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

Requirements

• Dimensions: photo must be exactly 35 × 45 mm (±5 mm), with no borders or cut-offs
• Head size & position: head (chin to crown) must measure 32–36 mm high and be centred, with eyes positioned roughly 20–25 mm from the bottom edge
• Background: plain, uniform light grey or white background, free of shadows, patterns or textures
• Facial expression: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight ahead, no smile, no frown
• Orientation & framing: full-face view, head and shoulders visible, no tilt, no side profile, both ears should be at least partially visible
• Lighting & contrast: even, natural lighting on face, no shadows, hotspots, glare or red-eye, accurate skin tones
• Glasses: allowed only if worn daily, lenses must be clear (no tint), frames thin, no reflections or glare, eyes fully visible
• Head coverings: permitted solely for religious reasons, must not obscure any part of the face or cast shadows, hairline and facial contours must be clearly visible
• Photo quality: high-resolution digital file or print (min. 600 dpi), sharp focus, no pixelation, scratches, creases, watermarks or printing defects
• Recent capture: photo taken within the last six months reflecting current appearance
• Retouching & attire: absolutely no digital alterations that change natural skin texture or facial features; wear everyday clothing (no uniforms or camouflage)

Step-by-Step Process

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

Tips and Best Practices

• Head size & centering: ensure the head occupies 32–36 mm from chin to crown and is perfectly centered in the 35×45 mm frame; why it matters: mis-framed or off-center heads are flagged by biometric software and will be rejected.
• Background uniformity: use a plain, light-grey or white backdrop with zero textures, shadows or gradients; why it matters: inconsistent backgrounds disrupt edge detection algorithms, causing automatic rejections.
• Lighting & exposure: apply even, diffused lighting from both sides with no harsh highlights or dark shadows on the face; why it matters: uneven lighting obscures key facial features and fails quality checks.
• No accessories & obstructions: remove glasses, headphones, scarves or any headwear (unless for religious reasons) and fully expose the hairline and ears; why it matters: obstructions and lens glare block critical landmarks used in biometric verification.
• Neutral expression & direct gaze: maintain a natural, relaxed face with mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight at the camera without smiling; why it matters: exaggerated expressions or tilted gazes compromise face-recognition accuracy and lead to refusal.

Conclusion

In summary, Austria’s ÖBB Card 35 × 45 mm photo guidelines are exacting and any deviation can lead to rejection, delaying or derailing your application. To avoid common pitfalls, pay close attention to size, framing, background, image quality and facial presentation.

Key rejection reasons:

• Incorrect dimensions: photo not exactly 35 × 45 mm or uneven cropping
• Improper head size/position: head too large, small or off-center
• Non-uniform background: textured, colored or shadowed instead of plain light grey
• Poor lighting/shadows: uneven illumination creating dark patches or glare
• Reflections/obstructions: glasses glare, hair covering eyes or excessive jewelry
• Expression issues: not neutral (mouth closed, eyes open, no smile)
• Low resolution or blurring: pixelation, over-compression or motion blur
• Outdated or retouched image: older than 6 months or digitally altered
• Wrong print specifications: glossy paper, borders, ink smudges or low-quality printing

Final recommendation: Have your photo taken by a professional who knows Austria’s ÖBB Card rules, verify it meets every measurement and visual requirement, and submit the digital and printed version for pre-approval before final application.