Biometric passport at a consulate 2026: how the photo works and when you must bring one
Ukraine
In short. At the consulate your passport photo is taken on site. You bring your own 10×15 cm photo print only for children under 12 who are absent at submission, and for people who cannot move.
- Adults and children aged 12 and over are photographed by a consulate staff member during document submission — you do not need to bring a separate photo.
- Your own colour 10×15 cm photo print is submitted only for children under 12 who are absent during submission, and for persons who cannot move for health reasons.
- Fingerprints are scanned from age 12; for children under 3, due to technical difficulties, it is advised to photograph them in advance.
- The passport is issued for 4 years to persons under 16 and for 10 years from age 16.
- Consulates accept visitors by prior online appointment only; submission and collection of the passport are in person.
If you are applying for a biometric passport at a Ukrainian consulate or embassy abroad, the main thing about the photo is that in most cases you do not bring a ready-made photo print at all. The digital facial image for the contactless electronic chip is created by a consulate staff member on site during document submission, together with fingerprint scanning.
When the photo is taken on site, and when you need your own print
As a general rule, an adult and a child aged 12 and over are photographed directly at the consulate when submitting the application. So there is no need to prepare a separate "studio" photo — it is replaced by the digital photographing taken during processing.
Your own printed photo is submitted only in specific cases:
- a child under 12 who is absent during document submission (one of the parents submits on their behalf) — one photo print is added for scanning;
- a person who cannot move independently due to a long-term health disorder and needs urgent treatment abroad — one photo print is also submitted.
Consulates separately draw attention to children under 3: due to technical difficulties, photographing such a child on site can be tricky, so it is recommended to prepare the photo in advance and bring it with you.
What the "spare" photo print must look like
If your case is one where the photo is submitted by you, it must meet the requirements of the State Migration Service of Ukraine:
- one colour photo print measuring 10 × 15 cm of studio quality (most consulates ask for matte — check the exact surface requirement on your branch's page);
- a uniform light background (white or light grey) without shadows, coloured or gradient backgrounds;
- the head takes up 70 to 80% of the frame, the upper shoulders 20–30%;
- a neutral facial expression, mouth closed, teeth not visible;
- head and neck without turns or tilts, gaze straight ahead, face fully open;
- the shot is recent, sharp and contrasty, without defects or retouching.
These are the same parameters as for a biometric photo in Ukraine, so a properly prepared 35×45 mm photo made under these rules is easy to print in the 10×15 cm format too.
Important: for a child under 12, most branches and consulates ask specifically for one colour 10×15 cm photo print for scanning, but some consulates additionally require a 3.5×4.5 cm photo print (or two). The exact list, formats and surface requirements for the photo differ by country, so check your consulate's page in advance.
Other important details of the process in 2026
- Fingerprints are scanned from age 12. So a child aged 12 and over must be personally present during document submission together with one of the parents.
- Passport validity: 4 years for persons under 16 and 10 years for persons aged 16 and over.
- Appointment and presence: consular services are provided only by prior online appointment; the application and collection of the ready passport must be done in person.
Before your visit, be sure to check your consulate's or embassy's page: the list of documents and appointment details may differ depending on the country of stay.
What this means for you
For most applicants the conclusion is simple: you do not need to prepare a printed photo specially for the consulate — you will be photographed on site. Taking care of your own 10×15 cm photo print is worthwhile only for those applying for a passport for a child under 12 without their presence, processing a document for a person who cannot move, or preparing a photo for a very young child under 3.
Official sources
Questions
- Do I need to bring a ready-made photo for a foreign passport to the consulate?
- No. An adult and a child aged 12 and over are photographed by a consulate staff member during document submission. You bring your own photo print only for children under 12 who are absent during submission, and for persons who cannot move for health reasons.
- What size must the photo print be, if it does still need to be submitted?
- One colour photo print measuring 10×15 cm of studio quality: a uniform light background (white or light grey) without shadows, the head takes up 70 to 80% of the frame, a neutral expression, mouth closed, no turns or tilts of the head. Most consulates ask for a matte surface; for a child under 12, some consulates additionally ask for a 3.5×4.5 cm photo — check the list and requirements on your consulate's page.
- From what age must a child be present in person?
- From age 12, because fingerprints are scanned from that age. A child aged 12 and over submits documents in person together with one of the parents or a legal representative.
- What about a child under 3?
- Due to technical difficulties in photographing small children on site, consulates advise preparing and bringing a colour 10×15 cm photo print in advance (usually matte; check on your consulate's page).
- For how long is a foreign passport issued?
- For 4 years to persons under 16 and for 10 years to persons aged 16 and over. Processing and collection take place by prior online appointment and in person.