Latvian Schengen Visitor Visa Photo Requirements
Get your Latvian Schengen visitor visa photo right by following official size and quality rules. You can prepare your photo with the help of the tool above.
Official Size and Dimensions
For a Latvian visa application, submit one colour photograph measuring 35×45 mm[1]. Check your receiving mission’s checklist for any additional requirements.
The face, from the chin line to the hairline, must occupy 70–80% of the photo’s height[2].
Background and Lighting Standards
The photo must have a homogeneous white or light-grey background with no visible shadows[2].
Good lighting helps prevent shadows on your backdrop. You can face a window for soft, natural light, or have someone else take the picture while you sit a short distance away from the wall to avoid casting any dark outlines.
Facial Expression and Posture
The rules require a natural, ordinary, neutral expression and a neutral gaze directed at the camera[2].
Your head must be straight and level, not tilted to the side, up, or down. The camera should be placed at your exact eye level about one to one and a half meters away to keep your face looking natural and unwarped.
Glasses and Eye Visibility
Wearing glasses in your visa photo is allowed only under specific conditions[2]. If you wear glasses, your eyes must be fully visible without any glare or reflection on the lenses.
The frames must not cover any part of your eyes. Heavy, dark frames or tinted lenses are not permitted. If your glasses create reflections, it is often safer to take them off for the photo to avoid refusal by the embassy or consulate.
Headwear and Children Rules
You must be without headwear unless you wear it daily for religious reasons; it must not cover your face[2].
Children applying for a visa also need to provide a photo, and the rules apply to them as well, though no separate infant crop dimensions are confirmed[1][2]. If you are taking a photo of a baby or toddler, lay them on a plain light sheet or use a car seat covered with a plain white sheet to get a clear, shadow-free shot.
Printing and Submission Guidelines
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists one colour photograph measuring 35×45 mm among the required documents[1].
You can use the tool above to crop your image to the correct 35×45 mm dimensions and place it onto a standard 4×6-inch photo sheet. You can then print this sheet at a local store kiosk as an ordinary 4×6-inch photo, and cut out your prints carefully with scissors or a paper cutter.
Common Reasons for Photo Refusal
The photo rules require the specified face proportion, a neutral expression, visible eyes, and no shadows on the face or background[2].
Checking your photo against every official rule before you submit your visa application helps you avoid these common pitfalls and keeps your paperwork moving forward.
Frequently asked questions
What size must the Latvian visa photo be?
Can I wear glasses in my Latvian visa photo?
Glasses are allowed only under specific conditions, and your eyes must be completely visible without any glare or reflections on the lenses[2].
What is the required head height for the photo?
The face, measured from the chin line to the hairline, must occupy 70–80% of the photo’s height[2].