Here are the full specifications for the Polish passport photo:1
- Size and Dimensions
- Dimensions: 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm (35 mm x 45 mm)
- Head size: The head should occupy between 70-80% of the photo’s vertical length.
- Head height: The distance from the top of your head (hairline) to the bottom of your chin should be between 31 mm and 36 mm.
- General Requirements
- Color: Color photograph only. No black and white allowed.
- Background: Plain, light-colored background (white, grey, or light blue). Ensure your head and shoulders stand out clearly.
- Age: The photo must be recent, no older than six months.
- Expression: Neutral expression, closed mouth, eyes open, and looking directly at the camera.
- Focus and Quality: The photo should be clear, focused, and free of shadows or glare.
- Printing: Printed on high-quality photo paper.
- Number of copies: Four (4)
- Headwear: Not allowed, except for religious and medically necessary headwear with a doctor’s note.
- Sunglasses and tinted glasses: Not allowed, even with a doctor’s note.
- Accessories: Remove headphones, earbuds, and other accessories that obscure your face or head.
- Uniforms: Not allowed unless it’s your religious attire.
- Patterns and colors: Avoid busy patterns and loud colors. Opt for plain clothes with neutral colors like black, blue, or brown. White clothing blends in, so avoid it.
- Jewelry: Minimize flashy jewelry and remove large pieces altogether.
- Hair: Hair should not cover your face. Sweep it back neatly to show your full face.
- Facial expressions: Maintain a neutral, closed-mouth expression. No smiling, frowning, grimacing, or any exaggerated expressions.
Visas for Future Passport Photo Service
Use the Visas for Future passport photo service to get a 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, or we can deliver your passport photos to your inbox, which you can print at home. For every product sold, we plant a tree!
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, making 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.
Not allowed on a Poland Passport Photo
Appearance
- Headwear: Except for religious and medically necessary headwear (with a doctor’s note).
- Sunglasses or tinted glasses: A doctor’s note may be required even if medically necessary.
- Headphones, earbuds, or other accessories: These must not obscure your face or head.
- Uniforms: Unless it’s your religious attire.
- Busy patterns or loud colors: Opt for plain clothes with neutral colors like black, blue, or brown. White clothing blends into the background, so avoid it.
- Jewelry: Minimize flashy jewelry and remove large pieces altogether.
- Facial expressions: No smiling, frowning, grimacing, or any exaggerated expressions. Maintain a neutral, closed-mouth expression.
- Hair covering your face: Sweep back neatly to show your full face.
- Red-eye effect: Ensure the photo doesn’t have a red-eye.
Photo Editing
- Filters or effects: No altering colors, brightness, or other aspects of the photo.
- Removing blemishes or wrinkles: The photo should represent your natural appearance.
- Background editing: Remove the background yourself and ensure it’s plain and light-colored (white, grey, or light blue). Don’t use editing software for this.
Other
- Damaged or blurry photos: The photo must be clear and in focus.
- Photos older than six months: Ensure the photo is recent.
- Multiple people in the photo: Only you should be in the photo.
- Selfies or informal photos: Professional or high-quality photos are preferred.
Poland Passport photo for kids and babies
Taking a passport photo for a child, especially a baby, can be challenging but here are some tips for capturing an acceptable photo for a Polish passport:
General Requirements
- Size: 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm
- Color: Color only, no black and white
- Age: The photo must be recent, no older than 6 months
- Background: Plain, light-colored background (white, grey, or light blue)
- Expression: Neutral expression, closed mouth, eyes open, and looking directly at the camera
For Kids (5 to 12 years old)
- Bring them to a professional photographer: This is the easiest option and ensures good quality. Explain to the photographer it’s for a passport.
- Take it yourself: Use a plain background and good lighting. Have them sit upright and face the camera. Gently hold their head in position if needed.
For Babies (under 5 years old)
- Lay them on their back on a light-colored blanket: Gently hold their head upright and ensure their face are unobstructed. Use another person to help calm them or capture their attention with a toy.
- Use a car seat: Position the seat facing a plain wall or background. Buckle them in and use a rolled-up towel to support their head.
Additional Tips
- Avoid shadows and glare: Use indirect lighting or position them slightly from the background.
- Dress them in plain clothes: Neutral colors (avoid white) and clothes without patterns work best.
- Remove hats, glasses (unless medically necessary), and headbands.
- Keep hair off their face: Gently brush it back or use a hairband.
- Be patient and persistent: Getting a good photo might take multiple tries, especially with babies.
Correct and Incorrect Samples of Poland Passport Photos
Correct Poland passport photos:
Incorrect passport photos:
Source: Gov.pl2
Steps to get a Poland passport photo Online
Here’s the step-by-step process for obtaining your passport photo through Visas for Future.
Step 1: Visit Visas for Future.
Step 2: Click on “Get Passport Photo now“
Step 3: Fill out the order form: Enter your name, email, country of residence, and what country you are applying to.
Step 4: Pay the application fee.
Step 5: Upload your photo.
Step 6: Receive your photo in seven business days for printed photo service or in 24 hours for digital photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors to wear for a passport photo?
For a passport photo, choose solid, darker colors like black, blue, or brown. They contrast well with the white background and won’t blend in, making your face stand out clearly. While brighter colors aren’t forbidden, avoid anything too distracting or patterned.
What do I wear to a visa photo?
For a visa photo, dress professionally but comfortably in plain clothes with a neutral color palette. Avoid busy patterns, hats (except religious ones), sunglasses, jewelry, and uniforms. Ensure your face is fully visible with hair swept back and glasses off (unless medically necessary).
- Zdjęcie do dowodu lub paszportu – informacje – Gov.pl – Portal Gov.pl. (2017). Gov.pl. <https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/zdjecie-do-dowodu-lub-paszportu> [↩]
- Zdjęcie do dowodu lub paszportu – informacje – Gov.pl – Portal Gov.pl. (2017). Gov.pl. <https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/zdjecie-do-dowodu-lub-paszportu> [↩]
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Cite this article
MLA Style
Orcales, Wences. "Poland Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/polish-passport-photo-rules/. Accessed on 22 September 2023.
Chicago Style
Orcales, Wences. "Poland Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future. September 22, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/polish-passport-photo-rules/.