ZM Business Visa Photo Requirements - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo size: 35 mm wide × 45 mm high, with the head centered and occupying about 70–80 % of the frame
• Head dimensions: from crown to chin between 29 mm and 34 mm, eyes positioned 15–22 mm from the bottom edge
• Background: plain, light-colored (white or very light gray) with no patterns, shadows or objects visible
• Color and quality: high-resolution color image showing natural skin tones, printed on matte or semigloss photo paper with no pixelation
• Facial expression: neutral expression or natural look, mouth closed, both eyes open, no exaggerated smile or frown
• Head position: directly facing the camera, head not tilted, shoulders squared, looking straight ahead
• Lighting: even, diffused lighting with no shadows on face or background, free of “red-eye” and glare
• Eyewear: if worn, glasses must have clear lenses, thin frames, no glare or reflections, eyes fully visible; tinted or heavy-framed glasses not permitted
• Head coverings: only allowed for documented religious reasons, must not obscure hairline, face or cast shadows on the face
• Recentness: photo must be taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance
• Paper and finish: unmounted, cut to size, printed on high-quality photographic paper, no borders, creases or perforations
• Number of copies: supply two identical photographs, printed from the same negative or digital file
• Digital specifications (if applicable): JPEG format, minimum 600 dpi, file size between 240 KB and 500 KB, no compression artifacts
• Prohibitions: no hats, headphones, uniforms, large jewelry or accessories, no editing filters, retouching, shadows, stamps, watermarks or text on the photo

Step-by-Step Process

• Photo Size and Crop: Ensure your photo measures exactly 35 × 45 mm with the head height between 32–36 mm and chin-to-bottom margin 2–5 mm by using a metric ruler or a visa‐photo editing template.
• Background and Lighting: Position the subject against a plain white or light-grey background at least 5 m away, use even, diffused frontal lighting to eliminate shadows on the face and behind the head.
• Head Position and Framing: Center the face horizontally and vertically, keep the camera at eye level, maintain a full-frontal view with shoulders squared and hair clear of the eyes.
• Expression and Accessories: Adopt a neutral expression with mouth closed and eyes open, remove glasses, hats or head coverings (unless worn for religious reasons, ensuring ears remain visible).
• Image Quality and Printing: Capture in color at a minimum of 600 dpi, avoid any digital retouching or red-eye correction, print on high-quality matte or glossy photographic paper ensuring true-to-life skin tones.
• Attaching and Labeling: Affix two identical photos to your visa application form using glue or photo corners (no staples), write your full name and passport number lightly on the back with a pencil.

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact dimensions: use a 35 mm × 45 mm photo with head height between 31 mm and 36 mm to fit Zambia’s strict template and prevent automatic rejections
• Neutral expression and centered head: maintain a straight face with closed mouth, open eyes and level gaze to ensure clear, consistent facial recognition and avoid manual refusal
• Plain white background and uniform lighting: shoot against a pure white or light gray backdrop with diffused light to eliminate shadows and color casts that often cause photo failures
• Remove glasses and headgear: avoid eyewear, tinted lenses or hats unless for approved religious reasons to prevent reflections or occlusions that immigration officers will reject
• High-quality print and no digital alterations: use professional-grade photo paper without filters or retouching to preserve natural skin tones and sharpness which are critical for biometric checks

Conclusion

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