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Compliant Passport Photo

South Africa passport photo: light grey or cream background, not white

The official Department of Home Affairs photograph specification for South African passports and IDs asks for a light grey or plain cream-colored background, not the white background most countries use. The photo is 35 mm wide by 45 mm high, with the head measuring at least 29 mm and no more than 34 mm from chin to crown, the face taking up 70 to 80 percent of the frame, and, unusually, the photographs must be not more than one month old. Passports need two identical color photos, printed professionally.

The DHA spec, from the official flyer

Size: 35 mm in width and 45 mm in height. Head: 29 to 34 mm from chin to crown, a close-up of head and top of shoulders with the face filling 70 to 80 percent of the photograph. Background: light grey or plain cream-colored, with strong definition between face and background and no shadows behind the head. Quality: sharp focus, appropriate brightness and contrast, uniform lighting, no red-eye, printed on high-quality photo paper. The flyer states photographs printed at home are not likely to be of acceptable quality.

The one-month rule and the conduct rules

The spec requires photos not more than one month old, far stricter than the six-month window most countries allow, so do not reuse last quarter's photos. Expression: looking directly at the camera, neutral, mouth closed, no obvious grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows. Glasses are permitted only if the eyes are clearly visible with no flash reflection, no dark-tinted lenses, and no heavy frames covering any part of the eyes. Head coverings are only allowed for religious reasons, and even then the face from chin to top of forehead and both edges must be clearly shown. You must be alone in the photo with no chair backs, toys or other people visible.

Frequently asked questions

What background color does a South African passport photo need?

Light grey or plain cream, per the official DHA specification, with strong definition between your face and the background. White is the global default but it is not what the SA flyer asks for.

How recent must South African passport photos be?

Not more than one month old, per the DHA photograph specification. This is much stricter than the usual six-month rule.

What size is a South African passport photo?

35 mm wide by 45 mm high, with the head measuring 29 to 34 mm from chin to crown and the face taking up 70 to 80 percent of the frame. Passports require two identical color photos.

Can I wear glasses in a South African passport photo?

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

Some sites say South Africa actually wants a pure white background. Which is it?

The official DHA photograph specification states light grey or plain cream, not white, and that is the flyer's own wording. A plain white background photographed under bright, even light can look close to grey or cream once printed, which may be why the two claims get confused. Follow the official wording: light grey or cream, with strong definition between your face and the background.

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