Updated June 2025
Malaysia visa photo requirements 2025
The photo requirements for a Malaysian visa demand careful attention to detail. If your photo does not meet the standards set by the authorities, your visa application will be rejected. These standards encompass specific dimensions, resolution, and appearance criteria detailed below.
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Size
According to the official rules, the size of the Malaysian visa photo must be 35 mm x 50 mm. Additionally, your face should occupy between 60% and 70% of the photo or roughly 25 mm – 30 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Specifications
The following are the specifications for the Malaysian visa photo that visa applicants must adhere to. Non-compliance may result in the rejection of their visa applications.
Background and quality of the photograph
- The background must be a plain white or off-white
- It must be a colored photograph, not black and white
- The lighting should not be too bright or too dark to show the face in its natural color
- Must be taken within the last 6 months
Attire of the applicant
- Though the dress will not be prominently visible in the picture, applicants are still advised to dress appropriately
- Headwear is allowed only for religious purposes. In such cases, the face should be fully visible from the chin to the forehead. No shadows should be visible on the face
- In the case of wearing a hijab, it is recommended that it be in a single color and allow the entire face to be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, including the sides of the face
- Glasses must be removed before taking the photo
- No large or flashy jewelry should be visible
Expression of the applicant
- The head of the applicant should be neither at an angle nor turned (portrait style)
- The head must be square to the camera; the face can be slightly rotated and or tilted
- The face and eyes must be straight toward the camera so both ears and cheeks are clearly visible
- The photograph has to be a full-face view in which the applicant is facing the camera directly
- Smiling to the camera is not allowed
Requirements for children and infants
Though they are still underage, parents must prepare their babies for the visa photograph with the following guidelines:
- The child should be awake during the photo shoot
- If the infant has a pacifier or headwear, you are expected to remove them from the shot
- The child has to appear alone in the picture
- The size and background requirements for a child’s visa photo are the same as those for adults, as mentioned in the previous sections.
