

Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo. Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.

Example 35×45 mm photo: a man wearing glasses, white background (fictional AI-generated model)
35×45 mm · white backgroundExample (AI-generated model)

Quick answer

A South Africa Visa Photo must be 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) when printed, or a digital file of aspect 35:45, with the head 29–34 mm from chin to top of head, on a white, light grey, or plain cream background, taken within the last 6 months. A photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets these rules.

Printed photo
35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
Digital file
aspect 35:45

Verified October 7, 2026 from Department of Home Affairs, South Africa.

Photo requirements

Summarised from the official sources below.

Printed photo
35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
Digital file
aspect 35:45
Head size (chin to top of head)
29–34 mm (70–80 % of the photo height)
Background
White, light grey, plain cream. Embassy checklists ask for white; the Home Affairs photo leaflet also allows light grey or plain cream. Plain white is the safe choice, with no shadows behind the head and no busy background.
Expression
Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking directly at the camera; no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows. Eyes open and clearly visible, no hair across the face, and the face square to the camera, not tilted.
Glasses
Allowed if your eyes are clearly visible: no flash reflection on the lenses, no dark-tinted lenses or heavy frames, and the frames must not cover any part of the eyes.
Head covering
Not allowed, except for religious reasons; your face must be clearly visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, including both edges.
Photo age
Taken within the last 6 months
More rules (6)
  • Bring two identical colour photos.
  • Close-up of your head and the top of your shoulders.
  • Print the photos professionally on high-quality photo paper; home-printed photos may be rejected.
  • Sharp focus, natural skin colour and even lighting; no shadows on the face or behind the head, no flash reflections and no red eye.
  • You must be alone in the photo (no chair backs, toys or other people), with your face centred.
  • No ink marks, creases or damage; do not glue the photos to the application form.

Print the sheet at 100% (Actual size), never “Fit to page”, on photo paper. Each sheet has a 50 mm ruler so you can check the size.

How to take it at home

  1. Stand about half a metre in front of a plain, light wall, facing a window.
  2. Hold the phone at arm’s length or ask someone to help. The live guide checks distance, light and head position.
  3. Get your digital file and print sheet. Print at 100% or upload the file.

Price

Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.

Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027

Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo.

Photo Acceptance Guarantee — rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.

See all prices

Why people choose Ovalight

Made for the moment you need a photo that just works.

  • Money back if it’s rejected Rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
  • Free to try Take and check your photo for free. You pay once, only when you like the result.
  • Your photo stays on your phone Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
  • Checked against the official rules Every rule comes from the issuing authority’s own website, last verified on October 7, 2026.
  • Free retakes for 24 hours Not happy with it? Retake the same document up to 3 times within 24 hours.
  • Secure payment, no subscription Pay once through Stripe. We never see your card details.

Official sources

Verified on October 7, 2026

Questions

What size is a South Africa Visa Photo?

Printed: 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in). Digital: aspect 35:45.

Can I take my South Africa Visa Photo at home?

Yes. The photo is not taken at the office and no registered photographer is required, so a photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets the rules on this page.

What background is required?

White, light grey, plain cream. Embassy checklists ask for white; the Home Affairs photo leaflet also allows light grey or plain cream. Plain white is the safe choice, with no shadows behind the head and no busy background.

Can I smile?

Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking directly at the camera; no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows. Eyes open and clearly visible, no hair across the face, and the face square to the camera, not tilted.

Can I wear glasses?

Allowed if your eyes are clearly visible: no flash reflection on the lenses, no dark-tinted lenses or heavy frames, and the frames must not cover any part of the eyes.

Can I wear a head covering?

Not allowed, except for religious reasons; your face must be clearly visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, including both edges.

How recent must the photo be?

Taken within the last 6 months.

Can I print the photo at home?

Yes. Print the sheet at 100% (Actual size) on photo paper, at home or at a pharmacy or kiosk, and check the size with the 50 mm ruler.

More South Africa documents

Other documents that use 35×45 mm

Ovalight is an independent service. Only the authority that issues your document decides whether to accept a photo.