Print version
Photo ready to print
A separate file prepared at the official physical size, ready to produce your paper copies.
- Official size: 35 × 45 mm (1.4 × 1.8 in)
- Prepared at 300 dpi
- Print-ready sheet included
- white background
🇿🇦 South Africa · Visa
South Africa visa photo, valid and ready in 30 seconds
Take or upload a photo. We prepare and check it so your South Africa visa photo is compliant and ready to print.
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Included with your order
Two versions. One complete delivery.
Your South Africa visa photo order includes the files you need for both online submission and printing, when supported by the application route.
Digital file
Your photo as a digital file
The same final photo as a file you can keep or send to print wherever you like: a print shop, photo store or at home.
- JPEG file
- white background
- Direct download from your account
Take a normal photo. We turn it into the official photo you need.
You don't need to understand the rules for South Africa visa photo. Just face the camera in good light; Imagokit handles the rest.
Correct background
We replace your surroundings with the white background required for the application.
Properly framed face
We center and crop the image to the required biometric position.
Checked before download
We detect issues that could cause rejection and tell you if you need to take another photo.
Verified official information
What to know about South Africa visa photo
South African visas still processed on paper, such as study, work or temporary residence visas, require two 35 × 45 mm colour photos, recent and professionally printed. Embassies ask for a white background and the face at 70–80%, but each VFS centre or mission publishes its own checklist: confirm it before printing.
From everyday portrait to compliant result: South Africa visa photo
We correct the framing and prepare the white background while preserving your natural appearance.
How it is actually submitted
You hand in the printed photos with form DHA-1738 or DHA-84 and the other documents at the VFS centre or mission that serves you; some offices ask you not to glue them to the form. We deliver a file ready to print at a photo lab or shop. If you travel as a tourist with the ETA, you do not need this photo: the ETA uses a live selfie.
How to prepare
Use a plain white background with no shadows or borders, even light and a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Better without glasses; if you wear religious headwear, keep the whole face visible. Print at a lab and hand in photos under one month old.
Common rejection reasons
- Background other than the one your VFS centre or mission requires
- Photos printed at home
- Photo older than one month
- Glasses with glare or heavy frames
- Using this photo for the ETA, which requires a live selfie
We check the requirements for you
You don't need to memorize measurements or biometric rules. Imagokit applies this document's official setup and checks the result before delivery.
Government Photo Compliance Guaranteed
- Size
- 35 × 45 mm (1.4 × 1.8 in)
- Suitable for online submission?
- No
- Is it printable?
- Yes
- Background
- White
- Head height
- 70–80% of the photo
What the photo must comply with
- Face the camera. Head straight and eyes looking directly at the camera, no tilting.
- Neutral expression. Mouth closed, no smiling.
- Even lighting. No shadows on the face or background, no glare.
- Glasses. No glasses.
- Hats and caps. Head uncovered; religious garments that do not cover the face are allowed.
- Filters and beauty retouching. The photo must faithfully show your current appearance.
- Religious garments (hijab, turban…) are allowed if the face is visible from forehead to chin.
Specific rules for South Africa
- For paper visa applications, mainly long-stay ones (study, work or temporary residence; forms DHA-1738 or DHA-84), lodged at a VFS centre or a South African mission.
- Two colour photos of 35 × 45 mm, with the face filling 70–80%.
- White background, as the embassies require. Some VFS centres use the DHA template with a light grey or cream background: confirm the one for your country.
- Photo under one month old, the strictest published limit; some missions accept up to six months.
- Professionally printed on photo paper: photos printed at home are rejected.
- The tourist ETA is applied for online with a live selfie and does not use this photo.
How to get ready
1
Camera distance
Take the photo from at least 40 cm (16 in) away from your face. Ideally, have someone else take it for you.
2
Face the camera
Position your face in front of the lens and keep a neutral expression. Hold the camera at face level.
3
Even lighting
Face a light source, such as an open window. Don't worry about the background — we'll replace it.
Photos that pass and photos that don't
Don't worry about the background or framing — our AI fixes that. Focus on this.
Other document photos for South Africa
If you need to complete more than one application, prepare each photo to the exact size and rules of its document.
Secure payment
Your photo ready for your document today.
Get your photo ready for your application and use your Imagokit dashboard for the next 7 days.
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- Cancel online at any time.
7 days of Imagokit Unlimited
$1.95
7 days of access to Imagokit from your dashboard.
- Your official photo, digital and ready to print
- The guide to your application: steps, what to bring, fees and official links
- Unlimited photos for you and your family, for any document and country
- Reminders before your documents expire
- If it's rejected, we refund your money
Today you'll pay $1.95 and get 7 days of full access to Imagokit. After that, your subscription renews at $49.95/month until you cancel. You can cancel at any time.
Frequently asked questions about South Africa visa photo
What size should the photo be for South Africa visa photo?
It must be exactly 35 × 45 mm (1.4 × 1.8 in), with a white background. Imagokit crops and adjusts your photo to those measurements automatically.
What color should the background be?
The background must be white. Our tool replaces your photo's background with the required one automatically.
Can I smile in the photo?
No. South Africa visa photo requires a neutral expression, with your mouth closed and no smiling. Imagokit checks this before delivering your photo.
Can I wear glasses?
No. Glasses aren't allowed for this photo: they can cause glare or cover your eyes. Take them off before taking it.
How much does South Africa visa photo cost and how long does it take?
It costs $1.95. It's ready to download instantly — no waiting, no trips.
Is it valid for the official application?
Yes. The photo meets the official measurements, background and biometric requirements of South Africa. And if it's still rejected, we refund your money.
Can I print it on paper?
Yes. Along with the digital photo you get a 10×15 cm (4×6 in) print template ready to print with 2, 4, 6 or 9 copies at any photo shop or kiosk.
Is my photo safe? What do you do with it?
The biometric analysis and cropping run on your own device, inside the browser. Your photo is only stored — in private storage — when you generate your order, so we can deliver it.