News and guides · 339 articles
What changed in passport, visa and residence photo rules — every update dated and sourced.
GermanyFrom 1 July 2026, Germany's basic welfare benefit Bürgergeld was renamed Grundsicherung, with stricter savings checks and sanctions — the change applies to Ukrainians under temporary protection too.
FranceSince 1 January 2026, France has raised the French-language level required for naturalisation from B1 to B2 and added a mandatory civic exam. Residence-permit thresholds changed too: A2 for first multi-year permits and B1 for resident cards.
EU
UkraineAlongside extending temporary protection to March 2028, EU countries agreed on a new condition: men of military age applying for the first time must prove they left Ukraine legally.
Czech RepublicUkrainians who passed the April 2026 expression-of-interest screening for Czechia's special long-term residence permit (ZDP) under Lex Ukraine can register for biometrics from October to 31 December 2026. Here is how that stage works and what to check before registration opens.
United KingdomThe UK Home Office has raised the annual compliance thresholds for universities sponsoring international students. The changes target institutions, not a blanket refusal of genuine applicants, but students should check their sponsor and course before applying.
IsraelIsrael's mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) system requires applicants from visa-exempt countries to upload a digital scan of their passport's biographic page. The system enforces strict upload rules: files must be in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format and cannot exceed 2MB in size. The scan must clearly display the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) to allow the system to automatically extract the traveler's details. Failure to meet these technical requirements will prevent the application from being submitted.
EU
Poland
Hungary+2In accordance with EU Regulation 2019/1157, from August 3, 2026, all old formats of residence permits for family members of EU citizens and national ID cards that do not contain biometric data will become invalid. This applies to documents issued in Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Greece, and other EU countries. Holders of such documents must contact migration authorities in advance to replace them with new biometric cards. In addition, in Poland, the application procedure changes from April 27, 2026 — it becomes fully electronic via the MOS 2.0 portal.
BahamasApplying for a Bahamas eVisa requires strict adherence to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' photo specifications. For 2026, applicants must provide a 2x2 inch digital photo with a white or off-white background. Key rules include mandatory covered shoulders, visible hairlines and ears, and a strict ban on military or civil servant badges. While document checklists mention PDF formats, the portal requires JPEG, PNG, or BMP for the photo itself.
HungaryThe Hungarian immigration authority (OIF) requires strict adherence to technical parameters when uploading photos through the Enter Hungary electronic system. Applicants, including Ukrainians, applying for or renewing a residence permit must provide a digital photo measuring 35x45 mm, in .jpeg format (.png format is not accepted), and no larger than 3 MB. The photo must be taken no earlier than 3 months before submitting the application. Failure to comply with these requirements may lead to processing delays or the need to re-upload documents.
BotswanaApplying for a Botswana eVisa requires strict adherence to digital file specifications. Applicants must upload a passport-style JPG photo that is heavily compressed to under 30 KB. Additionally, unlike many other systems, Botswana requires all supporting documents—such as passport copies, flight itineraries, and hotel bookings—to be merged into exactly one PDF file not exceeding 5 MB.
IndiaThe Government of India has officially launched the e-OCI electronic card system, fully transitioning new applicants to a digital format from July 2026. Along with this, control over the technical requirements for document uploads has been tightened: the photograph must be on a light, but not white, background, and the digital signature must have a strict 1:3 proportion.
GermanyIn July 2026, Germany passed the Migration Administration Digitalization Act (MDWG). The main change is the ability to reuse biometric data (photos and fingerprints) when renewing an electronic residence permit (eAT). For adults, the data will be stored for 7 years, and for children, 5 years. This will relieve foreigners, including Ukrainians, of the need to personally visit the Ausländerbehörde every time.
Equatorial Guinea has introduced an electronic visa (eVisa) system administered by VFS Global. For a successful application, travelers must strictly adhere to the digital photo requirements, specifically uploading a 4x6 cm image on any light background. Standard European formats (3.5x4.5 cm) may lead to delays or rejection.
Official photo requirements for the Gabon electronic visa (e-Visa) in 2026: exact size of 35x45 mm, no shadows, and photo age of no more than 6 months.
EUA comprehensive guide on how to use the new Frontex 'Travel to Europe' mobile app for the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Learn the step-by-step process for scanning your biometric passport's NFC chip, the strict requirements for taking a compliant facial recognition selfie, and how to avoid common errors before your Schengen border crossing.
MadagascarIn 2026, applicants must upload a digital biometric photo to obtain a tourist eVisa for Madagascar. Official requirements specify a 35x45 mm size, a plain white background, and a JPEG or PNG file format. Failure to meet these standards is a common cause of application processing delays.
USAIn July 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans for a modernized passport application system. The upcoming feature will allow applicants to use their smartphone or computer cameras to take passport photos at home. The system will utilize real-time facial recognition to instantly verify the applicant's identity and ensure the photo meets official standards, eliminating the need to visit retail pharmacies or photo studios. The new process is expected to roll out in the coming months, though traditional in-person photo submission will remain an option.
DenmarkA detailed overview of the official requirements of the Danish National Police for visa, passport, and residence permit photos in 2026. Learn about the correct dimensions, background, lighting, glasses, and headwear requirements to avoid document rejection.
Ivory CoastUnderstanding the photo requirements for an Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) visa depends on how you apply. For traditional embassy applications, a physical 35x45 mm photograph is mandatory. However, for the popular e-Visa processed through the official SNEDAI portal, applicants do not need to upload a digital photo during the online pre-enrollment. Instead, the official photograph and fingerprints are captured biometrically upon arrival at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan.
The Government of South Sudan has established strict technical requirements for uploading documents on the official electronic visa (eVisa) portal. All applicants, including citizens of Ukraine, must provide a 5x5 cm (2x2 inches) photo on a white background. The main difficulty for many users is the strict file size limit — the system does not accept documents larger than 293 KB. This rule applies to both the photograph and other supporting documents (passport copy, yellow fever vaccination certificate, etc.).
KyrgyzstanWith the elimination of 'visa runs' in 2026, more travelers to Kyrgyzstan must use the official eVisa portal. A critical step in the application is uploading a digital photo that strictly meets the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' specifications, including a 35x45 mm dimension and a maximum file size of 300 KB.
ChileThere are two separate routes into Chile, and their photo requirements differ. The Migration Service (SERMIG) page on the temporary residence permit lists descriptive conditions only — no millimetres, no pixels, no resolution, no file-size cap. The consular page on prior authorisation and visas asks for a passport-size photo of 5 × 5 cm.
EcuadorThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador has established clear technical requirements for digital photos for visa applications via the eVISAS system. Applicants must upload a JPG photo measuring 5x5 cm, with a file size of no more than 1 MB. A white background, neutral facial expression, and fully visible ears are mandatory.
Dominican RepublicA detailed overview of the official photo requirements for obtaining a Dominican Republic visa in 2026. Learn about the correct 4x5 cm size, background requirements, facial expression, and common applicant mistakes. This information is especially relevant for Ukrainians planning a long-term stay, work, or business in the country.
Pick your document and upload a selfie — we crop it to size, replace the background and check it. Free. The sizes come from the same official sources as the news.
