Your Switzerland itinerary is almost set, the visa is one click away⌠and then you hit that surprisingly tricky partâthe visa photo. Too bright? Too dark? Off-center? Wrong background? Even a tiny error can lead to delays or rejection.
But donât worry! The Atlys Switzerland Visa Photo Maker Tool is here to take that stress off your plate. Whether you upload a selfie or snap a new shot, the tool automatically resizes, adjusts, brightens, and aligns your photo to meet Switzerlandâs official biometric standards.
How to Use the Switzerland Visa Photo Maker Tool?
Applying for a Swiss visa? Make sure your photo meets all the official biometric requirements with the help of this easy-to-use tool:
1. Upload Your Photo: Choose a recent passport-style photo from your phone or computer in JPEG, JPG, or PNG format. You can also take a new one using your phone camera.
2. Adjust & Resize: Click âTransformâ and let the tool automatically crop, centre, brighten, and format your photo based on Switzerland's visa photo guidelines.
3. Download & Use: Once the photo is adjusted and approved, download it and attach it to your Switzerland visa applicationâonline or in print.
Note: You can apply for your Switzerland visa through Atlys for a smooth, end-to-end, and error-free experience.
Switzerland Visa Photo Requirements
Here are the official ICAO-compliant photo requirements used for Switzerland visa and passport applications:
Height & Width: 35 mm to 40 mm wide
Face Size: 70â80% of the image (close-up of head and top of shoulders)
File Size: up to 500 KB for digital uploads
File Format: JPEG or PNG
Photo Age: Taken within the last 6 months
Colour: Must be in colour with neutral tones
Background: Plain, light-colored background (white, light grey, or cream)
Expression: Neutral expression with mouth closed
Eyes: Open, looking directly at the camera
Glasses: Allowed if eyes are visible, without glare or tinted lenses
Head Coverings: Only for religious reasons, and must not obscure facial features
Quality: High resolution, printed on photo-quality paper, with no creases, ink marks, or red-eye
Switzerland Visa Photo Size
The photo must be between 35 mm and 40 mm wide, with your face taking up 70â80% of the height. It should be a close-up from the top of your head to just below the shoulders, ensuring all facial features are clearly visible.
Switzerland Visa Photo File Size & Format
The image must be in JPEG or PNG format. The file size is usually limited to around 500 KB for online uploads, though this may vary. Printed photos should be on photo-quality paper, with no visible pixels, creases, or ink marks.
Switzerland Visa Photo Background
The background must be light-colored, such as white, light grey, or cream. It must be plain and evenly lit, with no shadows, textures, or objects. Busy or colored backgrounds will lead to rejection.
Face Size & Positioning
Your face should fill 70â80% of the photo, with the head centred and both sides of the face visible. The photo should include the top of the shoulders, with eyes positioned horizontally and no tilt or turn.
No Borders Allowed
Your photo must be borderless. Photos with visible edges, frames, or decorative borders will not be accepted.
Recent Photo Required
The photograph must be taken within the last 6 months and accurately reflect your appearance.
Photo Clarity & Resolution
Images must be sharp, evenly lit, and in focus. Avoid underexposed, overexposed, blurry, or pixelated photos, as well as red-eye, flash glare, and unnatural lighting.
Head Position & Expression
Face the camera directly, with your head upright and centred. Maintain a neutral expression, with your mouth closed and eyes open. You are not allowed to look away, tilt your head, or smile.
Headgear Guidelines
Head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical reasons. Your entire face, from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, and both sides of your face must be visible. No part of the face may be covered, and the covering must not cast shadows.
Switzerland Visa Photo Requirements for Minors
Infants and Children must be photographed alone. No toys, support hands, or parents should appear in the frame.
Neutral expression is preferred, but a natural, calm look is acceptable for babies.
Eyes should be open (but not mandatory for newborns).
Frontal view is required, with the face centred and clearly visible.
Background and lighting must match adult standards.
Doâs & Donâts of Switzerland Visa Photo
Do:
Use even, natural lighting
Ensure the background is plain and light-colored
Keep your face centred with a neutral expression
Remove hair from your face
Wear clear, non-reflective glasses (if needed)
Submit recent, unaltered images
Donât:
Donât smile, frown, or tilt your head
Donât wear hats or decorative headgear
Donât use filters or digital enhancements
Donât submit old, blurry, or low-quality photos
Donât allow shadows or bright spots on your face or background
What happens if my visa photo is rejected?
If your photo doesnât meet Switzerland's biometric standards, your application may be delayed or rejected. Youâll usually be asked to resubmit a correct photo. Using a verified tool like Atlys reduces that risk significantly.
Are glasses allowed in the photo?
Yes, but only if your eyes are fully visible. Avoid glare, reflections, or tinted lenses. If thereâs any doubt, itâs safer to remove your glasses before taking the photo.
Can I reuse a passport photo from a previous application?
Only if it was taken within the last 6 months and still reflects your current appearance. Old or outdated photos may lead to rejection.
Does the Atlys photo tool meet Switzerland's biometric photo standards?
Yes. The Atlys Switzerland Visa Photo Tool is built to align with ICAO-compliant photo guidelines, which Switzerland follows for visas. It ensures your photo meets all technical and visual requirements for smooth application processing.
How we reviewed this tool:
Our experts continually monitor the official sources for any changes, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
- Current Version
16 Apr 2025
Written By:
Jyoti Bhatt
Edited By:
Jyoti Bhatt
16 Apr 2025
Written By:
Jyoti Bhatt
Edited By:
Jyoti Bhatt