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USA vs South Africa visa photo — full spec comparison
Side-by-side comparison of visa photo requirements for USA and South Africa, sourced from each issuing authority.
In short
USA requires 51 × 51 mm while South Africa requires 35 × 45 mm. The two specifications are NOT interchangeable — a photo accepted for one will be rejected by the other.
Specification table
| Attribute | USA | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Photo size | 51 × 51 mm | 35 × 45 mm |
| Head height | 50–69% | 70–80% |
| Background | White or off-white | Cream or light grey |
| Glasses | glasses prohibited | see glasses rule |
| Authority | U.S. Department of State | Department of International Relations and Cooperation |
| Verification | Official — exact | Official — exact |
| Last verified | 2026-05-21 | 2026-05-17 |
