head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Estonia EU blue card photo size is 40 × 50 mm. Plain light background without foreign objects or patterns. Head occupies 70–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 40 × 50 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 70–80% of photo height |
| Background | Plain light background without foreign objects or patterns. |
| Pose | Full face, looking directly into the camera. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, no smile, mouth closed. |
| Glasses | Lenses must not be tinted or reflective; frame must not cover the eyes. See full rules → |
| Lighting | No overexposure, underexposure, defects, or unnatural colours. |
| Head covering | No head coverings or headphones, except for officially permitted religious cases. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 40 × 50 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 4 × 5 cm |
| Inches | 1.57 × 1.97″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 472 × 591 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 945 × 1181 px |
Estonia work permit photos are reviewed by the immigration authority and are typically biometrically checked against the applicant's passport photo. The review confirms dimensions, background, lighting and that the face is unobstructed. The work permit card or stamp uses the same ICAO 9303 standard as biometric passports.
Work permits are referenced at workplace verification, at border crossings and during permit renewals. A photo that matches the passport biometric template streamlines verification across all three contexts.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Estonia EU blue card applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
How to take it
Background: plain light
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 70–80 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 40 × 50 mm.
Clear lenses only, no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, no smile, mouth closed
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 6 (3 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 28 (4 × 7) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
| Authority | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia |
|---|---|
| Source | Photo requirements 2024 PDF |
| Verified |
Questions
The recommended size for the Estonia EU blue card photo is 40 × 50 mm. The head occupies 70–80% of the photo height. Work permit applications typically use the same biometric standard as Estonia passports.
Sometimes. If your visa or passport photo was taken within the last six months and meets the work permit requirements, reusing it may be acceptable.
Plain light background without foreign objects or patterns. Even, shadow-free lighting is critical because work permits often go through both automated and manual review stages, and any inconsistency between them slows the application.
Most work permit applications accept photos taken within the last six months. Submit a photo that reflects your current appearance because the permit card is checked at workplaces and border crossings throughout its validity period.
No. Uniforms, military or law-enforcement clothing, religious headwear (except for permanent religious exception), or any clothing that obscures the neckline is typically rejected for Estonia work permit photos.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the Estonia work permit authority rejects the photo and you supply the rejection notice.
40 × 50 mm = 4 × 5 cm = 1.57 × 1.97 inches. At 300 dpi that is 472 × 591 pixels; at 600 dpi, 945 × 1181 pixels.
No head coverings or headphones, except for officially permitted religious cases. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.
Yes. The same 40 × 50 mm format and head size apply to: consular, document, EU long-term residence permit, ID card, passport, residence card for family member of an EU citizen.