Photo for a Swedish residence permit for Ukrainians 2026: size 35×45 mm and biometrics
Sweden
In short. For a Swedish residence permit card, the photo and fingerprints are taken on site — at a Migrationsverket service centre or at the embassy. The general document photo format in Sweden is 35×45 mm, light background, neutral expression.
- Biometrics (photo + fingerprints) for the residence permit card are taken directly at the appointment — you do not need to bring a ready-made photo for the card itself.
- The general Swedish document photo standard is 35×45 mm, head height 31–36 mm (≈70–80% of the frame), on a light background (white, cream or light grey).
- The card is sent to your home within 2 weeks (via a Migrationsverket service centre) or issued within up to 4 weeks (via an embassy/consulate).
- The card is valid for the duration of the permit, but a maximum of 3 years (5 years for EU long-term residents or for cards issued before 2022).
- For Ukrainians under the Temporary Protection Directive, the period has been extended to 4 March 2027; the extension application must be submitted by 4 March 2026 (the e-service is open from 28 January).
Short answer
For a residence permit card (uppehållstillstånd) in Sweden, the photograph and fingerprints are taken on site — during the visit to a Migrationsverket service centre or to a Swedish embassy/consulate. These are biometric data that are written to the card's chip, so you do not need to bring your own printed photo for the card itself. The general Swedish document photo standard (for example, for a passport) is 35×45 mm.
Where the photo and biometrics are taken
After a decision is made, each applicant books a time and visits in person:
- A Migrationsverket service centre — the card is sent to your home address (registered in the population register) within 2 weeks.
- A Swedish embassy or consulate abroad — the card is issued there; production and delivery take up to 4 weeks.
To the appointment you need to bring: a valid passport of your country of origin or a Swedish identity document, and your old card (if you have one). You do not need to bring a separate printed photo for the card.
Requirements for the 35×45 mm document photo
This is the general Swedish standard (Swedish Police requirements) for document photos; for the residence permit card itself the photo is taken on site.
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 35×45 mm |
| Head height | 31–36 mm (≈70–80% of the frame) |
| Background | light: white, cream or light grey, without patterns or shadows |
| Facial expression | neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight into the camera |
| Glasses | clear glasses allowed if the frame does not cover the eyes and there are no reflections; sunglasses and tinted lenses prohibited |
| Colour | colour, even lighting |
| Recency | no older than 6 months |
The head must be centred, without headwear (the exception being religious headwear that does not cover the face).
Ukrainians under temporary protection
Children under 6 do not have their fingerprints taken; people whose fingerprints cannot be taken for physical reasons are likewise exempt. Under the Temporary Protection Directive, the period of validity has been extended until 4 March 2027. If your permit expires in 2026, the extension application must be submitted by 4 March 2026; the e-service for submitting the application is open from 28 January to 4 March 2026. After a decision, an appointment is booked for photography and fingerprints.
Common reasons for rejection
- Dark, coloured or uneven background, shadows behind.
- Smiling, open mouth or tilted head.
- Tinted or sunglasses, reflections on the lenses, a frame covering the eyes, closed eyes.
- Old photo (more than 6 months) or poor quality.
Card validity period
The card is valid for the same period as the permit, but a maximum of 3 years (for EU long-term residents or for cards issued before 2022 — up to 5 years). At each card renewal the photo and fingerprints are taken anew, because they are stored only in the card's chip and are not kept separately.
Related guides
Official sources
Questions
- Do I need to bring a ready-made photo for the Swedish residence permit card?
- No. For the residence permit card itself, the photograph and fingerprints are taken on site during the visit to Migrationsverket or the embassy. The biometrics are written to the card's chip.
- What size is a document photo in Sweden and can you wear glasses?
- The general format is 35×45 mm with a head height of 31–36 mm (≈70–80% of the frame), on a light background and with a neutral expression. Clear glasses are allowed if the frame does not cover the eyes and there are no reflections; sunglasses and tinted lenses are prohibited.
- How long is the wait for the residence permit card?
- If the biometrics were taken at a Migrationsverket service centre, the card is sent to your home within 2 weeks. Through an embassy — up to 4 weeks.
- Until what date does temporary protection apply for Ukrainians in Sweden?
- The Temporary Protection Directive has been extended until 4 March 2027. If your permit expires in 2026, the extension application should be submitted by 4 March 2026; the e-service is open from 28 January.