Vietnam Visa Photo Requirements 2026: Size, Background, Common Mistakes

Photos for a Vietnam visa must be recent colour portraits (taken within 6 months) on a white background, facing the camera, head uncovered and without glasses. The usual size is 4×6 cm (e-visa, visa on arrival, work permit, 5-year visa exemption); the temporary residence card uses 2×3 cm photos. For the e-visa you upload a clear JPG file; an incorrect photo is one of the most common reasons for a request for correction or a refusal.

Contents

Photo size by procedure

Procedure	Size	Quantity	Notes
E-visa	4×6 ratio, digital file	1 portrait + passport data page image	Uploaded online
Visa on arrival (approval letter)	4×6 cm	1–2 photos	1 glued to form NA1 at the counter
Temporary residence card	2×3 cm	2 photos	1 glued to the form, 1 loose
Work permit	4×6 cm	2 photos	Colour, taken within 6 months
5-year visa exemption, loose-leaf visa	4×6 cm	1–2 photos	As instructed by the receiving office

The number of photos can vary by office and over time; bring 2 spare photos when filing in person.

General rules for all photos

Colour photo taken within the last 6 months.
Plain white background, no pattern or shadows.
Facing straight ahead, eyes open, mouth closed, face filling most of the frame.
Head uncovered, no glasses (including prescription glasses), no hat; religious headwear is accepted if the face is fully visible.
No editing, beauty filters or cut-and-paste.
Printed on photo paper, sharp, not blurred or creased.

Photo and files for the e-visa

Portrait: 4×6 ratio, JPG file, sharp and well lit, meeting the general rules above.
Passport data page: the whole page, all 4 corners and both MRZ lines at the bottom visible, no glare.
Name, date of birth and passport number on the form must match the passport exactly.
Do not use screenshots or distorted selfies.

See the Vietnam e-visa application guide and how to check your e-visa status. If the photo does not comply, the application may be returned for correction or refused, and the fee is not refunded.

Common photo mistakes

Wearing glasses or glare on the face.
Background not white (grey, blue, objects behind).
Photo too dark or blurred, or the face too small in the frame.
An old photo that no longer looks like you.
Passport page image cutting off the MRZ lines or with glare.
Wrong size (for example a 3×4 photo where 4×6 is required).

Tips for a compliant photo

Stand about 50 cm from a white wall to avoid shadows, in good natural light.
Hold the phone at eye level and have someone else take the photo rather than a selfie.
Crop to a 4×6 ratio so the face takes up about 70–80% of the photo height.
For printed photos, use a photo studio and say it is for a Vietnam visa.