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The Challenge
Czech visa, residence permit, and ID card applications require 35×45mm photos with specific biometric standards. Background must be white, light grey, or light blue. Using the wrong 50×50mm passport format for visa applications results in rejection.
This is for visa and ID applications — NOT Czech passport
- Visa, residence permit, ID card, employee card: 35×45mm — this tool
- Czech passport (embassy/consulate): 50×50mm — use the passport tool instead
- Formats are not interchangeable — wrong size = automatic rejection
Czech visa and ID photo requirements
The Czech Ministry of Interior (MVČR) specifies 35×45mm photos for all third-country national applications: Schengen short-stay visas (Type C), long-stay visas (Type D), residence permits, employee cards, and Czech ID cards (občanský průkaz). Photos must show head and upper shoulders in frontal view with neutral expression, lips closed, eyes open. Background must be white, light grey, or light blue — various hues accepted. The photo must have a smooth surface and pass long-term image stability tests.
Czech visa and ID photo requirements — will your photo be accepted?
- 35×45mm dimensions with straight or rounded corners (radius 3mm ±0.5mm)
- Photo thickness 0.13-0.27mm (standard photo paper)
- Head and upper shoulders visible in frontal view
- Minimum 2mm between top of head and top edge of photo
- Eyes-to-chin distance minimum 13mm
- White, light grey, or light blue background — no shadows
- Current appearance at time of application
- Neutral expression, lips closed, eyes open
- Hair not covering face or eyes
- No sunglasses (exception: blind persons with documentation)
- No headwear except religious/medical reasons
- No retouching or digital processing of facial features
- High resolution, smooth surface, no scratches or wrinkles
- Colour photo (black and white accepted for passport only, not visa)
Common rejection reasons
- Using 50×50mm passport format instead of required 35×45mm
- Distance from top of head to photo edge less than 2mm
- Eyes-to-chin height less than 13mm
- Reflection or glare altering facial features
- Photo not showing current appearance
- Background with shadows, patterns, or unacceptable colour
- Head tilted, turned, or looking over shoulder
- Hair covering face or eyes
- Retouched or digitally modified photo
- Scratches, wrinkles, or stains on photo surface
Background colour: three options accepted
Czech Ministry of Interior officially accepts three background colours: white, light grey, and light blue, including various hues of these colours. This is more flexible than most EU countries. White is the safest universal choice. Light grey provides better contrast for fair-skinned individuals. Light blue is a uniquely Czech acceptance — few other Schengen countries allow it. Avoid cream, off-white with yellow tint, dark backgrounds, or any patterns.
How to print Czech visa photos at home
- Paper: Use photo-quality paper with smooth surface. Matte or glossy accepted.
- Paper thickness: Standard photo paper (0.13-0.27mm) — do not use regular printer paper.
- Printer settings: Select highest quality, 100% scale (no 'fit to page'), colour mode.
- Paper size: Choose 4R (102×152mm) for 4-6 photos, or A4 for larger sheets.
- Cutting: Use sharp scissors or paper trimmer. Corners may be straight or rounded (radius 3mm).
- Size verification: Final photos must measure exactly 35×45mm. Use ruler to confirm.
- Alternative: Print at any photo shop specifying '35×45mm biometric photo'.
Applications using this photo format
The 35×45mm format covers all Czech Republic applications except passport: Schengen visa Type C (tourist, business, short-stay up to 90 days), long-stay visa Type D (work, study, family reunification), residence permits (temporary and permanent), employee cards (zaměstnanecká karta), blue cards, Czech national ID cards (občanský průkaz), and intra-company transfer cards. One photo set works for all these document types.
Taking photos of children and babies
- Lay baby on plain white or light-coloured blanket on floor
- Ensure only the child is visible — no other persons, hands, toys, or supports
- Use even lighting without shadows on face or background
- Photograph from directly above with face centred
- Infants: eyes do not need to be fully open. All other children must have eyes open.
