ZM Business Visa Photo Requirements - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo size: 35 mm wide × 45 mm high printed on high-quality photo paper
• Head position: height of face (chin to crown) must measure between 29 mm and 34 mm
• Background: plain white or light-grey with no shadows, patterns, lines or objects
• Facial expression: neutral expression with mouth closed, eyes open and no smiling
• Pose: full-face frontal view, head centered, both edges of face visible, no tilt
• Eyewear: clear prescription glasses allowed if frames do not cover eyes or cast shadows; no tinted lenses
• Head covering: permitted only for religious reasons, must not obscure any facial features
• Photo recency: taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
• Print quality: high resolution (600 dpi minimum), no creases, smudges, tears or ink marks
• Finish: non-reflective matte or glossy finish without glare or reflections
• Number of photos: submit two identical physical prints with your application
• Digital file: JPEG format, minimum 600 × 800 pixels, maximum 1 MB, sRGB color profile

Step-by-Step Process

• Understand Zambian Business Visa Photo Specifications: Familiarize yourself with the official requirements—one recent (≤6 months) color photo, 35 mm wide × 45 mm high, head height 25–35 mm, plain light grey or white background, JPEG format (digital) or high-resolution matte print.
• Choose the Right Photography Environment: Use a professional studio or set up a home studio with even, diffused lighting to eliminate shadows on the face and background; ensure background is uniformly light grey or white and wrinkle-free.
• Position and Pose Correctly: Stand or sit straight, face directly toward the camera, eyes open and visible, mouth closed with a neutral expression; keep head centered and shoulders relaxed to meet head-size and margin requirements.
• Follow Attire and Accessory Rules: Wear everyday business attire (no uniforms), remove hats and head coverings unless for religious reasons (must not obscure facial features), and avoid excessive jewelry that casts shadows.
• Manage Glasses and Hair: Remove glasses or use non-reflective, rimless frames; ensure no hair covers eyes or significant portions of the face; clip long hair back if necessary to reveal ears.
• Capture, Review, and Retake if Needed: Take multiple shots, inspect each for clarity, correct exposure, absence of red-eye, glare, shadows, and compliance with head-measurement guidelines; retake until all criteria are satisfied.
• Print or Export Correctly: For prints, use high-quality matte photo paper, 600 dpi resolution, and cut to exact dimensions (35×45 mm) without trimming the head or margins; for digital, export as JPEG, 300 dpi, file size 20–50 KB, no compression artifacts.
• Label and Attach to Application: If submitting prints, write your full name and passport number lightly on the back of each photo; affix one photo to the designated spot on the visa form using photo-safe glue or tape—do not obscure any part of the face; include a spare photo in the envelope.
• Final Compliance Check Before Submission: Verify size with a ruler, confirm head-to-photo-height ratio, ensure background and attire comply, and cross-check against the Zambian High Commission’s published checklist to avoid rejection.

Tips and Best Practices

• Dimensions Check: use a ruler or template to confirm exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high with your head occupying 70–80 % of the frame—avoids outright rejection for incorrect sizing
• Background Uniformity: shoot against a plain white, even-lit backdrop with no shadows or textures—prevents photo refusal due to distracting or non-compliant backgrounds
• Neutral Expression & Eye Contact: maintain a closed-mouth, neutral expression and look straight at the camera—ensures facial features are clearly captured for biometric matching
• No Glasses or Headgear: remove spectacles (even non-prescription) and hats unless worn for religious reasons, then ensure nothing obscures your face—avoids glare, reflections, or concealed features that often trigger retakes
• Professional Print & Recency: print on high-resolution matte photo paper or submit a 300 dpi JPEG under 500 KB from a studio within the last 6 months—prevents poor quality or outdated images that consulates routinely reject

Conclusion

Conclusion: Ensuring your Zambia (ZM) Business Visa photos meet official standards is critical to avoid delays or rejection. Key points:

• Photo size: 35 × 45 mm with head height 70–80 % of frame
• Background: plain, light-colored (preferably white), no shadows or patterns
• Expression & pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, directly facing camera
• Photo quality: high resolution (minimum 600 dpi), true-to-life color, no retouching or filters
• Accessories & attire: no hats, headcovers (unless for religious reasons), or tinted eyewear; regular prescription glasses allowed if frames don’t obscure eyes
• Quantity & recency: two identical prints on quality photo paper, taken within the last six months