Last updated: November 6, 2026
The photo is a small part of the application, but it's the part people most often rush. This guide separates the official rules from practical advice, then shows how to take the photo, fix an iPhone file, and scan your passport page so both uploads work the first time.
⚡ At a glance | Vietnam e-visa photo |
|---|---|
Size | 4×6 cm (width × height), a 2:3 portrait shape |
File | JPG or JPEG, under 2 MB |
Background | White |
Glasses and hats | ❌ Not allowed |
Clothing | Formal attire, front-facing pose |
Second upload | Passport data page image, separate from the portrait |
What are the official Vietnam visa photo requirements?
The official portal sets a short list of rules for the portrait. The instructions on evisa.gov.vn ask for a recent 4×6 cm image in JPG or JPEG format, under 2 MB, front-facing, with no hat, no glasses, formal attire and a white background.
Many websites add more rules, such as exact pixel sizes or a face-height percentage. Those aren't on the portal. They can still be useful, so the table shows which is which.
📸 Requirement | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|
Recent photo | Take a new one for this application | ✅ Official |
4×6 cm size | Crop to a 2:3 portrait shape | ✅ Official |
JPG or JPEG | Convert HEIC, PNG or PDF files first | ✅ Official |
Under 2 MB | Save a smaller copy if needed | ✅ Official |
Front-facing | Look straight at the camera | ✅ Official |
No hat, no glasses | Remove them, including prescription glasses | ✅ Official |
Formal attire | Wear a shirt or smart top, not beachwear | ✅ Official |
White background | Stand in front of a plain white wall | ✅ Official |
Taken in the last 6 months | A sensible meaning of "recent" | ➖ Good practice |
Neutral face, eyes open | Close your mouth and relax | ➖ Good practice |
Head and top of shoulders in frame | Leave a little space above your hair | ➖ Good practice |
If a rule isn't on evisa.gov.vn, treat it as advice. If it is, treat it as the minimum.
What size should a Vietnam visa photo be in pixels?
The portal gives a size in centimeters, not pixels. What matters for an upload is the shape, 2:3, and a sharp image under 2 MB. As a guide, 4×6 cm at 300 dpi works out to about 472×709 pixels, but that is arithmetic, not an official minimum.
Two mix-ups are common:
- ⚠️ 4×6 cm is not 4×6 inches. A standard 4×6 inch print is far larger, and it isn't the size being asked for.
- ⚠️ A US 2×2 inch passport photo is square. It's a different shape, so crop a new 2:3 version rather than reusing the file as it is.
How do I take a Vietnam e-visa photo at home?
You can take it at home with a phone. The portal doesn't ask for a studio photo, only an image that meets the rules. A helper with a phone usually gets better results than a selfie, because the camera sits straight and further from your face.
- Stand about half a meter in front of a plain white wall, so your shadow doesn't fall on it.
- Face a window for soft, even daylight. Turn the flash off.
- Take off your glasses and hat, and pull your hair away from your face.
- Ask your helper to hold the phone at eye level, about 1–1.5 meters away.
- Look straight at the lens with a neutral face and take several shots.
- Crop to a 2:3 shape, without filters or beauty effects, and save as JPG.
Applying for a baby or a young child? The same rules apply, but the method is different. See Vietnam e-visa for children for how to photograph a baby.
Why won't my iPhone photo upload?
Your iPhone may be saving photos as HEIC, and the portal asks for JPG or JPEG. Newer iPhones use the High Efficiency format by default. Check the file before you upload, and convert it if it isn't a JPG.
📱 Device | How to get a JPG |
|---|---|
iPhone, before taking the photo | Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible. New photos are saved as JPEG. |
Mac, existing HEIC photo | Open it in Preview, then File → Export → JPEG. |
Windows, existing HEIC photo | Open it in an image editor that supports HEIC and save a JPG copy. |
Android | Most phones save JPG. If yours doesn't, check the camera's picture format setting. |
File over 2 MB | Export a smaller copy, and check that the face is still sharp. |
Renaming a file from .heic to .jpg doesn't convert it. Always export a real JPG copy.
