EE Estonia long stay D visa 35x45 mm (3.5x4.5 cm) Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

By AI Assistant 734 words 4 min read

Planning a long-stay D visa for Estonia hinges on one seemingly small but critically important detail: your photo. The official 35×45 mm (3.5×4.5 cm) portrait is more than just a snapshot—it’s your first introduction to Estonian immigration officers, and any misstep can lead to delays or outright rejection. In this comprehensive guide, we break down every specification—face size and positioning, background color and uniformity, lighting and contrast, expression and headgear allowances—so you can submit a flawlessly compliant photo on your very first attempt. Backed by 20+ years advising global immigration authorities, our step-by-step instructions and expert tips ensure your visa application sails through without a hitch.

Requirements

  • Dimensions: 35 × 45 mm print size with ±2 mm tolerance, portrait orientation
  • Head size: 32–36 mm measured from chin to crown, occupying 70–80% of photo height
  • Eye level: positioned 23–35 mm from the bottom edge, eyes open and looking straight at the camera
  • Background: uniform light grey or white, free of shadows, patterns and objects
  • Facial expression: neutral expression with closed mouth, no smiling, both edges of the face and neck visible
  • Lighting and exposure: even, diffused lighting with no shadows or hot spots, accurate skin tones, no red-eye
  • Glasses: permitted only if eyes are fully visible, frames thin, lenses clear with no reflections or tint
  • Head coverings: disallowed except for genuine religious reasons, must not obscure any facial features from chin to forehead and both cheeks
  • Photo quality: high resolution (minimum 600 dpi), sharp focus, no pixelation, grain or printing defects
  • Color and finish: true-to-life color on non-glossy white paper, natural skin tones, no color cast
  • Age of photo: taken within the last 6 months, no digital retouching that alters natural appearance

Step-by-Step Process

Content about EE Estonia long stay D visa 35x45 mm (3.5x4.5 cm) Photo Requirements Guide - process

Tips and Best Practices

  • Exact head dimensions: Ensure your head measures 32–36 mm from chin to crown with 3–5 mm space above—misplaced sizing triggers auto-cropping and instant rejection.
  • Neutral expression & straight gaze: Keep eyes open, mouth closed and face directly forward—tilts or smiles distort biometric data and void acceptance.
  • Even, plain background: Use a light gray or white backdrop with no shadows or textures—background inconsistencies cause manual rejections and slow processing.
  • No glasses glare or tinted lenses: Remove eyewear or adjust lighting to eliminate reflections—glare obscures eyes and breaches Estonia’s biometric clarity rules.
  • High resolution & color accuracy: Capture in 600 dpi minimum with true-to-life skin tones—blurriness or color casts lead to disqualification by digital scanners.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Key Takeaways:

  • Photo Size: must be exactly 35 × 45 mm (5 × 5 cm) with head height 28–33 mm and eye line 15–20 mm from bottom
  • Background & Lighting: uniform light grey or white backdrop, no shadows, even illumination on the face
  • Facial Expression & Position: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, facing camera directly with no head tilt
  • Accessories & Attire: no hats or head coverings (unless for religious reasons), no tinted glasses, prescription eyewear allowed if eyes clearly visible
  • Image Quality: high resolution (min. 600 dpi), sharp focus, true-to-life color, no filters or digital alterations
  • Print & File Format: matte or semi-matte finish for prints; JPEG or PNG for digital uploads, size 240 KB–10 MB

By adhering to these specifications precisely, applicants will minimize the risk of photo rejection and ensure a smooth application process for Estonia’s long-stay D visa.

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