Australia Visa Photo from Nigeria (35×45mm DFAT)
Updated May 2026 · For Nigerian applicants · Visitor (600), Student (500), Work (482), Skilled (189)
⚠ Nigerian passport square — Australia visa rectangular
Nigerian passport is 35×35 mm square. Australia visa is 35×45 mm rectangular. Different aspect ratio — wrong size is the most common rejection at VFS Global AVAC.
Australia visa photos are 35×45 mm rectangular with plain white background, per DFAT. For Nigerian applicants the format differs from the Nigerian passport (35×35 mm square). Same spec at VFS Global AVAC locations in Lagos and Abuja.
Spec at a glance
| Size | 35 × 45 mm rectangular (NOT 35×35 square) |
| Pixels (ImmiAccount) | 900 × 1125 px minimum |
| Background | Plain white or light grey |
| Face height (chin to crown) | 32 - 36 mm |
| Glasses | Not allowed (banned 2016) |
| File format | JPEG, 500 KB - 5 MB |
| Photo age | Last 6 months |
VFS Global AVAC centres in Nigeria
- Lagos (Victoria Island) — serves southern Nigeria including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo states
- Abuja — Federal Capital Territory and northern Nigeria
Where to get the photo in Nigeria
- VFS Global AVAC on-site photo service (NGN 3,500-6,000). Photographer knows DFAT 35×45 mm spec.
- Local studio (NGN 1,200-3,000). Specify "Australia visa 35×45 mm RECTANGULAR, pure white background, DFAT compliant". Nigerian studios default to 35×35 square — need explicit instructions for rectangular.
- Free online tool at home (NGN 0). IDPhotoSnap Australia tool — 35×45 mm rectangular DFAT-compliant + ImmiAccount-ready JPEG (1200×1500 px) + print-ready PDF.
Common rejection reasons
- Wrong aspect ratio (35×35 square) — using Nigerian passport photo. Most common rejection.
- Pixel dimensions too small — ImmiAccount minimum 900×1125 px.
- Photo too old — must be within last 6 months.
- Glasses worn — banned 2016.
- Smiling or open mouth — strict neutral.
Related guides
Planning a trip? Don't forget travel insurance
Planning a trip? Travel insurance covers medical emergencies, evacuation and trip interruption abroad. SafetyWing - from $42/month, works in 180+ countries.
Get travel insurance →Affiliate link - we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Partner: SafetyWing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Australia visa photo size for Nigerian applicants?
Australia visa photos are 35×45 mm with a plain white or light grey background, per DFAT. This is LARGER and rectangular compared to the Nigerian passport (35×35 mm square). ImmiAccount portal needs JPEG minimum 900×1125 pixels. Format applies at VFS Global AVAC (Australian Visa Application Centre) locations in Lagos and Abuja.
Which Australia visa subclasses does this photo work for?
The 35×45 mm DFAT photo applies to ALL Australian visa subclasses: Visitor (600), Student (500), Temporary Skill Shortage (482), Skilled Independent (189), Employer Sponsored (186), Skilled Nominated (190), Partner / Spouse (309/100), Parent (103/143). Same spec across all categories.
How is the Australia visa photo different from a Nigerian passport photo?
Nigerian passport photos are 35×35 mm (square). Australia visa photos are 35×45 mm (rectangular — taller). The two are NOT interchangeable. Using your Nigerian passport photo for an Australia visa application will result in rejection at VFS Global AVAC — wrong aspect ratio and dimensions.
Where are VFS Global AVAC centres in Nigeria?
VFS Global operates Australian Visa Application Centres (AVAC) at two locations in Nigeria: Lagos (Victoria Island, serves southern Nigeria including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo states) and Abuja (Federal Capital Territory, serves northern Nigeria). Both accept the same 35×45 mm DFAT photo spec. Biometric data captured at the appointment.
Where can I get an Australia visa photo in Nigeria?
Three options: (1) VFS Global AVAC on-site photo service in Lagos or Abuja (NGN 3,500-6,000). Photographer knows the DFAT 35×45 mm spec. (2) Local studio at NGN 1,200-3,000 — specify "Australia visa 35×45 mm RECTANGULAR (not 35×35 square), pure white background, DFAT compliant". Nigerian studios default to 35×35 mm square passport. (3) Free online tool at home — IDPhotoSnap generates a 35×45 mm DFAT-compliant photo + ImmiAccount-ready JPEG.
How do I upload the photo to ImmiAccount?
ImmiAccount accepts JPEG photos at minimum 900×1125 pixels. Our export defaults to 1200×1500 pixels at 300 DPI, well above the minimum. File size cap typically 500 KB to 5 MB. Upload occurs during the online application before scheduling the AVAC biometric appointment.
Can I wear glasses in an Australia visa photo?
No. DFAT prohibited glasses in Australian biometric photos since 2016. Religious head covering is permitted as long as facial features (chin to forehead, both sides of face) are clearly visible.
How many photos do I need at the VFS Global AVAC appointment in Nigeria?
DFAT requires 1-2 photos at the VFS Global AVAC biometric appointment, plus the digital JPEG upload via ImmiAccount. Our print-ready PDF lays out 6 photos per A4 sheet.
Free Australia visa photo tool (DFAT compliant)
Generate 35×45 mm rectangular Australia visa photo + ImmiAccount-ready JPEG + print-ready PDF. Free, browser-only.
Open Australia photo tool →Related guides
Why Was My Passport Photo Rejected? Top 10 Reasons (2026)
Most passport photo rejections come down to 10 specific issues. Each one is fixable in 2 minutes. Here's the full diagnostic checklist with examples.
Passport Photo Size Guide: mm, Inches, Pixels (Countries)
US: 2×2 inch (51×51mm), UK: 35×45mm, Canada: 50×70mm, China: 33×48mm. Complete size reference with pixel dimensions at 300 DPI for printing.
Are AI Passport Photos Banned in 2026? (Fact-Check)
Content farms claim a new AI passport photo ban in 2026. Fact-check: no new rule. What State Dept actually prohibits and allows.
About the Author
Elena Dev, Founder of IDPhotoSnap
Elena Dev is the sole operator of IDPhotoSnap. Her work involves auditing the official photo specifications of 100+ countries against issuing-authority sources (embassies, government portals, ICAO 9303) and translating those rules into a browser-only tool that runs entirely on the user's device. The full 276-format specification dataset is published as MIT open data on GitHub. Source verification methodology and corrections policy are documented on the editorial standards page. Every article is written and reviewed by Elena Dev. Corrections: elena@idphotosnap.com.
Found this useful? Public reviews are how new readers discover IDPhotoSnap. Leave a quick Trustpilot review →