DHA ETA route
Live picture in the portal
The official ETA flow lists biometrics as a step and tells applicants to take a live picture of themselves before continuing.
Reviewed against DHA, DIRCO, and authorised-centre guidance on 23 July 2026
South Africa visa photo requirementsroute-specific guide
South Africa visa applicants can be routed through the DHA ETA portal, a diplomatic mission, or an authorised visa centre. Reviewed sources show live-picture capture, two-photo print checklists, 35 x 45 mm authorised-centre rules, and local digital upload differences.
Requirements-only. PassPhoto does not process, crop, resize, retouch, submit, or guarantee South Africa visa photos.
DHA ETA route
Live picture step
The official ETA flow asks applicants to take a live picture inside the application.
Mission routes
Two photos by checklist
Canberra, Ottawa, and Japan examples show local print-count and background wording.
Processing decision
Requirements-only
No reviewed route safely permits a universal upload, AI edit, or background replacement.
No South Africa upload preset is exposed
The reviewed official and authorised sources do not establish one safe digital file output or permission to replace the background. PassPhoto does not process South Africa visa photos until a specific official route safely supports editing.
Official requirements
South Africa visa photo size and route differences
Treat South Africa as a route-specific visa photo workflow. DHA ETA, DIRCO mission checklists, and authorised VFS pages can ask for different capture methods, photo counts, background colours, pixel floors, and file-size ceilings.
Canberra short-stay route
Two recent identical photos
The South African High Commission in Canberra asks visitor-visa applicants for two recent, identical photographs with the DHA-84 form.
Ottawa visitor route
Two photo prints
The Ottawa visitor-visa checklist asks for two photo prints and separates applications lodged in Toronto or Ottawa.
Japan long-stay examples
White or light background
DIRCO Japan work and relative visa checklists ask for two photos with a white or light background.
Authorised VFS China route
35 x 45 mm; 70-80% face
The South Africa VFS China page publishes 35 mm width, 45 mm length, white background, and 70-80% face coverage.
Processing mode
Requirements-only
Reviewed routes include live capture, local checklist, and conflicting authorised digital rules, so no universal background-replacement preset is exposed.
Route comparison
South Africa route wording is not a private maker preset
DHA ETA and biometrics
Live capture controls
The ETA flow lists a biometrics step where the applicant takes a live picture, separate from static photo preparation outside the official portal.
DHA ETA FAQDIRCO mission checklists
Photo count varies by post
Canberra asks visitor applicants for two recent identical photographs. Ottawa asks for two photo prints, while Japan long-stay examples add background wording.
Canberra application checklistAuthorised-centre rules
35 x 45 mm or local digital rule
VFS China publishes 35 x 45 mm with 70-80% face coverage, while VFS UAE publishes a route-specific minimum 240 x 320 px and 120 KB ceiling.
VFS China photo specificationsRequirements-only route
Private provider pages conflict on 35 x 45 mm, 413 x 531 px, 600 x 800 px, 1 MB, 120 KB, white or light-grey backgrounds, and automated-editing claims. The reviewed official and authorised sources support route-specific requirements, not a universal maker preset.
South Africa visa photo FAQ
What size is a South Africa visa photo?
There is no single public output across every reviewed route. DIRCO mission checklists may ask for two recent photographs without publishing a millimetre size, while the authorised VFS China route publishes 35 x 45 mm with the face taking 70-80% of the photograph.
Does South Africa ETA use an uploaded visa photo?
The reviewed official DHA ETA page describes a biometric step where applicants take a live picture of themselves, plus a separate passport photo capture. That is different from preparing a static country preset outside the portal.
Can PassPhoto replace the background for a South Africa visa photo?
No. The reviewed route set includes DHA live capture and checklist-specific filing routes, and the authorised guidance reviewed here does not create a safe universal background-replacement workflow. PassPhoto keeps South Africa requirements-only.
What background colour should I use?
Follow the route receiving your application. VFS China says white background, DIRCO Japan says white or light background, and VFS UAE says white background for its route.
Are private South Africa visa-photo pixel and file-size presets official?
No. Private services and public result samples conflict on 413 x 531 px, 600 x 800 px, 1 MB, background removal, and compliance language. Use the DHA portal, mission checklist, or authorised centre handling your application.
Does PassPhoto submit South Africa visa photos?
No. PassPhoto provides this requirements guide only. You complete the DHA ETA flow, submit through the receiving mission, or use the authorised visa centre route yourself.
Official sources reviewed
Verify the receiving route before submission
Follow the official DHA ETA account, DIRCO diplomatic mission, or authorised visa centre instruction shown for your application. Do not use a private preset as authority for South Africa visa-photo dimensions, file size, or editing permissions.
Official South African ETA portalOfficial South African ETA FAQDIRCO Canberra visas to South AfricaDIRCO Canberra visitor visa application checklistDIRCO Ottawa visitor visa checklistDIRCO Japan immigration and visa checklistsVFS South Africa China photo specificationsVFS South Africa UAE photo specifications
No editing or submission service is provided
PassPhoto does not process South Africa visa photos, change backgrounds, alter identity, submit applications, or promise acceptance. The DHA portal, diplomatic mission, authorised centre, or border authority controls review.