7 Common Mistakes Travelers Make with Vietnam’s E-Visa Photos (and How to Avoid Them)

Applying for a Vietnam e-visa is very straightforward: fill in the online form, upload your documents and photos, pay the e-visa fee, and wait for approval. Yet many travelers are surprised when their application is delayed or even rejected, a large part due to the photo upload (you can also read more about 7 most common issues that get your e-visa delayed).

Feedbacks from our guests:

I have tried like 10 photos of my daughter and it keeps saying: 

Match:  74.68% Portrait photo was captured from another source. Your application may be rejected. Please upload another photo

I am not sure what to do...

Ms. Katie Elles

While it looks like a minor step, the e-visa photo is one of the most common reasons for processing problems. In fact, more travelers get stuck at this stage than at payment or document submission. Here are the most frequently encountered issues with your photo submission and how to avoid them.

Using the wrong background

One of the most frequent mistakes is submitting a photo with a colored or patterned background. Many travelers simply crop a picture from their phone gallery, maybe taken at home, at a cafe, on a couch, or even on the beach and assume it will work.

Vietnam’s immigration system requires a plain, white background. Any shadows, objects, or patterns can cause the photo to be rejected.

How to avoid:

• Use your most recently taken photo for passport or ID
• If you do not have one, take the photo against a blank wall or white sheet (but avoid shadow and glare).
• If that’s not possible, use an online passport photo editor to remove or whiten the background to meet the photo requirements.

Incorrect size and ratio

Another common error is uploading a photo that doesn’t match the size requirements. Some travelers use the square format photo, which is commonly used in countries like the U.S.

The Vietnam e-visa requires a portrait-style photo of 4×6 cm (approx. 40×60 mm) ratio, saved as a JPG file under 2 MB. Submitting the wrong size may cause the system to reject your upload.

How to avoid:

• Use a free online photo tool such as https://photogov.net/documents/vn-visa-photo/ that helps with background and crop the photos to the correct size.

Before uploading, check the file size and dimensions in your phone or computer. Avoid uploading larger than 2 MB photos to avoid problems with processing.

Poor lighting and shadows

Photos with uneven lighting, heavy shadows, or glare are frequently rejected. If your face isn’t clearly visible, the immigration officer cannot verify your identity.

How to avoid:

• Take the photo in a bright room with natural light.
• Stand facing the light source, avoid backlighting.
• Do not use harsh flash that creates shiny spots on your skin.

Wearing hats, glasses, or accessories

This might sound obvious, but you might be amazed how many people upload a photo wearing sunglasses, caps, or other accessories. Even clear eyeglasses can reflect light and obscure the eyes.

Vietnam e-visa photo rules require your face to be fully visible: no hats, scarves, or tinted glasses. Prescription glasses may be accepted if the eyes are clear and without glare, but it’s always safer to remove them.

How to avoid:

• Remove glasses, hats, and accessories.
• Keep your expression neutral with your mouth closed.

Using old or edited photos

Some travelers use an old passport photo taken from years ago, or they over-edit a selfie with filters, skin-smoothing, or even beauty apps. This can cause problems: the image may not match your current appearance or the photo on your passport page, and immigration officers may question your e-visa validity. This will in return result in further requests to resubmit photos or even altogether rejection.

How to avoid:

• Use a recent photo (taken within the last 6 months), especially for younger travelers.
• Avoid filters or Photoshop edits that change your natural appearance.

Uploading a poor passport page scan

Besides the portrait photo, the Vietnam e-visa application also requires a scan or photo of your passport’s bio-data page. Common mistakes associated with the passport page photo include tilted images, cut-off corners that do not show all the ICAO line, blurry text, or dark shadows/glares that make details unreadable.

How to avoid:

• Lay your passport flat on a well-lit surface.
• Take the photo from directly above, making sure the entire page is visible.
• Check that your passport number, name, and bar code at the bottom are sharp and legible.
• Avoid any shadow, glares or lighting issue that affect the quality of the photo

Wrong file format

Your photos must be uploaded to the e-visa application website in the form of JPG/JPEG files and under 2 MB. If it is in a different format such as PNG, HEIC or PDF make sure you convert it to JPG or JPEG format.

How to avoid:

• Convert your photo to JPG format (https://www.iloveimg.com/convert-to-jpg)
• If your photo is larger than 2 MB, compress it with a free tool before uploading.

What if I submit the unqualified photos?

Making any of these mistakes can delay your e-visa approval by several days or even weeks. In some cases, applications are outright rejected, you will have to reapply and pay the fee again. In other cases you will receive an email letting you know that you need to resubmit the photos so the immigration office can review the details again.

Afterall, these issues are entirely preventable with a few minutes of preparation.

Our tips for getting a perfect photo for your e-visa application

Before submitting your photos, open it well and double check whether it meets all the above requirements. This will not only save you extra money on a re-do application but also your time and frustration. Please run through this quick checklist:

• White background, evenly lit.
• Photo size: 4×6 cm ratio, JPG, under 2 MB.
• Face visible, no hats, no sunglasses, no accessories.
• Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed.
• Passport page: flat, bright, sharp, no glare, no shadow.

References:

Official guidelines on photo: https://evisa.gov.vn/instruction

Issuance of e-visas at the request of foreigners: https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn/bocongan/bothutuc/tthc?matt=26277