Everything you need to know about Austria visa photo requirements, including exact dimensions, background color, pose rules, and how to take a compliant photo at home.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Austria |
| Document Type | Visa |
| Photo Size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Pixel Dimensions | 827 × 1063 pixels at 600 DPI |
| Head Size | Approx. 2/3 of photo, max 36 mm head height |
| Background Color | Light and plain (ICAO standard) |
| Printable | Yes — on matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
| Digital for Online Submission | Yes |
| Photo Paper Type | Matte or glossy |
| Color | Color only (black and white not accepted) |
| Number of Photos | 1 |
| Recency | Taken within the last 3 months |
The Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs has specific requirements for visa photos. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted.
Glasses are permitted as long as your eyes are clearly visible with no reflections.
Source: Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs — Visa
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Austrian visa photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.) is more than capable of taking a visa-quality photo. Make sure the lens is clean and the camera is set to the highest resolution.
Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo for you. Selfies tend to have the wrong angle and distortion.
Stand facing a window with natural daylight for the best even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows. If using indoor lighting, use multiple light sources from different angles to eliminate shadows.
Wear your normal everyday clothing. Avoid uniforms and tops that blend with the background. If you wear religious head coverings daily, you may keep them on as long as your full face is visible.
Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes or cast shadows on your face.
Stand about 1.5 meters in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level — not tilted. Ensure your entire face from chin to forehead is visible.
Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. No smiling, frowning, or exaggerated expressions.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable visa photos
An Austria visa photo must be exactly 35×45 mm. At 600 DPI, this equals 827×1063 pixels. The head should occupy approximately 2/3 of the photo, with a maximum head height of 36 mm.
Glasses are permitted as long as your eyes are clearly visible with no reflections. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are not allowed. Make sure there are no glare or reflections on the lenses that could obscure your eyes.
No. You must maintain a neutral facial expression with both eyes open and your mouth closed. No smiling, frowning, or exaggerated expressions are permitted.
Yes! You can take your visa photo with any smartphone. Simply upload it to PassportPhoto.help and our AI will automatically crop, resize, remove the background, and ensure it meets all official Austrian visa photo requirements.
The background must be light and plain, following ICAO standards. It must be uniform with no shadows, patterns, or objects visible. If you don't have a suitable background, our tool will automatically replace it for you.
Your visa photo must have been taken within the last 3 months. This is stricter than the Austrian passport requirement of 6 months. Make sure the photo reflects your current appearance.
Head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical reasons. Your full face must be visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead. The head covering must not cast shadows on your face.
The photo should be attached to the application form — do not staple or glue it. Follow the specific instructions provided with your visa application form to ensure the photo is properly attached.