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

Requirements

• Photo size: must be exactly 35 mm wide and 45 mm high (5 × 5 cm) with a tolerance of ±5 mm
• Head dimensions: head height (chin to crown) must measure between 32 mm and 36 mm within the frame
• Eye line position: distance from the bottom edge of the photo to the centre of the eyes must be 20 mm–24 mm
• Background: plain light grey to white, smooth and uniform with no shadows, patterns or objects visible
• Frontal pose: full face facing camera, head centred, eyes open and directed at the lens, mouth closed with a neutral expression
• Lighting: even, diffused lighting with no shadows on face or background, no reflections or red-eye effect
• Photo quality: sharp focus, continuous-tone image, no creases, folds, ink marks, dust or digital noise
• Color and exposure: accurate natural skin tones, neutral colour balance, correct exposure without over- or under-exposure
• Glasses and headgear: no glasses preferred; if medically necessary, use clear lenses with no glare or frame obstruction; head coverings only for religious reasons, fully revealing facial features
• Attire: everyday clothes—no uniforms, camouflage or white tops that blend into the background
• Photo age: taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance
• Print medium: high-quality photographic paper with matte or semi-matte finish, free of pixels and printer artefacts
• Children’s photos: neutral expression with eyes open; if infant can’t lift head, hands must be out of frame and a plain white cloth may support the head beneath the shoulders

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 dimensions: verify your photo is precisely 35×45 mm (no borders) at 600 dpi to satisfy Estonia’s digital and manual checks and prevent automatic rejections
• Head positioning: align the head centrally covering 32–36 mm of the frame with eyes 19–24 mm from the bottom to meet biometric templates and avoid misalignment failures
• Even lighting: use balanced frontal lighting to eliminate shadows and hotspots around the face so facial features remain clearly defined for reliable scanning
• Glasses management: remove eyewear or use non-reflective lenses to prevent glare over the eyes which often leads to biometric verification refusals
• Neutral expression: keep a natural, closed-mouth expression without tilting to comply with EU requirements and avoid disqualifications for smiling or head angles

Conclusion

In summary, the Estonia long‐stay D visa photo (35 × 45 mm) must meet precise specifications to ensure acceptance without delays. By adhering to the guidelines below, applicants can avoid common pitfalls and secure a smooth visa application process:

• Photo size: exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high, with a tolerance of ± 1 mm
• Head dimensions: 32 – 36 mm from chin to crown, centered vertically; eyes 20 – 24 mm from bottom
• Background: uniformly light grey or off‐white, no shadows or patterns
• Image quality: high resolution (min. 600 dpi), sharp focus, natural skin tones, no red‐eye
• Expression & pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, direct frontal view
• Head coverings: only for religious reasons, must not obscure facial features or cast shadows
• Eyewear: permitted if normally worn, frames must not cover eyes or reflect light; no tinted lenses
• Lighting & exposure: even lighting on face, no flash reflections or shadows; avoid over/underexposure
• Print & file format: color print on quality photo paper or digital file in JPEG/PNG, min. 150 KB, max. 10 MB

By following these precise requirements and verifying all details before submission, applicants can confidently provide a compliant photo and minimize the risk of visa delays or rejections.