Austria Visa Photo Requirements, Size and Rules Guide 2024

Austrian visa application is a rather detailed process, and one of the most significant steps is providing a photograph that meets the country’s requirements. In 2024, Austria implemented new Austria Visa Photo Requirements, among them the electronic acceptance of visa photos for several types of visas. In this post, we’ll offer you essential information on the Austria visa photo and answer all the questions that may be bothering you. Following these guidelines, you can save a lot of time and avoid rejection in photos, thus making your application smoother.

Overview of Austria Visa Photo Requirements

Biometric photos of the applicants are mandatory for all visa-issuing Austrian embassies and Consulates. They must meet Austria Visa Photo Requirements, similar to other countries’ standards, and aim to provide recognition and safety in identification. Sometimes, receiving a rejection visa application may take time just because the photo size is slightly different, there is wrong lighting, or the photo was taken in the wrong position.

The most important features needed to meet the rules of an Austria visa photo are the photo size, background, facial expression, and the subject's positioning. Staying with such specifications will ensure that your photo will be processed by the visa processing systems Austria is currently applying.

Austria Visa Photo Size Specifications for Indians

Besides the correct proportional overall dimensionality, the position of the head against the frame should also meet Austria visa photo regulations.

Photo Dimensions

• Width: 35 mm

• Height: 45 mm

These dimensions align with international standards for passport and visa photos, ensuring your photo will fit correctly in your visa document.

Head Size and Position

• Head height (from chin to crown): 32-36 mm

• Eye line position: 28-35 mm from the bottom of the photo

With the correct size of the photograph as a whole, the position of the head about the frame also has to meet Austria visa photo regulations. The distance from the base of the chin to the top of the head must be measured properly, and the eyes must be placed horizontally.

Also Read: Austria Visa for Indians: Types, Fees, Benefits & More 2024

Photo Quality and Technical Requirements for Indians

Besides size and positioning, Austria visa photo requirements determine several technical parameters for the perfect photo.

1. Resolution and Print Quality

Visa photos must be clear with a minimum of 600 dpi and should be printed on the photo paper. To that extent, it is important to note that images taken from a distance or blurred, grainy, or pixelated images will not be accepted. When taking visa photos for Austria, it is important that the photo is clear and has no defects such as scratches or creases.

2. Color vs. Black and White

Pictures for any visa for Austria must be coloured, and the skin tone should be real, without any bleaching affected skin tones. They will not allow taking pictures in black and white. A bright light has to be chosen because the distorted colour might violate Austria visa photo regulations.

3. Background Requirements

The background of your visa photo should be done without any patterns, be of light colour, and not have a shadow. As for the shades of background, the best one is white or light grey, so it’s better to use Austrian visa photo requirements to avoid distractions.

Posing and Expression Guidelines For Indians

When taking your photo, it's crucial to follow the posing and expression rules outlined in the Austria visa photo requirements.

1. Facial Expression

The ideal posture of the face is that the lips should not be opened; the eyes should be open. Therefore, movements such as smiling, frowning or doing anything with the face are prohibited. This is because Austria visa photo requirements require a neutral facial expression for identification purposes.

2. Head Position

Your head must be straight and centred, facing the camera directly. Even a slight head tilt can disqualify your photo under Austria visa photo requirements.

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3. Eye Direction

Both of your eyes must be visible, and you must look directly at the camera. Photos with closed eyes or averted gaze will not meet the Austria visa photo requirements.

Clothing and Accessories for Austria visa Photo

Austria’s visa photo guidelines include specific rules about clothing and accessories to ensure the photo meets Austria visa photo requirements.

1. Acceptable Clothing

You should wear regular, everyday clothing in your visa photo. Uniforms and clothing with logos are unacceptable unless worn for religious or medical reasons. Neutral, simple clothing is ideal to meet Austria visa photo requirements.

