Malaysia eVisa says your photo is 'not as per required specifications': the fix

Applicants report Malaysia's eVisa portal rejecting uploads with the message that the photo is not as per required specifications, even after following the visible rules. The usual hidden culprit is the crop: Malaysia uses an unusual 35 x 50 mm photo ratio, not the 35 x 45 mm most countries use, so a standard passport photo fails the proportion check. Crop to 35 x 50, keep the file a JPEG under 240 KB, use a shadow-free white background with dark clothing, remove glasses, and re-upload.

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The 35 x 50 trap

Most of the world standardised on 35 x 45 mm, so photo studios and apps produce that shape by default. Malaysia's eVisa wants 35 x 50 mm, slightly taller, and the automated check reads a 35 x 45 photo as out of specification even though everything else about it is right. Crop to the 35 x 50 ratio (a 7:10 shape) before uploading; the resize tool below does it in your browser.

The rest of the checklist

File: JPEG or JPG, under 240 KB. Content: plain white background with no shadows, dark clothing that covers the shoulders, no glasses, a recent front-facing photo. Travelers on the Malaysia forums describe the portal rejecting repeatedly with the same message until the crop and file size are both right, so fix both in one pass rather than iterating on one at a time.

If a compliant file still fails, try a different browser and clear the cache before assuming the photo is at fault, and the eVisa help channels can confirm your account state.

Frequently asked questions

What size photo does the Malaysia eVisa require?

A 35 x 50 mm ratio photo, uploaded as a JPEG under 240 KB, on a white background. The 35 x 50 shape is the detail most applicants miss, because standard passport photos are 35 x 45.

Why does the portal keep saying my photo is not as per required specifications?

Usually the crop ratio or the file size. Crop to 35 x 50 mm proportions, compress under 240 KB, and confirm the background is shadow-free white with dark clothing.

Do I need a photo for the MDAC arrival card too?

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card collects personal, passport and travel details; it is a different system from the eVisa, and visa-exempt travelers who only fill the MDAC are not going through this photo check.