So, you’re heading to Vietnam amazing choice! Whether you’re planning to cruise through Ha Long Bay, roam the old streets of Hoi An, or grab bowls of pho in Hanoi, there’s one tiny detail that can make or break your trip: your visa photo.
Planning to apply for a Vietnam visa? Make sure your photo meets the official Vietnam visa photo requirements. This guide covers the correct size, background, expression, and format needed to ensure your visa application is accepted without delays.
Yep, something as simple as a passport-style photo can slow down (or even stop) your visa application. But don’t worry. We’ve broken it down in this easy, no-fuss guide to make sure your Vietnam visa photo is 100% good to go.
📷 Why This Tiny Photo Matters
You’d think it’s just a quick snap, but this photo is used to identify you at borders, airports, and immigration desks. If it’s the wrong size, poorly lit, or your expression’s off—you might end up reapplying or facing delays at immigration.
So before you upload or print any photo, let’s talk about what the Vietnam authorities are actually looking for.
📝 Vietnam Visa Photo Requirements (Quick Version)
Whether you’re applying for an eVisa, a visa on arrival, or through a Vietnamese embassy, these are the basics:
- Size: 4×6 cm (that’s roughly 2×2 inches)
- Background: Plain white or light grey. No textures, no shadows.
- Expression: Neutral face, mouth closed, eyes open. No smiles, no duckface.
- Clothing: Regular everyday clothes. No uniforms. Avoid white tops—they might blend with the background.
- Headwear: No hats or caps. Religious head coverings are okay—just make sure your face is fully visible.
- Glasses: Not recommended. If you must wear them, no glare and no tinted lenses.
- Age of photo: Taken within the last 6 months. Fresh is best!
- Format (for eVisa): JPG or JPEG. Max file size: 2MB.
🎯 Extra Tips for Getting It Right
Want to pass the photo check the first time? Keep these little things in mind:
- Stand in front of a plain white wall and have someone take the photo at eye level.
- Make sure your hair is out of your face and nothing’s covering your eyebrows or eyes.
- Don’t use filters or edit the photo. No soft skin, no background blur—keep it real.
- Use natural lighting or take the photo during the day to avoid shadows.
📩 For E-Visa Applicants: Here’s What You Upload
If you’re applying online through the official Vietnam eVisa portal, you’ll be asked to upload two things:
- A passport-style portrait photo (see all requirements above)
- A scan of your passport’s bio page (also in JPG format)
Make sure your photo is clear, the file name has no strange symbols, and it’s not too big. You don’t want an error message when you’re about to hit “Submit.”
✈️ For Visa on Arrival Travelers
If you’re flying into Vietnam and picking up your visa at the airport (visa on arrival), don’t forget to bring two printed photos (4×6 cm) with you. Yes, printed! You’ll hand them in at the immigration desk, so make sure they’re high-quality and on proper photo paper.
Avoid printing them at home unless you’ve got professional-grade photo paper. Otherwise, swing by a local photo studio or a visa photo booth. Most passport photo studios already know the standard.
👶 What About Babies and Kids?
Yes, kids need visa photos too—even infants. But don’t stress too much. Vietnam is a bit more relaxed when it comes to children’s photos.
For babies:
- You can lay them on a white sheet and take the photo from above.
- No other people, hands, or toys should appear in the frame.
- Eyes open if possible, but not mandatory.
For older children:
- Try to follow the adult rules—neutral expression, facing forward, no distracting items.
😬 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Before you hit that upload button or drop off your application, double-check for these issues:
🚫 Wrong size – Make sure it’s 4×6 cm, not 3.5×4.5 cm like some passport photos
🚫 Busy background – No wallpaper, shadows, or furniture in sight
🚫 Filters – This isn’t Instagram
🚫 Smiling – A relaxed, natural expression is key
🚫 Old photos – Even if you “still look the same,” use a recent one
💻 Having Trouble Uploading?
You’re not alone. Lots of people run into upload issues on Vietnam’s eVisa website. Here’s how to fix them:
- Use Chrome or Firefox – Some browsers just don’t play nice with the portal
- Keep file names simple – Use something like “passportphoto.jpg” instead of “IMG_3948(1) copy FINAL.jpg”
- File too big? Use a free online image compressor
- Photo rejected? Re-take a fresh one using natural light and follow the size/background rules
🧳 What Happens If My Photo Is Rejected?
If your photo doesn’t meet the rules, your visa may be delayed—or worse, denied. The system might ask you to re-upload, or you could get stuck at immigration when arriving in Vietnam.
That’s why it’s better to take a few extra minutes now to get it right. If you’re unsure, get your picture taken professionally or use an online visa photo tool.
✅ Final Pre-Submission Checklist
Here’s a quick list to run through:
✅ Photo is 4×6 cm (2×2 in)
✅ Taken in the last 6 months
✅ White background, no shadows
✅ Neutral expression, no smile
✅ Face and shoulders visible
✅ No hats or glasses
✅ Saved as JPG under 2MB
✅ No edits, no filters, no watermarks
🌏 One Last Tip
If you’re applying from a country where passport photos are a different standard (like the U.S., where the size is 2×2 inches), let your photographer know it’s for a Vietnam visa. They’ll adjust the settings or crop it correctly.
Final Thoughts
Getting your visa photo right is one of the simplest but most important parts of your Vietnam travel prep. Think of it like this: the more accurate the photo, the smoother the journey.
So take a few minutes, follow the steps, and snap a clean, compliant photo. That way, the only thing you’ll have to worry about in Vietnam is where to get the best bánh mì.
Safe travels—and if you need help resizing your photo or choosing an upload tool, I’m here to help!