- Same 35×45mm size and quality requirements as adult photos
- Neutral expression expected — but authorities are more lenient with very young children
- Take multiple shots — expect 10-20 attempts for one compliant photo
Good vs bad Czech visa photo examples
Cost comparison: DIY vs professional services
- Photo studio in Czech Republic: 150-400 CZK (€6-16) for set of photos
- Photo booth (Fotoautomat): 100-200 CZK (€4-8) for standard sizes
- DM or Rossmann photo kiosk: 80-150 CZK (€3-6)
- This tool: Free. Print at home for €0.30-0.60 per sheet
- Savings: €3-16 per application using DIY approach
- Family visa applications (4 people): Save €12-64 total
Digital submission format
For online visa applications, Czech authorities accept JPEG (.jpg) format digital photos. File size should be maximum 240KB. Dimensions should be 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI. For in-person applications at embassies, Ministry of Interior offices, or Foreign Police (cizinecká policie), printed photos on photo paper are required. This tool generates both formats.
Official Czech Government Resources
- Photo Requirements — Czech Ministry of Interior (MVČR) Official 35×45mm photo specifications from the Ministry of Interior
- Photo Requirements — Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MZV) MFA visa photo requirements with ICAO guidelines link
- Photograph — Information Portal for Foreigners (IPC) Official portal for foreigners — photo requirements for residence permits
- ICAO Photo Guidelines — Sample Illustrations ICAO biometric photo standards referenced by Czech authorities
Step-by-Step Workflow
Upload and Position Face
Select Enhancement Variant
Download or Print Sheet
Specifications
- Photo Size
- 35×45 mm
- Resolution
- 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI
- Face Height
- Eyes-to-chin minimum 13mm
- Top Margin
- Minimum 2mm above head
- Background
- White, light grey, or light blue
- Recency
- Current appearance at time of filing
- Expression
- Neutral, lips closed, eyes open
- Paper
- Smooth surface, high-quality photo paper
- Thickness
- 0.13-0.27mm (photo paper standard)
- Valid For
- Schengen visa, residence permit, ID card, employee card
Best Practices
- Czech visa/ID photos are 35×45mm — do NOT use 50×50mm passport format
- Three background colours accepted: white, light grey, or light blue — unique to Czech Republic
- Minimum 2mm space between top of head and photo edge — measure carefully
- Eyes-to-chin distance must be at least 13mm
- Photo must have smooth surface — no scratches, wrinkles, or stains
- Digital submissions: JPEG format, maximum 240KB file size
- Glasses discouraged but prescription allowed without glare — removal recommended
- Rounded corners (3mm radius) are acceptable — not required to be sharp
Frequently Asked Questions
What size are Czech visa photos?
Czech visa, residence permit, and ID card photos must be 35×45mm. This is the standard EU/Schengen format. Czech passport applications use a different 50×50mm format — they are not interchangeable.
What background colour for Czech visa photos?
Czech Ministry of Interior accepts white, light grey, or light blue backgrounds, including various hues of these colours. This is unusually flexible — most EU countries only accept white or light grey. No shadows or patterns allowed.
Can I use the same photo for Czech visa and passport?
No. Visa/ID applications require 35×45mm. Passport applications at embassies require 50×50mm. Different sizes, different tools. Using the wrong format results in automatic rejection.
What documents use the 35×45mm format?
Schengen visa (Type C), long-stay visa (Type D), residence permits (temporary and permanent), employee cards, blue cards, Czech ID cards (občanský průkaz), intra-company transfer cards, and firearms licence photos.
What is the minimum face height?
The distance from eyes to chin must be at least 13mm. Additionally, there must be at least 2mm between the top of the head and the upper edge of the photo. Head height from chin to crown should follow ICAO standards of approximately 70-80% of frame.
Can Czech visa photos be black and white?
The Ministry of Interior specification for visa/residence photos requires colour photos. Black and white is only accepted for Czech passport applications (50×50mm format), not for visa or ID applications.
What is the maximum digital file size?
Maximum 240KB for online visa submissions in JPEG (.jpg) format. This tool generates optimised files within this limit. Dimensions should be 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI.
Can I wear glasses in Czech visa photos?
Sunglasses are not allowed. Prescription glasses are permitted but not recommended — remove them to avoid glare or reflection issues that cause rejection. Tinted glasses and eye patches only for documented medical reasons.
Are rounded corners required?
Corners may be straight or rounded with a radius of 3mm (±0.5mm). Both are acceptable. Standard scissor-cut straight corners are fine.
Where can I print Czech visa photos?
Print at home on photo paper (cheapest), or at any photo shop, DM, Rossmann, or photo kiosk specifying '35×45mm biometric photo'. Standard EU format is widely available at most photo services.