A passport is an essential travel document that grants you official permission to enter and exit a foreign country. For your application to be successful, you will need to submit various documents, including a recent passport photo that adheres to specific guidelines.
This blog post serves as a comprehensive guide to Norway’s passport photo requirements, ensuring you submit an accurate and compliant image for your application. By following these guidelines, you can avoid delays or potential rejections associated with incorrect photos.
General Specifications:1
- Size: 35 mm x 45 mm (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm)
- Color: Color preferred, but black and white is also acceptable.
- Quantity: Two (2) identical photos are required.
- Recency: Must be taken within the last six (6) months.
Photo Appearance
- Head Size and Position:
- The entire face must be centered in the frame and fill 70-80% of the photo area.
- The head must be straight and positioned facing the camera directly, with no tilting or turning.
- Background: Plain white or light-colored background with no patterns or shadows.
- Facial Expression: Neutral expression, with mouth closed and eyes open. No smiling, frowning, or grimacing.
- Eyes: Both eyes must be clearly visible and open, looking directly at the camera. No excessive squinting or covering of eyes by hair or glasses.
- Glasses: Acceptable only if you wear them regularly. However, they should not have reflective lenses, frames should not cover your eyes, and there should be no glare on the lenses.
- Headwear: Not allowed, except for religious headwear that must be worn daily for religious reasons. The headwear must not obscure the face.
- Clothing: Dress appropriately, avoiding
Head and Eye-Level
- Your face size (from hair to chin) should be between 34.5 and 36.23 mm.
- Leave about 3 mm of space between your head and the top of the photo.
- Both eyes should be level within the frame.
Digital Photo (if required)
- Resolution: 600 x 600 pixels
- File size: Less than 240 kilobytes
Visas for Future Passport Photo Service
Use the Visas for Future passport photo service to get a Norway passport photo that’ll work for your application. Simply take a photo of yourself using our guidelines, send it in and we’ll edit it. We’ll send you your passport photos by post with free shipping. We deliver to Canada, the EU, the US, and the UK. For individuals outside of those countries, we can deliver your passport photos to your inbox, which you can print at home.
How it works
Take a photo.
We verify your photo.
Passport photos are delivered by post or email.
How to take your passport photo
Here’s how you can take passport photos at home to ensure that they’ll be high quality:
1.) Stand .5 meters or 2 feet from the wall. This ensures that there’s no shadow on your portrait.
2.) Place the camera 2 meters or 6 feet away from the subject. This will prevent distortion and give you a prettier picture!
3.) Have the camera on the same level as the subject’s face.
4.) Use plenty of lighting. Natural light is preferred but plenty of light in general is the best. Make sure it is even and doesn’t leave a shadow.
Benefits of using an online passport photo service
There are many choices when it comes to getting a passport photo, but here are reasons why you should go with an online agent:
- You don’t have to leave your house.
- We know the passport photo rules of the country you’re applying to.
- We validate your photo – we check your passport photo to make sure it is in order.
- Save money with bulk orders – you can order many passport photos and save.
Why choose us
Visas for Future is a convenient service that can help you with your passport photo needs. Here are six reasons why you should choose Visas for Future for your passport photo services:
- Expertise: Our experts ensure that your passport photo meets the official requirements of your destination country.
- Convenience: You can upload your own photo or take one with your smartphone, and we will crop, resize, and enhance it to create a perfect biometric photo.
- Support: We’re visa and passport photo experts. You can ask us travel questions, which will make your trip-planning process easier.
- Speed: Your photos are shipped within a day!
- Unlimited retakes: You can also take as many photos as you want until you are satisfied with the result.
Additional specifications for Norway passport photo
Here are some additional specifications for Norway passport photos that haven’t been mention above:
- Hair:: Style your hair in a way that doesn’t obscure your face or ears. Avoid excessively covering your forehead with bangs or fringes.
- Makeup: Avoid wearing excessive makeup with heavy shine or bright colors, as it can cause glare and reflections in the photo. Opt for a natural look.
- Medical Conditions: If you have a medical condition that requires you to wear specific headwear, you might need to submit a doctor’s note along with your application explaining the situation and the necessity of wearing the headwear in the photo.
Specific requirements for children and infants for Norway passport photo
Here are the specific requirements for children and infants applying for a Norwegian passport:
General
- No other person: Only the child should be present in the photo.
- Digital photos: Not typically accepted for children under six (6) years old. Physical photos are required.
Positioning
- Infants and toddlers who cannot support their heads:
- Lay them on their backs on a plain white or off-white sheet.
- Ensure no shadows are cast on their face, especially when taking the photo from above.
- Alternatively, you can cover a car seat with a plain white or off-white sheet and place your child in the seat for the photo.
- Children who can support their heads:
- Have them sit upright, facing the camera directly, with their head centered.
- Ensure their shoulders are visible in the photo.
Additional points:
- Neutral expression: Even for children and infants, aim for a neutral expression as much as possible.