Can I wear glasses or a head covering in the photo?
Glasses: no. Hats: no. Religious head coverings aren't addressed by the portal. The official instruction says "no hat, no glasses" and doesn't list an exception for prescription glasses, so take them off for the photo even if you wear them every day.
The portal's instructions don't mention religious head coverings at all. If you wear one, keep your whole face clearly visible, use the same style as in your passport photo, and ask us or the immigration contacts before you submit if you're unsure.
What are the rules for the passport page image?
Upload the page with your photo and personal details, with the whole page in frame. The portal reads this image and fills in your passport details automatically. The official instructions also say that if the passport image is invalid, the system won't let you submit the application.
🛂 Check | ✅ Do | ❌ Avoid |
|---|---|---|
Page | The data page with your photo | The cover or a visa page |
Framing | All four corners and both lines of letters at the bottom | Cropped edges or fingers over the text |
Light | Soft daylight, flash off | Glare across the photo or text |
Angle | Passport flat, camera directly above it | A curved page or a tilted shot |
Sharpness | You can read every character when you zoom in | Blur or heavy compression |
File | A JPG copy, kept small and sharp | A PDF or HEIC file |
The portal states the 2 MB limit for the portrait and doesn't clearly give one for the passport image, so keeping both under 2 MB is the safe choice. After the upload, compare every auto-filled field with your passport. The system can misread a character, and a wrong detail causes bigger problems than a weak photo.
Not sure your files will pass? Send them to us and we'll tell you honestly what to fix, even if you plan to apply yourself.
What happens if my photo is wrong?
It depends on when the problem shows up. The portal checks your images at upload, and an officer reviews the application later. A bad file is simple to replace before you pay. It's harder to deal with after you've submitted.
⏱️ When you notice | What to do |
|---|---|
The file won't upload | Check the format and size, then upload a new JPG |
Before you pay | Replace the image and review the form again |
After you pay, and the portal asks for an update | Change only what it asks for, the same day if you can |
After you pay, with no request from the portal | Check your status and don't submit a second application in a panic |
Do I need printed photos for Vietnam?
Not for an e-visa, but usually yes for visa on arrival. An e-visa is handled entirely online, so you carry the approved PDF and your passport. Visa on arrival still exists for travelers with an approval letter, and the counter normally asks for printed photos. Rules for embassy visas vary, so check with the embassy.
Visa route | Photo needed | Printed? |
|---|---|---|
E-visa | Digital portrait + passport page image | ❌ No |
Usually two 4×6 cm photos, plain light background | ✅ Yes | |
Embassy or consulate visa | Set by the embassy | ⚠️ Ask the embassy |
What no agency can honestly promise
No agency can guarantee that a photo will be accepted or that a visa will be approved. The Immigration Department decides, and the portal doesn't publish its full image checks. What we can do is compare your files with the official rules and tell you plainly when something should be retaken.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Vietnam visa photo?
The official portal asks for a 4×6 cm image, which is a 2:3 portrait shape. The file must be JPG or JPEG and under 2 MB.
Does a Vietnam visa photo need a white background?
Yes. The evisa.gov.vn instructions ask for a white background, so use a plain white wall with no patterns or objects behind you.
Can I smile in my Vietnam e-visa photo?
The portal doesn't mention smiling, but a neutral face with your mouth closed is the safest choice for an identity photo.
Can I use my passport photo for the e-visa?
It's better not to. The portal asks for a recent photo, and it should be a separate file from your passport page, not cropped from it.
Can I take my Vietnam visa photo with a phone?
Yes, as long as the final image meets the rules. Use daylight and a white wall, and save it as a JPG under 2 MB.
Do I need to print a photo for my e-visa?
No. You upload the photo online. Printed photos are usually needed only for visa on arrival.
Related guides: Vietnam e-visa requirements · How to apply online · Vietnam passport validity rules · Urgent Vietnam visa service