Plan for Germany

High-quality photos are indispensable for biometric documents like visas. Adhering to the requirements outlined here is crucial to accurately prepare your visa photo and avoid unnecessary delays.

Visa Photo Requirements: Ensuring Your Application’s Success

Format:

• Your face should occupy 70 to 80 percent of the photo, equating to a height of 32 – 36mm. Photos with faces measuring less than 27mm or more than 40mm will be rejected.
• Maintain an appropriate distance and centering when posing for the photo. Only one person should be visible, with no other individuals or objects.
• Avoid background shadows that may obscure your features.

Focus:

• Ensure your photo is sharply focused, clear, and has adequate contrast. Blurry, overexposed, or low-contrast images will not be accepted.

Lighting:

• Opt for even lighting that is neither too dark nor too light. Avoid shadows across the face, flash reflections, or red-eye effects.

Background:

• Choose a neutral gray backdrop for your photo. Light-colored faces and hair should be photographed against a medium-gray background, while darker faces and hair should be against a light-gray backdrop.

Photo Quality:

• Photos must be printed on high-quality paper with a resolution of at least 600dpi, particularly for digital camera shots. Ensure the photo is clean, with natural colors, and free from pixelation or damage.

Head and Eyes:

• Look directly at the camera with open eyes, ensuring hair or glasses frames do not obscure your eyes. Avoid flash reflections on eyeglass lenses and refrain from wearing tinted glasses or sunglasses.
• Hats or head coverings are generally not permitted, except for religious reasons. If allowed, ensure your entire face is visible from chin to forehead.

Children:

• For children aged 9 and under, the face should occupy 50 – 80% of the photo, measuring between 22 and 36mm from the bottom of the chin to the crown.
• Faces measuring less than 17mm or more than 40mm may result in photo rejection.

Babies and Very Young Children:

• Children aged 5 and under should adhere to the same facial measurements as those aged 9 and under. They do not need to maintain a neutral expression or look directly at the camera, and their heads do not need to be centered in the photo.
• Babies under one year are not required to have their eyes open for the photo.