- Open eyes: Try to capture the child with their eyes open, even if it takes a few attempts.
- Lighting: Ensure even lighting across the child’s face and avoid shadows.
- Clothing: Dress the child in clothing that contrasts with the white background. Avoid clothing with patterns or logos.
Age-Specific Requirements
- Newborns and infants under one year old:
- May be photographed lying down on their back, with their head supported by a neutral-colored cloth or blanket.
- Ensure the head is straight, facing the camera, and both eyes are visible.
- An adult’s hand may be used to gently support the infant’s head, but the hand should not be visible in the final photo.
- For newborns, it is not required to open their eyes.
- Children aged one (1) to six (6) years old:
- Should be encouraged to sit upright and look directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
- If the child cannot maintain a steady head position, a parent or guardian can gently hold their head from behind, ensuring their hands are not visible in the photo.
- Children aged seven (7) to ten (10) years old:
- Should be able to sit upright and maintain a steady head position on their own.
- Encourage them to look directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
How to obtain a valid Norway passport photo using online services?
- Click on “Get Passport photos now“
- Enter your personal information, including your nationality and country of residence.
- Pay the passport photo fee of $5.50.
- Upload your clear photo, and ensure that it has a neutral expression.
- Receive and download your government-compliant passport photo in 24 hours.
What are the tips to ensure that your passport photo will be accepted and approved?
Preparation
- Gather your tools: You’ll need a camera capable of taking high-resolution photos (smartphone or digital camera), a plain white or light-colored background, and someone to help you take the picture (selfies are not allowed).
Setting Up
- Background: Find a clean, solid white or light-colored wall or sheet to use as your background. Ensure there are no shadows, patterns, or objects visible in the background.
- Lighting: Choose a well-lit area with natural light, preferably facing a window. Avoid harsh shadows on your face by diffusing the light with a thin white curtain or sheet. Artificial lighting can also work, but ensure it’s even and doesn’t create shadows or glare.
Taking the Photo
- Posing: Stand straight, facing the camera directly. Maintain a neutral expression with your mouth closed and eyes open. Look directly at the camera lens.
- Head position: Keep your head straight and centered in the frame. Avoid tilting your head or turning your shoulders.
- Hair: Style your hair in a way that doesn’t obscure your face or ears. Avoid excessive bangs or fringes covering your forehead.
- Clothing: Dress appropriately, avoiding low necklines, sleeveless shirts, or anything resembling a uniform. Opt for solid-colored attire that contrasts with the background.
- Glasses: If you wear glasses, ensure they are clear and don’t have reflective lenses. Glare on the lenses can be a reason for rejection. Consider removing them if possible.
- Headwear: Generally not allowed, except for religious reasons. If applicable, ensure the headwear doesn’t obscure your face.
Additional Tips
- Take multiple photos: Capture several photos from different angles to ensure you have a clear and acceptable option.
- Check the photo after each shot: Look for any issues like shadows, glare, or improper expression. Retake the photo if needed.
- Use a tripod (optional): If available, using a tripod can help ensure your camera remains still and captures a sharp, focused image.
Capturing a passport photo on your own can be tricky, as it may not meet the strict guidelines set by the government. To ensure your passport photo meets all the requirements, you can rely on the professional passport photo service offered by Visas for Future. Our expert team will ensure that your photo meets all the requirements, ensuring a hassle-free passport application process.
Correct and Incorrect Norway Passport Photos
Correct
Incorrect:
Source: Politiet.no
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal picture for a passport?
While specifics may vary slightly by country, the ideal passport picture should be a recent, clear, color headshot against a plain white or off-white background with no shadows or distractions. You should be facing the camera directly with a neutral expression (a slight smile may be allowed in some countries), both eyes open and fully visible, and no headwear (unless for religious reasons and approved). The size requirements will likely be specified by your country’s passport office.
Is a Norway visa easy to get?
Generally, Norway is considered to be a more challenging country to obtain a visa for compared to some other European nations. This is especially true for tourist visas, where Norway prioritizes issuing visas to individuals with strong ties to their home country and a clear purpose for their visit.
Why do passport photos get rejected?
Passport photos get rejected for a few key reasons: not following specific requirements. These requirements can be:
1. Incorrect size or dimensions
2. Improper background
3. Poor photo quality
4. Incorrect posture or expression
5. Inappropriate attire
Can I wear earrings in my passport photo?
No, it is not recommended to wear earrings in your Norway passport photo.
- Norway. No. (n.d.). Passport application checklist Documentation required for adults (18 years and over). Retrieved February 24, 2024, from <https://www.norway.no/globalassets/2-world/usa/cg—houston/documents/checklist—passport-130121.pdf> [↩]
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Cite this article
MLA Style
Diego, James Abel. "Norway Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/passport-size-photo-for-norway-visa/. Accessed on 16 September 2023.
Chicago Style
Diego, James Abel. "Norway Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future. September 16, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/passport-size-photo-for-norway-visa/.