Visa photo
Photos cause a large share of refusals: a shadow on the face, a dark background, a picture of a printed picture. Check yours here and we will tell you what is wrong while the application is still unsent.
Check my photoPhoto check
The photo is processed on the fly and is not stored on the server.
Requirements
- A white or light background
- A sharp image with no glare, shadows or blur
- Hair does not cover the face
- No glasses or other objects
- Looking straight ahead, as for a passport
- Not a scan or a photo of a printed photograph
Examples: what works and what does not
Requirements differ between countries in the details, but the mistakes are always the same. The first frame shows how it should look; the other three are the most common slip-ups.
What a good photo looks like
- Face straight on, eyes on the camera, neutral expression — no smile, no squint.
- The head is centred and takes up about half the height of the frame, with clear space above it.
- The background is white or very light and even: no furniture, patterns, shadows or other people.
- Even lighting: face the window rather than turning your back to it, and stand half a metre to a metre away from the wall.
- Shoulders are visible and nothing covers the face — no glasses, headwear or hair across it.
Common mistakes
Too far away
The head takes up less than a third of the frame — cropping it to size will leave the photo blurry.
Top of the head cut off
You need clear space above the head: without it the frame cannot be brought up to requirements.
Head tilted
Hold straight, with the camera at eye level — not from below or above.
Shadow on the background
Step half a metre to a metre away from the wall and face the window.
Background not plain
You need an even light background with no furniture, patterns or other people in the frame.
Glasses and glare
Better to take glasses off: glare or tinted lenses hide the eyes, and that means a refusal.
Headwear
Hats and caps are not accepted. Religious headwear is allowed as long as it does not cover the outline of the face.
Requirements by country
Would rather not deal with the photo?
We will handle the whole visa — check the photo ourselves and fit it to the requirements.