Photos for a Poland Visa and Residence Card (karta pobytu) in 2026: Requirements for Ukrainians
Poland
In short. For a Polish visa (Schengen C and national D) and a residence card you need a colour biometric photo measuring 35×45 mm against a light background, with a neutral facial expression, without glasses, taken no earlier than 6 months before submission.
- A single standard: 35×45 mm (width×height), colour, with the face taking up 70–80% of the frame.
- The background is light or white, even, with no shadows or patterns; the facial expression is neutral, mouth closed, eyes open.
- It is better to remove glasses; if you wear them all the time — the frame must not cover the eyes, with no glare and no tinted lenses.
- The photo must be taken no earlier than 6 months before submission.
- For online submission of the residence card the digital photo must be a minimum of 684×883 px, up to 2.5 MB.
Poland is the No. 1 destination for Ukrainians, and the photo requirements here are the same for a Schengen visa (type C), a national visa (type D) and a residence card (karta pobytu). This is a colour biometric photo measuring 35×45 mm against a light background, with a neutral facial expression, taken no earlier than 6 months before submission. Even a deviation of 1 mm or an unwanted glare on glasses can be grounds for refusal at the VFS desk.
Photo requirements
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Size | 35×45 mm (width×height) |
| Colour | colour, no black-and-white |
| Face in the frame | 70–80% (from the crown of the head to the top of the shoulders) |
| Background | light/white, even, with no shadows or patterns |
| Facial expression | neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, no smile |
| Glasses | better to remove; if worn permanently — the frame must not cover the eyes, no glare |
| Headwear | not allowed (except for religious reasons, with the face uncovered) |
| Age of the photo | no older than 6 months |
| Digital photo (online residence card) | minimum 684×883 px, up to 2.5 MB |
Hold your head straight and look into the lens. Hair may be loose, but must not cover the outline of the face, the eyebrows or the eyes.
Where to submit
- Visa C and D. Documents are submitted through the VFS Global visa centre in Ukraine or directly at the Polish consulate. VFS only accepts the package — the decision is made by the consul. Usually 2 identical photos plus an application form are required.
- Residence card. The application is submitted to the voivode (Urząd Wojewódzki) at your place of residence in Poland. A printed 35×45 mm photo is attached to the paper application; for online submission through the system (MOS/inPOL) you upload a digital photo at the required resolution.
Why photos get rejected
- incorrect size (not 35×45 mm) or the face taking up less than 70% of the frame;
- a dark, coloured or uneven background, shadows behind the head;
- a smile, an open mouth, a tilted head, closed eyes;
- glasses with glare, tinted lenses, a frame covering the eyes;
- an old photo (more than 6 months) or with the chin/crown cut off;
- blurry, overexposed or darkened shots.
How to prepare the photo
- Take the photo in daylight against a light-coloured wall, without shadows.
- Make a neutral expression: mouth closed, eyes open, head straight.
- Remove glasses and headwear.
- Crop the frame to the 35×45 mm format so that the face takes up 70–80%.
- Check the age — the photo must be fresh (up to 6 months).
Related guides
Official sources
Questions
- Is the photo the same for a C visa, a D visa and a residence card?
- Yes. The biometric standard is identical: 35×45 mm, light background, neutral expression, no glasses, no older than 6 months. The only difference is the number of photos and the application form, not the shot itself.
- Can you be photographed wearing glasses?
- It is better to remove them. If you wear glasses all the time, the frame must not cover the eyes, and the lenses must be transparent, with no glare or tinting. It is safer to submit a photo without glasses.
- How many photos are needed for submission?
- For a visa through VFS or the consulate you usually need 2 identical printed 35×45 mm photos. For a residence card — a printed photo attached to the paper application or a digital photo for online submission (minimum 684×883 px, up to 2.5 MB).
- How recent must the photo be?
- The photo must be taken no earlier than 6 months before the day of submission and must match your current appearance.