Compare
South Africa document photo specifications — every type compared
South Africa does not use one photo format for every document: 3 of them are compared below. Each row gives the print size in millimetres, the head height, the required background and the authority page that row was checked against. Sizes differ from one document to the next, so a photo made for one application is not automatically valid for another — and a print that misses the stated figures is refused.
All South Africa document photo specifications
Every document type South Africa issues that requires a photo, listed below with the official spec. Click any document to read the full rules, including the printable layout, glasses and expression rules, and the source link.
| Document | Photo size | Head height | Background | Photo submission | Last verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ID Card | 35 × 45 mm | 64–76% | White, light grey or cream | dirco.gov.za | ||
| Passport | 35 × 45 mm | 64–76% | White, light grey or cream | Own photo | dirco.gov.za | |
| Visa | 35 × 45 mm | 70–80% | White, light grey or cream | Own photo | dirco.gov.za |