Create a 35×45mm passport photo meeting Department of Home Affairs specifications. White or light gray background.
Create SA Passport Photo →| Photo Size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Head Height | 25-35 mm |
| Head Position | Centered |
| Resolution | 600 DPI |
| Background | White/Light Gray |
| Paper | Matte photo paper |
| Age | Within 6 months |
| Quantity | 2-4 photos |
DHA (Department of Home Affairs) requires a white or light gray background. Many applicants submit photos with blue or beige studio backdrops — these get rejected immediately. Our tool sets the background to pure white.
No sunglasses, tinted lenses, or reflective eyewear of any kind. Even transition lenses with slight tint will be rejected. Regular clear prescription glasses are allowed if the frames don't cover your eyes.
Your full face from forehead to chin and from ear to ear must be clearly visible. Hair covering the forehead, scarves over the chin, or angled poses that hide one ear all cause rejection at DHA offices.
Low-resolution photos or those taken with extreme digital zoom appear blurry when printed. DHA needs crisp detail for biometric matching. Use your phone's main camera and hold it steady.
Harsh overhead lighting creates nose and chin shadows. Side lighting creates uneven illumination. Stand facing a bright window or use two lights placed at 45-degree angles for shadow-free results.
If you take a selfie, hold the phone far enough away (or use a timer) so your arm doesn't appear in the frame. Better still, ask someone to take your photo from about 1 meter away at face height.
Stand against a plain white wall — even a white door works. Use daylight from a window facing you, or a bright room light. Keep a neutral expression, look straight at the camera, and drop your shoulders slightly.
Upload your photo and our AI automatically replaces the background, detects and centers your face, and crops to the exact 35×45mm format that DHA and South African embassies require.
Download the finished file and print 2-4 copies at any CNA, PostNet, or Clicks photo printing kiosk on glossy photo paper. Take them to your nearest DHA office along with your smart ID card and application form.
Get DHA-compliant photos in 60 seconds. Free, no registration.
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