Photo for an Austria national D visa and residence permit for Ukrainians (2026)
Austria
In short. For an Austrian national D visa and residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) you need a colour biometric photo of 35×45 mm to the ICAO standard: full-face, neutral expression, closed mouth, light plain background (ideally grey), without glasses that cause glare, taken no earlier than 6 months ago.
- Photo size is exactly 35×45 mm, in colour, to the ICAO standard.
- The head occupies approximately 2/3 of the frame, the face height (from chin to crown) is up to 36 mm; the distance between the centres of the eyes is at least 8 mm (10 mm is optimal).
- The background is light and plain, ideally grey (30-50%), without patterns or shadows; the expression is neutral, the mouth closed, the gaze straight at the camera.
- The photo must be no older than 6 months.
- The D visa is submitted at the competent Austrian consulate; the residence permit — also at the consulate from abroad, and in Austria at MA 35 (Vienna), the Magistrat or the Bezirkshauptmannschaft.
For an application for a national D visa (category D) and an Austrian residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel), the same photo is used — a colour biometric image of 35×45 mm that complies with the ICAO standard. Below are the exact official requirements of the BMI and oesterreich.gv.at, the places of submission and the most frequent reasons for rejection.
Photo requirements
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Size | 35 mm wide × 45 mm high |
| Colour | Colour (black and white prohibited) |
| Head in frame | Approximately 2/3 of the image; face height from chin to crown — max. 36 mm |
| Distance between the eyes | Minimum 8 mm between the centres of the eyes (10 mm optimal) |
| Position | Full-face, head straight, without tilt or turn |
| Facial expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and looking at the camera |
| Background | Plain light, ideally grey (30-50%), without patterns or shadows |
| Glasses | Permitted if the eyes are clearly visible; without glare, tinting or sunglasses |
| Headwear | Prohibited, except for religious or medical reasons (the face from chin to forehead must be visible) |
| Recency | No older than 6 months |
| Paper/quality | Smooth glossy paper without texture, a sharp image, even lighting, without shadows or glare |
Where to submit
- National D visa: submitted in person at the competent Austrian consulate (at your place of legal residence). The fee is 195 euros (for children under 6 — 97 euros).
- Residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel): the first request from abroad is also submitted through the Austrian representation (consulate). In Austria the application is processed and issued by the competent authority of your place of residence — in Vienna this is MA 35, in other federal states it is the Magistrat or the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (under the direction of the Landeshauptmann).
Some consulates accept documents through the VFS Global service centre — check the procedure on the website of your representation.
Why photos are rejected
- Incorrect size (not 35×45 mm) or cropped margins.
- The head too large or too small, the face above 36 mm or the eyes below the middle of the frame.
- A smile, an open mouth, a tilt or turn of the head.
- A dark, coloured or patterned background, shadows behind.
- Glare on glasses, tinted lenses, closed eyes.
- Red eyes, uneven lighting, lack of sharpness, low contrast.
- An old photo (over 6 months) or one that has already been used.
How to prepare the photo
Take a full-face photo in even daylight against a light plain wall, without shadows behind. Keep a neutral expression, close your mouth, and look straight at the camera; remove your glasses if there is glare. Make sure the head occupies about 2/3 of the frame. Then crop to the 35×45 mm format, observing the face height and the position of the eyes.
Related guides
Official sources
Questions
- What size is the photo for an Austrian national D visa?
- Exactly 35×45 mm, in colour, to the ICAO standard. The head occupies approximately 2/3 of the frame (face height up to 36 mm), and the distance between the centres of the eyes is at least 8 mm.
- Can I be photographed wearing glasses?
- Yes, provided the eyes are clearly and distinctly visible. Glare on the lenses, tinted lenses and sunglasses are prohibited; the frame must not cover the eyes.
- Is the photo the same for the D visa and for the residence permit?
- Yes. Both for the national D visa and for the residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) the same biometric photo of 35×45 mm to the ICAO standard is used, taken no earlier than 6 months ago.
- Where are residence permit documents submitted?
- The first request from abroad is submitted through the Austrian consulate. In Austria the application is processed by the authority of your place of residence: in Vienna — MA 35, in other federal states — the Magistrat or the Bezirkshauptmannschaft.