How should a Vietnam visa photo look?
Vietnam uses 40×60 mm (4×6 cm) for passport and visa; some embassies also accept 51×51 mm. The unusual part of the spec: both ears must be visible and the head must be bare: it is written explicitly. Glasses banned, head coverings not accepted. The same 4×6 cm size covers citizen and foreigner applications; e-visa adds a digital JPEG ≤1 MB.
The body that sets the spec
The standard is published by the Vietnam Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý Xuất nhập cảnh); e-visa runs through evisa.gov.vn. Citizen passports and foreigner visas take a 4×6 cm white-background print; e-visa adds a digital JPEG ≤1 MB. Validity is six months.
Workflow after the shoot
The frame goes to PhotoID Studio and the Vietnam preset is selected; the app aligns the face, checks that both ears are visible and the head is bare, cleans the background to pure white and exports 40×60 mm at 300 DPI. For e-visa a JPEG ≤1 MB is exported from the same frame.
Capture setup and direction
Seat the customer 1.5-2 m in front of the white backdrop with shoulders parallel to the camera. Camera on a tripod, lens at eye level. Standard setup: a 50-85 mm portrait lens, f/8 aperture, a softbox at 45° with a reflector on the opposite side. Cue: "chin slightly back, mouth closed, eyes fully open, neutral expression". Tie hair so both ears stay visible; headscarves and hats are removed; glasses are not worn during capture.
Reasons for rejection at Immigration
• Hair covering one or both ears: Vietnam explicitly requires both ears visible. • Headscarf, hat or head covering (outside medical exception). • Glasses (Vietnam bans them). • Non-white backdrop or visible shadow. • A frame older than six months. • e-visa file above 1 MB. • A smile, visible teeth, or an open mouth.
For studios in Vietnam
Vietnamese studios produce two outputs from the same 4×6 cm frame: a passport print and an e-visa digital file. The PhotoID Studio Vietnam preset locks the 40×60 mm white background and the e-visa JPEG ≤1 MB export.
Frequently asked questions
Must both ears be visible in a Vietnam photo?
Yes. The spec explicitly requires both ears visible. If hair covers either ear the frame is rejected.
Can a photo be taken with a headscarf or hat?
No. Vietnam requires a bare head. Medical/religious exceptions need a separate filing record.
What additional file format does the e-visa need?
The e-visa requires a digital JPEG ≤1 MB alongside the print; both outputs come from the same frame.
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