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

By AI Assistant 825 words 4 min read

A crisp, perfectly framed 35 × 45 mm headshot is the single most critical element on your Austrian ÖBB Card—and yet every year thousands of applicants stumble on tiny but unforgiving photo flaws that trigger instant rejection. From incorrect dimensions and improper lighting to off-center subjects, outdated attire or unapproved backgrounds, even the smallest deviation from Austria’s official 35 × 45 mm standard can slam the brakes on your rail pass processing. In this guide, we’ll pinpoint the top reasons ÖBB Photo Office staff send images back for retakes, explain exactly what inspectors look for, and equip you with straightforward tips to ensure your photo sails through without delay—because missing a train due to a bad picture shouldn’t be part of your itinerary.

Requirements

  • Incorrect dimensions: photo not exactly 35 × 45 mm (tolerance ±1 mm) or trimmed improperly
  • Improper head size: head height not between 32 mm and 36 mm from chin to crown
  • Off-centre framing: head not centred both vertically and horizontally within the frame
  • Non-uniform background: background not plain light grey to white, contains shadows, patterns or objects
  • Poor lighting and shadows: uneven lighting creating shadows on face or background or overexposed areas
  • Neutral expression violation: subject not looking straight ahead, smiling broadly, mouth open or eyes closed
  • Glasses glare or frame obstruction: reflections on lenses, tinted lenses or frames covering eyes
  • Obstructive headgear or accessories: hats, hair, scarves or jewelry covering forehead, hairline or cheeks (religious headwear allowed but face must be fully visible)
  • Low resolution or print quality: image resolution under 600 dpi, pixelation, blurriness, smudges or printing artifacts
  • Wrong colour format: photo not in colour, saved in unsupported format (must be JPEG or TIFF, sRGB colour space)
  • Photo ageing or damage: visible creases, stains, fading or fingerprints indicating poor handling
  • Outdated portrait style: shadows behind head, extreme retouching or filters altering natural skin tone

Step-by-Step Process

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

Tips and Best Practices

  • Exact Photo Dimensions: ensure the final image is precisely 35 mm wide × 45 mm high with no white borders, because AT-OBB’s automated systems instantly reject any size deviation
  • Correct Head Size & Position: frame the head so it’s 32–36 mm from chin to crown and centered vertically, as misaligned or undersized heads fail the biometric face-capture checks
  • Uniform Background & Lighting: use a plain light grey or off-white background with even, shadow-free illumination, since shadows or patterns cause contrast errors in AT’s photo validation
  • Neutral Expression & No Obstructions: maintain a closed-mouth, neutral expression with eyes fully visible and remove glasses glare or headwear, because any facial covering or reflection leads to manual rejection
  • High Resolution & Quality Print: submit a sharp, high-resolution image (min. 600 dpi) on matte photo paper without ink streaks or pixelation, as poor print quality often triggers repeat-submission requests

Conclusion

In summary, ÖBB Card 35 × 45 mm photos are most often rejected for avoidable technical or compositional errors. To ensure a smooth application process, double-check each of the following before you submit:

  • Dimensions: photo must be exactly 35 × 45 mm with no additional borders or margins
  • Head size and position: top of the head to chin must measure 32–36 mm and be centered vertically
  • Background: plain light-grey or neutral tone with no shadows, patterns or reflections
  • Lighting and exposure: even illumination, no shadows on face or background, true-to-life skin tones
  • Facial expression and pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, head straight and facing camera
  • Glasses and accessories: no tinted lenses, minimal frame glare, eyes fully visible, no hats or head coverings (unless for religious reasons)
  • Image quality: sharp focus, high resolution (minimum 600 dpi print or digital equivalent), no red-eye or printing defects

By rigorously following these specifications—or entrusting your photo to a provider familiar with Austrian visa and rail-card standards—you’ll avoid common pitfalls, reduce processing delays, and secure your ÖBB Vorteilscard photo approval on the first try.

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