High quality photos are essential for use in biometric documents. It is essential to comply with these requirements presented here so you can prepare you photo for the visa as accurately as possible and avoid unnecessary delays.

FORMAT

When taking the photo for a visa make sure that your face takes 70 to 80 percent of the whole photo. This corresponds to a height of 32 – 36mm. If your face measures less than 27mm or more than 40mm on the photo than it will be rejected.

Don’t pose to close, too far or not in a centered position when taking a photo. The photo must show only one person, no other persons or objects are acceptable. Avoid shadows on the background of your photo as well.

FOCUS

Your photo must also have a sharp focus, be clear and have proper contrast. Make sure the photo is not blurred, is too light or without enough contrast.

LIGHTNING

Take your photo with even lightning, it should not be too dark or too light. Shadows across face, flash reflections or red eyes should be avoided.

BACKGROUND

Take your photo against a neutral gray color. If your face and hair are light-colored take the picture against a medium-gray background. Take your photo against a light-gray background if you have a darker face and hair.

PHOTO QUALITY

The photo must be printed on high-quality paper with a print resolution of at least 600dpi, especially when taken with a digital camera. Your photo must be clean, with natural colors, not pixelated or damaged in any way. Photos can be in black and white or color.

HEAD AND EYES

When taking the photo look directly at the camera and keep your eyes open. Be careful not to cover your eyes with hair or glass frames. If you wear eyeglasses make sure not to have flash reflections off the lenses on your photo and don’t wear tinted glasses or sunglasses.

Hats or head covering are not permitted generally, but exception can be made in particular for religious reasons. If a head covering is allowed than your face must be visible from the chin to the forehead.

CHILDREN

For children aged 9 and under, you should follow these requirements:

The face should take up 50 – 80% of the photo. This means that the face from the bottom of the chin to the crown (the top of the head, not the top of the hair) should measure between 22 and 36mm.

You photos can be rejected only if the face measures less than 17mm or more than 40mm.

BABIES AND VERY YOUNG CHILDREN

For children aged 5 and under, the same facial measurements apply as for children aged 9 and under. Children aged 5 and under do not need to have a neutral expression or look directly at the camera, and their heads do not have to be centered in the photo. For babies under one year is not required to have their eyes open.

Please follow these guidelines to have your Passport Photos taken. If you come to the Embassy with wrong Passport Photos you will need to get new ones done.!