head 71–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceFederal Foreign Office of Germany
Verified
Quick answer: A Germany national visa (Type D) photo must be 35 × 45 mm. Plain light background. Head occupies 71–80% of photo height (32–36 mm chin to crown). Neutral expression, eyes fully visible. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 71–80% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Head height (mm) | 32–36 mm chin to crown |
| Background | Plain light background. |
| Pose | Full face, no tilt or rotation. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible. See full rules → |
| Lighting | No shadows or reflections. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
Germany National D visa (for stays >90 days) photos follow the same Auswärtiges Amt / BSI standard as Schengen visa: 35×45mm, head 32-36mm, light grey biometric background preferred. National D visa is used for work, study, family reunification, and other long-term purposes — and applicants almost always have biometrics + photo recaptured at the German embassy / consulate or VFS center even after submission.
Two identical paper photos required. Same anti-glasses bias as Schengen visa applications.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Germany national visa (Type D) photos get rejected.
Common reasons a document photo is rejected, checked against the requirements Federal Foreign Office of Germany publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| White background rejected (light grey preferred) | Re-shoot against light grey biometric backdrop |
| Glasses worn | Re-shoot without glasses |
| Only one paper photo submitted | Print second identical copy |
| Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
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: 71–80 % of the photo height (32–36 mm)
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Eyes fully visible
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
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″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
| Authority | Federal Foreign Office of Germany |
|---|---|
| Source | German national visa photo examples |
| Verified |
Questions
The Germany national visa (Type D) photo must be 35 × 45 mm. The head must occupy 71–80% of the photo height.
Plain light background. The wall should be evenly lit, with no shadow around the head and no pattern. You don’t need a studio backdrop: the tool sets the right background colour.
Consulates usually ask for a photo taken within the last six months, sometimes within three. Take a new one that looks like you today.
Often yes, but not always: tourist, student, work and transit visas can have different size or background rules. Compare the requirements of each Germany visa — if they match, one photo will do.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the consulate’s rejection notice.
Eyes must be fully visible. If you keep them on, tilt them slightly downwards by lifting the arms a little above your ears: this usually moves reflections of a window or lamp off the lenses.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 pixels.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: electronic residence permit (eAT), EU blue card, EU long-term residence permit, ID card (Personalausweis), opportunity card (Chancenkarte), passport.