Guide on how to take a photo for an Italy visa ,requirements and all relevant details
For your Italian visa application, you need to provide one identity photo which was taken during the last six months, which meets the requirements when it comes to the following:
- Format and size
- Photo quality
- Brightness and background
- Appearance and accessories
- Face expression
You can get your high-quality photograph that complies with all the Italy visa photo requirements at MyBiometricPhotos. You simply need to choose “Italy Visa Photo” under ‘What type of photo do you need?” and upload your photo. The photo is then processed digitally to ensure it meets the requirements of Italian authorities. Since the entire process is completed online, you can print the photos yourself to a place of your choosing.
Please note that if you have to apply via another Schengen embassy for your Italian visa, you may be required to submit more than one photograph. As a result, the first step you complete in your visa application process is to locate an Italian representative or visa office in your country of residence and find out their requirements.
Format and Size
You need to take an Italy visa photo with a size of 35 mm (width) x 45 mm (height), and you must cover around 70% of the photo. You must also be positioned near the camera and too far away so that more than the top of your shoulders is visible in the photo.
Photo Quality
Your Italy visa photo must be of great quality, and you should also ensure that it’s printed on quality paper. The photo cannot have any shadows, creases, scratches, or contrast. Your facial features must be visible, and your natural skin tone must be shown. No editing is allowed for your visa photo unless it’s used to improve the quality of the photo without changing your features.
Brightness and Background
The brightness of your Italy visa photo must be at the correct level so that it’s not so bright it casts a white shadow over your face or that it’s so dark none of your features are visible. Additionally, the background of your photo must be plain with a neutral color that is not too bright or too dark, and there are no patterns, designs, or objects behind you when you take your picture.
Appearance and Accessories
You should appear as natural as you can when you take your visa photo without too much makeup that changes your appearance significantly to the point where you are no longer recognizable. You cannot wear accessories such as hats or sunglasses unless they are for religious and medical reasons, e.g., wearing the Islamic headscarf or prescription glasses.
Face Expression
You must keep your mouth closed and eyes open when you pose for the photo and keep a neutral expression on your face without smiling, frowning, or grimacing. Also, look straight ahead at the camera without leaning sideways and position yourself at the center of the photo.
Are Children Required to Take Visa Photos for Italy?
All minors who apply for an Italy Schengen visa must pose for one identity photo, including infants. While some position guidelines are more relaxed in the case of toddlers, they must keep their eyes open and mouth closed for the photo.
Taking a Visa Photo for Italy: Guide
Here is a simplified guide to how you can take your Italy visa photo:
- Find the place where you’re taking your photo and plan accordingly:
- If you are taking your photo at home, you need to prepare your camera, clean space for the background, and an editing tool to fix the size of your photo. You can find several online websites that offer this service.
- If you are taking your photo at a professional studio, locate one nearest to the embassy, as they are already familiar with taking visa photos. You can also print out the requirements and give them to your photographer.
- Get your outfit and makeup ready so it’s simple and the clothes are plain and settle into the background without creating a contrast.
- If you wear prescription glasses, take your doctor’s assessment with you just in case to show it as proof that you need to keep your glasses for your visa photo. This is a precaution, as most embassies won’t ask you for it.
- Pay the visa photo fee (if you take it with a professional studio).
- Check that the visa photo meets all the requirements before printing.
- Add the photo to your Italy visa application and hand them in.
How to Attach a Photo to Italy Visa Application?
The Italy Schengen visa application form has a specific spot where the photo is meant to be placed (usually located next to the applicant’s name). However, some embassies may ask you to glue the photo, others to staple it, and some may ask you to use a paper clip to attach the photo to your application. You need to contact the embassy beforehand to verify this.