Common Bulgaria residence 35x45 mm Photo Rejection Reasons in BG - Expert Tips

Requirements

• Dimension mismatch: Photo must be exactly 35×45 mm (tolerance ±1 mm); any deviation in width or height leads to automatic rejection
• Head size and position: Head height must be 32–36 mm measured from chin to crown, with a 3 mm top margin; off-centre or incorrectly sized portraits are refused
• Background uniformity: Plain light-grey or off-white background without shadows, gradients, textures or objects; visible patterns or uneven lighting trigger rejection
• Facial expression: Neutral expression with closed mouth and both eyes open; smiling, frowning, raised eyebrows or open mouth are unacceptable
• Glasses and reflections: Spectacles allowed only if frames do not cover eyes and lenses are clear; any glare, tinted lenses or frame shadows result in refusal
• Head coverings: Permitted solely for religious reasons and must not obscure facial contours; hats, caps or scarves otherwise cause disqualification
• Lighting and contrast: Even, frontal illumination avoiding shadows on face or background; overexposed, underexposed or unevenly lit photos are invalid
• Colour reproduction and sharpness: Natural skin tones, crisp focus and minimum 600 dpi resolution; blurred, pixelated or colour-distorted images are rejected
• Print medium and finish: High-quality photo paper (matte or glossy) free of creases, tears, stains or reflections; self-printed photos on home printers are not accepted
• Hair and accessories: Hair must be tucked behind ears and off the forehead; no accessories (earphones, large earrings) that cover facial features
• Recency and likeness: Photo taken within the last six months reflecting current appearance; outdated or heavily retouched images lead to refusal
• Photo integrity: No digital or chemical alterations, stamps, borders, watermarks or visible editing artifacts; any sign of manipulation invalidates the submission

Step-by-Step Process

Content about Common Bulgaria residence 35x45 mm Photo Rejection Reasons in BG - process

Tips and Best Practices

• Correct Dimensions and Head Size: Ensure the photo is exactly 35×45 mm with the head height at 31–36 mm and eye line 19–24 mm to satisfy biometric measurement checks and prevent automatic rejections
• Uniform Background and No Shadows: Use a plain white or light-grey backdrop without patterns or shadows so facial features contrast clearly, avoiding manual refusal for background irregularities
• Neutral Expression and Straight Pose: Keep a relaxed, neutral expression with mouth closed and eyes open, facing the camera directly to meet biometric standards and eliminate pose-related denials
• No Glasses Glare or Tinted Lenses: Remove eyewear or wear non-reflective frames, ensuring no glare or colored lenses to maintain unobstructed eye visibility and comply with BG photo rules
• Recent High-Quality Image: Submit a full-color photo taken within the last six months, printed on high-resolution photographic paper without creases or pixelation to prove up-to-date appearance and avoid quality-related refusals

Conclusion

Conclusion: Ensuring your Bulgaria residence 35×45 mm photo meets every specification is essential to prevent application delays. The most frequent rejection reasons highlight where extra attention is needed:

• Dimension errors: photo size not exactly 35×45 mm or wrong margins
• Head positioning: head too large/small, off‐center, or incorrect top-to-chin distance
• Background issues: non-uniform color, shadows, patterns or objects visible
• Lighting and shadows: uneven illumination, harsh shadows on face or background
• Image quality: low resolution, pixelation, over/under-exposure or blurriness
• Facial expression and eyes: open mouth, raised eyebrows, head tilt or closed eyes
• Glasses and accessories: glare on lenses, tinted/colored frames or shadows from accessories
• Borders and cropping: visible borders, photo edges cut off or inconsistent cropping

By double-checking each of these criteria against the official checklist before submission, you can avoid common pitfalls and secure a smooth processing of your Bulgarian residence permit application.