2. Headwear and Religious Items

You can wear headgear for religious reasons, but it must not be worn so that people’s faces cannot be seen or the headgear creates shadows. They have to cover the face area from the chin down to the forehead; otherwise, the photograph will not be acceptable as per Austria visa photo specification.

3. Glasses and Other Accessories

Visa photo requirements dictate that glasses are not allowed in the photos effective from 2024, even if the person wears them. This concerns the change in the Austrian visa photo that does not restrict the wearing of prescription and non-prescription glasses. Also, do not wear big earrings, necklaces or other jewellery that hinder one’s face from being well-seen.

Common Mistakes to Avoid for Austria Visa Photo for Indians

Many photos are rejected for not adhering to Austria visa photo requirements. Avoid these common errors:

• Smiling or making facial expressions – Always keep your expression neutral.

• Wearing glasses – Glasses are not allowed under current Austria visa photo requirements.

• Incorrect background – Make sure the background is light-coloured and distraction-free.

• Improper dimensions – The photo must be exactly 35 mm x 45 mm.

• Blurry or low-quality images – Ensure the photo meets resolution and print standards.

Also Read: Austria Immigration - Here Is What You Need To Know

How Many Photos Should I Submit for Visa Application?

In most of the visas, Austria requires two similar photos for the applicant to produce. However, it is always important to confirm that some specific visa types will have different rules from some of the general ones. The best practice is to have additional photos to take to the Austria visa photo in case there will be a problem with compliance at the end.

Where to Get Austria Visa Photos Taken?

You have several options to get photos that meet Austria visa photo requirements:

1. Professional Photography Studios

If you wish to have the perfect photos that qualify for Austria visa photo requirements, the best place to visit is a professional studio. Such photographers may have had some previous encounters with visa photos and will, therefore, produce photos that will meet all the laid-down rules and regulations.

2. Passport Photo Booths

One more potential place to complete Austria visa photos is the photo booth; the corresponding picture dimensions and quality should be checked, though. These booths are common at airports, shopping complexes and post offices.

3. DIY Options and Online Services

It is also possible to take a photo yourself on the Internet using the services that would make your photo correspond to the visa rules. But be careful as some crucial details might be violated, and ensure the photo meets Austria visa photo requirements. 

Photo Requirements for Babies and Toddlers for Austria Visa Application

The  Austria visa photo requirements for babies and toddlers are more or less the same as those of a grownup. However, for children who are less than six months of age, there is little restriction. For instance, one may look at babies' eyes closed, and they do not have to focus on the camera.

The baby’s arms and hands should not cover the face, and no toys or objects should be placed on the baby’s face. Laying a white sheet of paper behind the baby and having him or her lie down to provide Austria visa photographs of children. 

Tips for Taking Perfect Austria Visa Photos

To meet Austria visa photo requirements, follow these tips:

• Use a plain, light-coloured background.

• Keep your head straight and expression neutral.

• Use soft, natural lighting to avoid shadows.

• Double-check that the photo size is 35 mm x 45 mm.

Submitting Your Visa Photo

Photo for an Austria visa can be submitted as a hard copy or electronically based on the kind of visa to be applied for.

1. Physical Photo Submission

It is standard practice for most applications to ask for two hard copies of your photo. Ensure the photos are not old and taken according to Austria visa photo requirements.

2. Digital Photo Upload

Digital uploads are accepted for certain visa types. Ensure the digital file meets Austria visa photo requirements, including resolution and format.

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Conclusion

To avoid any problems with the Austria visa the client should remember and adhere to the  Austria visa photo requirements. Following the right dimensions of your photograph, a good quality, and the right appearance can help you to have fewer chances of being denied or delayed. Therefore, always check the latest guidelines provided by the Austrian embassy in your country to confirm the Austria visa photo requirements.

To learn more about Austria visa photo requirements and ways to immigrate to Austria, you must contact TerraTern right now. With a team of experts and years of experience in the immigration field, TerraTern should be your go-to for all your immigration needs!