Your Switzerland itinerary is almost set, the visa is one click away… and then you hit that surprisingly tricky part—the visa photo. Too bright? Too dark? Off-center? Wrong background? Even a tiny error can lead to delays or rejection.
But don’t 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 Switzerland’s official biometric standards.
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: 70–80% 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 Switzerland visa photo size must measure 35mm in width and 45mm in height (1.38 x 1.77 inches, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm in cms). The width of the face shall be between 16 mm and 20 mm from ear to ear.
To ensure accurate facial recognition and verification, the face, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the crown (not the top of the hair), as well as the left and right sides of the face, should occupy 70% to 80% of the total photograph.
Note: Photos will be rejected if the face measures less than 27 mm or more than 40 mm.
Format
For online Switzerland visa applications, the digital photo must be in JPG or JPEG format and should not exceed 120 KB in file size.
Submitting files in unsupported formats such as BMP, TIFF, GIF, or PDF may result in application rejection. Photos can be black or white or color.
Photograph quality
The photo must be printed on high quality paper with a resolution of atleast 600 dpi [if clicked on digital camera]. The color photograph must have proper color balance (approriate brightness and contrast) and show natural skin tone. The photograph must show only the applicant [no other persons or objects in the photograph].
Note: Digital camera photographs must be high-quality, in color, and printed on photo-quality paper preferably not glossy
Background
The photo background must be plain and light so that facial features are distinguishable and contrast with it.
In the case of light coloured hair, a medium grey background is suitable and in the case of dark hair, light grey background is suitable. The background should not be patterned. And shadows on the background is not acceptable.
The Switzerland visa photo must not have any borders or extra margins. A clean, borderless image ensures it meets official formatting requirements and is suitable for biometric processing.
Recent Photo:
The photo must be taken within the last six months to accurately reflect your current appearance. If there have been any noticeable changes, such as a drastic haircut or significant alteration to facial hair, a new photo may be required to avoid delays or issues with identification.
Style and Lighting
Photographs must be taken with even lighting. Shadows, reflections and red-eye are not acceptable. The eyes in the photograph should be open and clearly visible. No hair across the face or eyes. Eyes must be in the upper half of the photograph (minimum distance between the center of the two eyes: 8mm)
Photo Clarity & Resolution
Photo resolution should be 400 dpi, so, when the image is scanned or uploaded, check this parameter carefully. However, the higher the resolution, the bigger the picture. The photo must be in sharp focus, clear, undamaged and of high quality with no ink marks or creases
Expressions and Frame
You should show your face square on to the camera, no portrait style (not looking over ones shoulder) or tilted and showing both edges of face clearly. The facial expression must be neutral, mouth closed and looking directly at the camera.
Glasses:
If you wear glasses for medical reasons, you must show your eyes clearly no reflections and no tinted lenses They should not create glare or obscure the eyes, as reflections can interfere with biometric accuracy. The edge of glasses or lenses should not cover any part of the eyes
Head Covers
Head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons. They must be plain, pattern-free, and not obscure any facial features. The full face, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, must be visible, including the edges. Shadows on the face are not acceptable.
Switzerland Visa Photo Requirements for Minors
For children under 9, the face should take up to 50-80% of the photograph.
The face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (not hair)should measure between 22mm and 36mm
Children under age 5 do not need to have neutral expressions or look directly into the camera and their heads don’t have to be centred in the photo
Children under 1 do not need to have their eyes open.
The frame should not show hands, toys, a chair or other people—only the child.
Ensure the child's face is clear and facing forward.
Please note: If the child or baby needs support, the support must not be visible in the photo. The supporting hand can be hidden under the child’s clothing.
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 ‘Transform’ 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 application—online or in print.
Note: You can apply for your Switzerland visa through Atlys for a smooth, end-to-end, and error-free experience.
Do’s & Don’ts 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
Don’t:
Don’t smile, frown, or tilt your head
Don’t wear hats or decorative headgear
Don’t use filters or digital enhancements
Don’t submit old, blurry, or low-quality photos
Don’t allow shadows or bright spots on your face or background
What happens if my visa photo is rejected?
If your photo doesn’t meet Switzerland's biometric standards, your application may be delayed or rejected. You’ll 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 there’s any doubt, it’s 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
15 Oct 2025
Written By:
Jyoti Bhatt
Edited By:
Arun Kumar Gundu
15 Oct 2025
Written By:
Jyoti Bhatt
Edited By:
Arun Kumar Gundu