Common Austria OBB Card 35x45 mm Photo Rejection Reasons in AT - Expert Tips

By AI Assistant 802 words 4 min read

Applying for your ÖBB Card in Austria hinges on submitting a flawless 35 × 45 mm portrait photo, yet even slight missteps can trigger outright rejection—and a frustrating delay in accessing your rail benefits. From off-standard dimensions and improper head positioning to uneven lighting that casts shadows or alters skin tone, every detail matters. Common pitfalls include non-compliant background colors, visible glare on eyewear, incorrect facial expressions, and low-resolution or over-compressed digital files. Understanding these top rejection triggers empowers you to sidestep avoidable errors, ensure swift approval, and hit the tracks sooner with your new ÖBB Card in hand.

Requirements

  • Photo dimensions: exactly 35 × 45 mm with a tolerance of ±1 mm; any deviation leads to automatic rejection
  • Head size and position: head height must be 32–36 mm measured from chin to crown and centered vertically and horizontally in the frame
  • Background requirements: uniform light gray or off-white background with no shadows, patterns, or gradients
  • Facial expression and posture: neutral expression with closed mouth, both eyes open, head straight (no tilt) and shoulders visible
  • Lighting and contrast: even front lighting without glare or dark shadows on face or background; natural skin tones required
  • Glasses and eyewear: if worn, frames must be thin, lenses clear and non-reflective; no tinted, mirrored, or colored lenses and no glare obscuring eyes
  • Head coverings and accessories: only allowed for documented religious reasons; must not cast shadows on face or obscure facial features; forehead to chin and both cheek lines must be fully visible
  • Image quality and print medium: high resolution (minimum 600 dpi), sharp focus, no pixelation, creases, tears or ink marks; printed on high-quality photographic paper with a matte or semi-matte finish
  • Recentness of photo: taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance
  • Digital alterations: strictly prohibited—no airbrushing, retouching or color filtering; photo must represent true likeness
  • Crop and margins: full head and top of shoulders included, with at least 2 mm margin between head outline and photo border; cutting too close to hair or shoulders causes rejection

Step-by-Step Process

Content about Common Austria OBB Card 35x45 mm Photo Rejection Reasons in AT - process

Tips and Best Practices

  • Correct size & head placement: ensure your photo is exactly 35×45 mm with the head height between 32–36 mm and perfectly centered, because off-scale or off-center heads prevent accurate biometric alignment and lead to instant rejection
  • Plain light background: use a uniform white or light grey backdrop free of shadows or textures, because uneven or colored backgrounds interfere with facial recognition software and are routinely refused by Austrian authorities
  • Neutral expression & visible eyes: maintain a straight face with both eyes fully open and mouth closed, because any smiling, raised eyebrows or squinting alters facial contours and compromises automated identity checks
  • No glare or headwear: remove glasses or use non-reflective lenses and avoid hats except for documented religious reasons, because reflections or tinted lenses obscure eye details and unauthorized head coverings invalidate the photo
  • Even, diffused lighting: employ soft front lighting to eliminate harsh shadows, overexposure or underexposure on the face, because inconsistent lighting distorts skin tone and facial features, causing non-compliance with OBB biometric standards

Conclusion

In conclusion, ensuring your Austria ÖBB Card photo meets all 35×45 mm specifications is crucial to avoid processing delays. Attention to background, head positioning, exposure and appearance will save time and frustration.

  • Background: plain light‐grey or white, uniform, no shadows or patterns
  • Head size & position: 30–36 mm from chin to crown, centered vertically and horizontally
  • Expression & eyes: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
  • Lighting & exposure: even, natural skin tones, no reflections or harsh shadows
  • Glasses & accessories: no tinted lenses or heavy frames, minimal jewelry, permitted head coverings only for religious reasons without obscuring face
  • Image quality: high resolution (300 dpi+), sharp focus, no pixelation or digital retouching
  • Print & paper: matte finish, good contrast, accurate color reproduction
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