Czech Residence Permit Photo Guidelines and Requirements
Prepare an accurate 35×45 mm photo for your Czech residence permit application by following these official rules from the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic.
Official Size and Layout Dimensions
The official size for a Czech residence permit photo is 35 by 45 millimeters, which equals about 1.38 by 1.77 inches[1]. Residence permit applications may require you to submit one current 35 by 45 millimeter printed photo[1]. This specific size helps maintain uniformity across paperwork processed by the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic[1].
The photograph must leave at least 2 mm between the top of the head and the upper edge[1]. Face height, measured from the eyes to the chin, must be at least 13 mm[1].
Background Colors and Lighting Requirements
Your photo background must be white to light blue or light grey, and a smooth transition between these colors is allowed[1]. You must avoid using dark backgrounds, strong patterns, or busy textures because the issuing office will refuse them. To achieve a clean background, stand a short distance away from a plain wall to stop shadows from forming behind your head.
For lighting, face a large window during daylight hours to get bright, even illumination across your face. Avoid overhead ceiling lights that create harsh shadows under your nose and chin. Turn off your camera flash to prevent red-eye effects and shiny spots on your skin.
Facial Expression, Glasses, and Headwear Rules
The photo rules require a neutral expression, a closed mouth, and open eyes[1]. Glasses are allowed conditionally[1].
Headwear is permitted for religious or medical reasons[1]. The supplied rules do not specify a shadow test or the face boundaries described here.
Children, Minors, and Biometric Capture Procedures
Third-country nationals receiving biometric residence cards have their facial images captured directly by the Ministry of the Interior, and exact requirements differ by application and residence status[1][2]. For children under the age of 6, only a facial image is taken during biometric collection, and fingerprints are not collected from them[2].
Requirements vary by application and residence status. Some applications require a printed photo, while biometric card applicants have their facial image captured during biometrics[1][2]. Check the instructions for your specific application.
Step-by-Step Guide to Taking Your Photo at Home
Taking your photo at home is simple if you follow basic setup steps. Stand about one to one and a half meters away from the camera lens to prevent facial distortion. Ask a friend or family member to take the picture for you instead of trying to take a self-portrait or selfie.
For a practice photo, position the camera at eye level and use the tool above to crop it to 35 × 45 mm.
Preparing, Printing, and Checking Your Final Photo
If your specific application route requires a physical printed photo, you must prepare the file correctly. You can arrange your cropped 35 by 45 millimeter image onto a standard 4 by 6 inch digital photo sheet. Take this saved file to a local photo kiosk and print it as an ordinary glossy photograph.
If you print a photo, check that it measures 35 × 45 mm and has at least 2 mm of space above the head[1]. The face height, from the eyes to the chin, must be at least 13 mm[1].
Frequently asked questions
What is the official photo size for a Czech residence permit?
The official photo size is 35 by 45 millimeters[1].
Can I wear glasses in my residence permit photo?
Glasses are allowed conditionally[1].
What colors are permitted for the background?
The background must be white to light blue or light grey, and a smooth transition between these colors is allowed[1].
Do children need to provide printed photos?
How can I prepare my photo using the tool on this page?
You can use the tool above to crop your digital photo to the required 35 by 45 millimeter size and arrange it onto a 4 by 6 inch sheet for printing.