- Dimensions: 413x531 pixels
- Resolution: 300 DPI
- The photograph must be in color
- A single-color light background that does not blend with the skin tone or clothing
- The height of the face constitutes approx. ⅔ of the height of the photograph
- The face (nose) and gaze should be directed straight into the camera
- The photo must show you from your shoulders to the top of your head
- There should be a small space above the head.
- No dark glasses on the eyes or in the hair (except for blind people).
- No head coverings, scarves, or shawls (except for religious reasons).
- The photo must not be overexposed or underexposed.
- Avoid large light contrasts.
- Do not take the photo in a car, and do not send photos from weddings or vacations.
- Do not use beauty filters.
How to take a complying photo
Tip: Watch short video tutorials on taking and editing photos on your phone or computer.
Location and lighting
It is best to take photos in natural daylight. Stand with your back to a light, solid-colored background (such as a wall) and face a source of sufficiently strong diffused light.
- Indoors, it is best to stand opposite a window with curtains or a light curtain to diffuse the light. Direct sunlight should not shine directly on your face.
- If you have a window on the side, it's okay as long as the differences in lighting on both sides of your face are not too large. To balance the difference, you can try using a flash or indoor lighting.
- Outdoors, take photos in the shade or when the sun is behind clouds.
If your photograph is blurry, has dull colors, unclear contours, and contains image noise, it means you are shooting in insufficient lighting. In such cases:
- If you are indoors, turn on all available lighting, and use flash. Light falling from above or below will create unattractive shadows on your face. It's best to face the light source when taking photos. Using a ring light, if available, is very suitable.
- If you are facing a lack of light outdoors, try to find a better spot or wait for more light.
You can take a photo e.g. in front of a single-color light wall opposite a window with a curtain.
Body and Camera Positioning
- Your nose and gaze are directed straight into the lens; the head is not turned sideways.
- Shoulders are at the same height and distance from the lens (do not twist your shoulders).
- Keep your hands hanging down along your body (except when taking selfies with the front camera of a phone).
- Avoid tilting your head forward, backward, or to the sides.
- Adjust your hair before taking the photo so that it does not cover important parts of your face.
- Keep your mouth closed, without a pronounced smile, and avoid puckering your lips (duck face).
- Hold the camera lens at eye level and parallel to the ground; do not tilt it forward, backward, or to the sides.
- Avoid taking photos from above or below.
Common Mistakes When Taking Photos
Hands should not be visible in the frame.
An untrimmed photocopy of a paper photograph.
Direct sunlight and shadows of objects.
Hair in the face, dark background blending with hair color.
The background color blends with the color of the face or clothing.
Sunglasses and pursed lips.
Head tilt.
Cap and sunglasses.
The gaze and nose are not directed towards the lens.
The shot starts from the waist instead of the shoulders.
The shoulders are not at the same height.
The image is tilted (the device was not horizontal during shooting).
A large light contrast between the left and right sides.
There must be free space above the head.
Photo taken from an elevated angle, teeth exposed.
Low resolution or poor quality.
