Get Bulgaria Visa 35x45mm (3.5x4.5 cm) Photos in BG - Expert Tips
Securing your Bulgarian visa starts with one critical element: the perfect 35×45 mm (3.5×4.5 cm) photo shot to Bulgaria’s exacting standards. Whether you’re applying for a short-stay Schengen visa or a long-term residence permit, your photograph must meet precise EU and Bulgarian embassy criteria—correct dimensions, neutral background, flawless lighting, and a clear, forward-facing expression. At VisaPics, we streamline the entire process in BG: from expert on-site photography and instant digital retouching to guaranteed embassy acceptance. Read on to discover how to capture, format, and submit your Bulgaria visa photo seamlessly—no more guesswork or costly reshoots, just a fast track to peace of mind and approval.
Requirements
- Photo dimensions: must be exactly 35×45 mm (5×5 cm) in portrait orientation on high-quality photographic paper
- Head size and positioning: head height between 32–36 mm from chin to crown with approx. 3 mm top margin to photo edge
- Background: plain light grey or white background free of patterns, textures, shadows or objects
- Facial expression and pose: neutral expression with closed mouth, eyes open and looking straight at the camera, head upright and centered
- Lighting and exposure: evenly lit face with no shadows, glare or red-eye; consistent lighting to avoid reflections on skin or glasses
- Glasses and eyewear: no tinted lenses or heavy frames; frames must not cover eyes; remove glasses if reflections or glare occur
- Head coverings: allowed only for bona fide religious reasons; must not obscure any facial features or cast shadows; full face must be visible
- Clothing and accessories: everyday attire (no uniforms, camouflage or hats); avoid large jewellery, hair accessories or items that obscure face contours
- Photo quality and printing: high-resolution color print (minimum 600 dpi) on matte or glossy photo paper; photo must be sharp, undamaged and free of creases or marks
- Photo age: taken within the last 6 months to accurately reflect your current appearance
Step-by-Step Process
- Review Bulgaria visa photo specifications: verify size 35×45 mm, head height 32–36 mm, neutral expression, plain light-colored background, no shadows, eyes open and clearly visible
- Prepare shooting environment: choose a plain white or light-gray wall, set up two soft lights at 45° angles to eliminate shadows, place subject at least 1 m from background to avoid cast shadows
- Configure camera settings: use a DSLR or mirrorless with a 50–85 mm lens (full-frame equivalent), set ISO 100–200, aperture f/4–f/8 for depth of field, shutter speed ≥1/125 s, daylight white balance
- Position subject correctly: seat or stand subject at eye level with the camera, ask for a neutral expression with closed mouth, remove glasses and headgear (unless for religious reasons) and keep hair off the face
- Frame and compose: center the head vertically and horizontally, ensure top of the hair is 3–5 mm from the top edge, fill 70–80 % of the frame with the face and upper shoulders
- Capture multiple shots: take at least 5 photos, check each for sharp focus on the eyes, even lighting, accurate color rendition and absence of red-eye or reflections
- Select the best image: choose a shot with even skin tones, no shadows, correct head size and position, and a clear, neutral background
- Edit and crop to 35×45 mm: use professional software or ID-photo tool, crop exactly 35×45 mm, adjust head height to 32–36 mm, fine-tune brightness/contrast without altering natural skin color
- Save in required format: export as high-quality JPEG, 600 dpi resolution, file size ≤500 KB, use no filters or frames
- Print and verify: print on certified photo paper (glossy or matte), cut precisely to 35×45 mm, measure with a ruler to confirm dimensions and head placement before attaching to your visa application
Tips and Best Practices
- Perfect Dimensions: ensure your photo is exactly 35×45 mm with head height between 32 mm and 36 mm – incorrect sizing or head placement is the leading cause of automatic rejections.
- Uniform Background: use a smooth, light gray or off-white backdrop with no shadows or patterns – uneven or colored backgrounds interfere with facial contrast and biometric scanning.
- Clear Facial Visibility: keep hair off the face, eyebrows visible, and eyes open and looking straight ahead – obscured features prevent accurate identity verification.
- Glare-Free Eyewear: if you must wear glasses, choose thin frames, ensure lenses are glare-free, and avoid tinted or transition lenses – reflections or tinting can hide your eyes and invalidate the photo.
- High-Quality Printing: submit a sharp, high-resolution print on professional photo paper with natural skin tones and no digital noise – low-res or poorly printed images often fail the embassy’s quality checks.
Conclusion
Conclusion: A Bulgaria visa photo sized 35 x 45 mm (3.5 x 4.5 cm) must meet precise standards to avoid delays or rejections. Ensure every element—from size to lighting—complies with Bulgarian Embassy requirements.
Key Points:
- Photo size: exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high
- Head dimensions: 32–36 mm from chin to crown
- Eye level: 19–24 mm from bottom edge
- Background: uniform light grey or white, matte finish
- Pose & expression: full-face frontal view, neutral expression, mouth closed
- Lighting: even illumination, no shadows, no red-eye, natural skin tones
- Accessories: permissible glasses with thin frames and clear lenses, no hats except for religious reasons (features must remain fully visible)
- Print quality: high-resolution color print on photo paper, no creases or ink marks
- Recency: photo taken within the last 6 months
- Quantity: two identical prints
Adhering strictly to these specifications will help guarantee your Bulgarian visa application proceeds without photo-related setbacks.
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