Kosovo refugee travel document photo (35×45 mm)

Understanding Your Travel Document and Size

The Ministry of Internal Affairs issues biometric travel documents for refugees and certain foreigners or stateless people. The cited instruction does not set a photo size^[1].

The cited instruction does not set a head-height measurement or a numeric photo size^[1]. For this document, the chip includes one photograph, captured digitally by the authority to ICAO standards^[1].

The authority captures the photo digitally, so you do not need to bring a printed photo for this process^[1].

How the Official Photo Is Captured

The biometric photo is captured digitally by the authority according to ICAO standards^[1]. Because the authority takes the photo itself during your appointment, you must follow their onsite procedures when you visit the office^[1]. Knowing this process helps you understand why home photos might only serve as practice.

The tool above can still help you to rehearse, check a photo, or prepare a copy for other uses. You can crop your images to the standard dimensions and check your framing before you head out to your appointment.

Background and Lighting Standards

Biometric photo is captured according to ICAO standards; the instruction does not specify a background color^[1]. When you take practice photos at home, set up in a room with bright, even light to mimic official conditions.

Face a window to catch natural light and avoid dark shadows behind your ears or neck. Keep the camera at eye level about one to one and a half meters away from your face. Having a friend or family member take the picture helps you keep your posture straight and your shoulders level.

Glasses, Expression, and Head Coverings

The instruction does not specify rules for glasses or headwear^[1].

The cited instruction does not specify rules for shadows, face visibility, mouth position, or facial expression^[1]. Still, keeping your face clear and your expression neutral is a good habit for any official identity document.

Special Rules for Children and Infants

The instruction says children under 6 have their photograph taken, but not their fingerprints^[1]. It does not specify separate photo dimensions for children.

Lay your child on a plain white sheet on the floor if they cannot sit up on their own, and stand directly above them to take the picture. Make sure their eyes are open and they look toward the camera. You can use the tool above to crop your child's practice photo to the commonly requested size so you can see how it looks.

Common Reasons Photos Are Refused

Photos often get rejected if the lighting is uneven or your expression is not natural. Check your practice photos for closed eyes, tilted heads, or dark shadows on your face.

The cited instruction does not list reasons a photo may be refused^[1].

Taking your practice photo at home

Setting up a home photo shoot is simple if you follow a few basic steps. Find a plain wall, stand about one meter away, and ask a helper to take the picture using a digital camera or smartphone.

Stand straight, relax your shoulders, and look directly into the camera lens. Good lighting helps keep your face clear and bright without harsh shadows.

Before your office visit

Since the authority captures the final biometric image during your appointment, you should arrive prepared for their staff to take the picture. Wear neat clothing and follow any instructions given by the office workers.

Keep in mind that home practice photos cannot replace the official capture, but they help you get comfortable with the process.