Taking Perfect CZ Czech Republic Visa 35x45mm (3.5x4.5 cm) Photos at Home - Expert Tips

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: must be exactly 35 × 45 mm (width × height) with no trimming or borders
• Head size and position: head (chin to crown) must measure 32–36 mm and be centered vertically and horizontally
• Background: plain white or light grey, uniform, wrinkle-free and free of shadows or patterns
• Facial expression: neutral expression with closed mouth and relaxed eyes, no smiling or frowning
• Gaze and head orientation: direct front view, eyes open and looking straight at the camera, no head tilt or turning
• Lighting and contrast: even, diffused lighting on face and background with no shadows, hot spots or reflections
• Image quality and resolution: high resolution (minimum 600 dpi), sharp focus, no pixelation, scratches, ink marks or digital noise
• Glasses: if worn daily, clear-lens glasses permitted; frames must not cover eyes, no glare, no tinted or transition lenses
• Head coverings: not allowed except for religious reasons, but must not obscure hairline, forehead or cast shadows on the face
• Recent photo: taken within the last 6 months reflecting current appearance and natural skin tones
• Clothing and accessories: everyday attire—no uniforms, camouflage, or excessive jewelry; avoid loud patterns or headbands
• Print medium: high-quality matte or semi-gloss photo paper without watermarks or lettering
• Orientation and cropping: portrait orientation; full head and upper shoulders visible with ample space around hair edges

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Verify official CZ visa photo requirements
• Confirm photo dimensions are exactly 35×45 mm (5×5 cm)
• Ensure head height (from top of hair to chin) is 32–36 mm and eye line is 17–22 mm from bottom edge
• Background must be plain light grey or white, evenly lit, without shadows or textures
• Second step: Prepare your shooting area and equipment
• Choose a well-lit room near a large window or use two soft white lamps placed at 45° angles to eliminate shadows
• Place a smooth white or light grey backdrop at least 1 m wide and 5 m tall, secured flat against a wall
• Mount your camera or smartphone on a tripod 2–5 m from the floor to align lens with subject’s eye level
• Third step: Position the subject correctly
• Have subject stand 1–5 m in front of the backdrop to prevent cast shadows
• Instruct subject to face the camera directly, keep shoulders relaxed, and maintain a neutral facial expression with mouth closed
• Eyes must be open, clearly visible, and looking straight ahead—no hair or glasses frames obscuring eyes
• Fourth step: Adjust camera settings for clarity and color accuracy
• Set ISO to 100–200 to minimize grain and use aperture f/6–f/8 for sharp focus on the face
• Use daylight or 5,500–6,500 K color balance to reproduce natural skin tones
• Disable flash or use diffused lighting to avoid red-eye and harsh highlights
• Fifth step: Capture multiple shots and review on-screen
• Take at least 5–10 photos to ensure variety in slight head tilts and expressions
• Zoom in on face in each review to check focus, absence of motion blur, and consistent background lighting
• Confirm no shadows on face, backdrop, or glasses reflections if eyewear is worn for medical reasons
• Sixth step: Select the best image for editing
• Choose the photo where the head is centered, facial features are clear, and lighting is uniform
• Avoid images with over-exposed skin or under-lit areas—even minor shadows can lead to rejection
• Seventh step: Crop and resize using photo software
• Open image in a tool like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP; set document units to millimeters
• Draw a crop frame of 35 mm width × 45 mm height, aligning head so top of hair is 2–5 mm below the upper edge and chin is 2–5 mm above the bottom edge
• Export at 300 dpi resolution in JPEG format with minimal compression (quality 9/10 or higher)
• Eighth step: Validate measurements digitally
• Use a ruler tool to measure head height (32–36 mm) and eye-line position (17–22 mm from bottom) within the cropped image
• Adjust crop if measurements fall outside the tolerance range—re-export after each adjustment
• Ninth step: Print (if required) or prepare digital file
• For prints, use high-quality photo paper and set printer to true photo DPI; produce prints at 35 × 45 mm without scaling
• For digital submission, ensure file size meets Czech Embassy guidelines (typically 200–500 KB), color profile sRGB, and filename contains applicant’s name
• Tenth step: Final quality check before submission
• Inspect printed photo under natural light to confirm no discoloration or smudges
• Verify digital file metadata shows correct dimensions, resolution, and color space
• Keep original high-resolution files and a copy of the printed photo for your records in case of embassy queries

Tips and Best Practices

• Background consistency: use a solid white or light gray backdrop to ensure uniform contrast, as uneven or patterned backgrounds often lead to Czech authorities rejecting the photo
• Soft even lighting: position two lamps at 45° angles to eliminate facial and background shadows, since harsh shadows or overexposure can cause automatic clearance failures
• Accurate head sizing and centering: frame the head to occupy 70–80% of the 35×45 mm image (approx. 31–36 mm height) and keep it vertically centered, because misaligned or incorrectly sized heads trigger rejections
• Neutral expression and visible eyes: maintain a closed mouth, relaxed facial muscles, and a straight-on gaze without tilting, as smiling or partially hidden eyes violate official Czech requirements
• No accessories or uniforms: remove glasses, hats, and heavy jewelry and wear everyday clothing with a simple collar, since reflections, headgear, or uniform‐style attire can result in non-compliance

Conclusion

Conclusion

By carefully following the Czech Republic’s 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) visa-photo requirements at home, you can confidently produce a compliant image that avoids delays or rejections. A structured approach and attention to detail are key.

Key Takeaways:

• Photo Size: final print must be exactly 35 × 45 mm with head height between 32–36 mm
• Background: plain, light-neutral color without shadows or patterns
• Head Position & Framing: centered, full face visible, no tilting, eyes level with the camera
• Expression & Appearance: neutral expression, mouth closed, no glasses or headgear (unless for medical/religious reasons)
• Lighting & Quality: even, natural lighting; no red-eye, reflections, or shadows; high resolution (600 dpi minimum)
• File & Print Specs: digital JPEG (300 kb–1 mb) or printed on high-quality photographic paper; matte or semi-matte finish
• Clothing & Contrast: wear dark or medium tones to contrast with the light background
• Final Check: verify measurements with a ruler or template, inspect for compliance before submission

By adhering to these guidelines, your DIY Czech visa photo will meet official standards, ensuring a smooth application process.