What are the requirements and rules for passport photos
Passport and visa photos are subject to strict official rules.
If these standards are not respected, your photo can be rejected, even if it looks acceptable at first glance.
Passport photos can be taken in a photo booth in Switzerland or prepared online, as long as all official requirements are respected.
On this page, you will find:
- the official requirements for passport photos
- clear examples of what is accepted and refused
- practical advice to avoid the most common reasons for rejection
Good to know: many rejected photos fail due to small technical details (lighting, background, facial expression) that are easy to overlook.
👉 If you already have a photo, you can prepare your passport photo online here:
General passport photo requirements and rules
To be accepted by official authorities, your passport or visa photo must be:
- clear and in focus
- recent (less than 6 months old)
- taken against a plain, light-coloured background
- showing a neutral facial expression, mouth closed
- free of shadows on the face and background
Passport photo size and dimensions
The standard passport photo size is:
- 35 mm wide × 45 mm high
- The face must measure 32–36 mm, from chin to top of head
(approximately 70–80 % of the photo)
The photo must be properly exposed — neither too dark nor too bright.
Lighting and background rules
Lighting plays a critical role in photo acceptance.
Your digital photo must:
- be in clear contrast with the background
- have no visible shadows (on your face or behind you)
- be in colour
✅ Accepted backgrounds:
- light grey
- light blue
❌ Not accepted:
- white background
- textured or patterned backgrounds
The digital photo that you are going to send us must be be in clear contrast to the background, without any shadows on your face or behind you. A color photo is strongly recommended be taken against a plain light-coloured background (light blue, light gray). White background is prohibited.
Head position and facial expression
In your passport photo:
- You must be facing forward
- Your head must be centered
- You must be looking straight at the camera
- Your expression must be neutral
- Your mouth must be closed
- Your eyes must be open and clearly visible
Even slight head tilts or smiles may lead to rejection.
In your photo you must be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera. You must have a plain expression and your mouth closed and have your eyes open and visible.
Head coverings and religious wear
Head coverings are not allowed, except for religious or medical reasons.
If you wear a veil:
- your face must be fully visible
- the veil must not cast shadows
- the edges of your face must be clearly defined
Glasses in passport photos
Wearing glasses is optional.
If you choose to wear them:
- your eyes must be fully visible
- there must be no glare or reflections
- tinted or coloured lenses are not allowed
- thick frames covering the eyes are not allowed
If you wear glasses, you don’t have to put them on. On the other hand, if you decide to wear them, your eyes must be visible without any glare or reflection. The glasses must not be tinted or colored.
Passport photos for babies and children
Children must be photographed:
- alone
- without toys, dummies or supporting objects
- with a visible face
Babies must not be held or supported in a visible way.
These requirements are relatively easy to meet and call upon common sense.
If you do not have access to a photo booth, you can also prepare your passport photo online following the same official rules.
Passport photos: summary of official standards
👉 Below is a clear overview of the main acceptance criteria used by authorities.
What | Obligations |
|---|---|
Quality | Your photo must be clear and in focus. |
Format | Your photo must be 35mm wide by 45mm high (3.5cm X 4.5cm). |
Lighting, contrast and color | Your photo must neither be overexposed nor underexposed. Your photo must be in clear contrast to the background, without any shadows on your face or behind you. Your photo must be in color. |
Background | Your photo must be taken against a plain light-coloured background. No white background. |
Head | The head should not be covered except for religious or medical reasons. For veiled women, the face must be uncovered. You must be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera. |
Expression | You must have a plain expression and your mouth closed. |
Eyes | Your eyes have to be open and visible. |
Glasses | If you wear glasses, you don’t have to put them on. On the other hand, if you decide to wear them, your eyes must be visible without any glare or reflection. The glasses must not be tinted or colored. |
Final advice before submitting your photo
Although these rules may seem straightforward, many photos are rejected each year due to:
- incorrect background colour
- lighting issues
- incorrect proportions
- small reflections or shadows
If you want to avoid mistakes and save time, you can prepare your photo online:
👉 Create your compliant passport photo online
https://facebooth.ch/en/passport-photos-online/
Frequently asked questions about passport photos
What is the official passport photo size?
The official passport photo size is 35 mm × 45 mm. The face must measure 32–36 mm from chin to top of head.
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
Yes, glasses are allowed, but they are not mandatory. If worn, there must be no glare, no reflections, and your eyes must be fully visible.
Is a white background allowed for passport photos?
No. A white background is not allowed. The background must be plain and light-coloured, such as light grey or light blue.
Can I smile in a passport photo?
No. You must have a neutral facial expression and your mouth must be closed.
How recent must a passport photo be?
Your passport photo must be less than 6 months old.
Are head coverings allowed in passport photos?
Only for religious or medical reasons. Even then, the face must be fully visible and free of shadows.
Can babies wear accessories in passport photos?
No. Babies must be photographed without toys, dummies or accessories, and must be alone in the image.