Visa Photo — Sweden Requirements

Photo Dimensions

Size: 35 × 45 mm

Tips for Getting the Right Size

• Use idpic.app to automatically crop and resize your photo to the exact required dimensions — no manual calculation needed.
• Keep your face centred in the frame with your head fully visible from crown to chin.
• When printing, ensure you print at 100% scale (not "fit to page") to preserve the correct dimensions.
• Your face should fill the correct proportion of the photo. idpic.app shows a face guide overlay to help you position correctly.

Background Specification

Plain white or light grey background required. The background must be a single, uniform, light colour — either white or a neutral light grey. No patterns, gradients, or shadows.

How to Get the Right Background

• Stand at least 50 cm from the wall to prevent shadows falling on the background.
• Use even, diffuse lighting — a window or softbox pointed at the background helps.
• A plain white or light-coloured wall, a white sheet, or a dedicated photo backdrop all work well.
• Use idpic.app to automatically replace your background with the correct colour — no manual editing required.

Glasses requirements

Prescription glasses may be allowed for this photo, but tinted lenses and sunglasses are not permitted. There must be no glare or reflections on the lenses, and your eyes must be clearly visible.

Tips for Taking Your Photo

• Angle the light source slightly to avoid glare on the lenses.
• Do not wear sunglasses, photochromic (transition), or any tinted lenses.
• Clean the lenses before taking the photo to prevent smudges or reflections.

Common Rejection Reasons

• Wrong background. Sweden Visa photos require a plain Plain light background with no shadows, patterns, or objects. Retake the photo against a flat, evenly lit backdrop.
• Tinted lenses. Sunglasses, photochromic, or any tinted or dark lenses are not permitted in Sweden Visa photos. Only clear prescription lenses are accepted.
• Face obscured by head covering. Religious head coverings are allowed, but your full face — from chin to forehead — must remain visible with no shadow cast on it.
• Face size out of range. Your face must fill between 70% and 80% of the photo height. Move closer to or further from the camera and recrop.
• Photo too old. Sweden Visa photos must be taken within the last 6 months. Take a new photo if yours is older.
• Low resolution or blurry. Your photo must be sharp and at least 300 pixels on its shortest side. Use good lighting and hold the camera steady.
• Shadows. Shadows across your face or on the background — often from overhead lighting or a nearby wall — are a common rejection reason. Use soft, even lighting from the front.
• Wrong expression. Smiling, frowning, closed eyes, or an open mouth can cause rejection. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open, looking directly at the camera.
• Wrong paper or printing. Home-printed photos on regular paper, or prints with a glossy coating that catches light, are often rejected. Print on quality matte photo paper at full size and 100% scale.

About photo requirements

When applying for a Swedish passport, you must adhere to the strict standards set by the Swedish Police Authority. Unlike many other nations where you submit photos from home, the Swedish system is highly integrated, requiring a specific photographic process. Understanding these guidelines is essential to ensure your application is processed without delays by the Swedish Police Authority.

Your Swedish passport photo must measure exactly 35x45mm and feature a light grey or neutral background. You must maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed and your eyes clearly visible, looking directly at the camera. Glasses are permitted provided there is no reflection on the lenses and the frames do not obscure your eyes. Head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons, ensuring your face remains fully visible.

In Sweden, the process is unique because you generally do not upload a digital file yourself. Instead, you visit a local passport office where the staff takes your digital photo on-site as part of your application appointment. If you are preparing for a different type of ID, you can use idpic.app to ensure your file meets the correct technical specifications before printing or submitting.

Common issues

The most frequent reasons for rejection in Sweden involve poor lighting, such as shadows on the face or background, and improper head positioning. Many applicants fail because their expression is not sufficiently neutral or their eyes are partially covered by hair or frames. Additionally, incorrect head size within the frame often leads to immediate rejection, so ensure your head occupies the correct proportion of the 35x45mm space.

Local tips

Because the police station takes your photo during your appointment, you do not need to bring physical prints for a standard passport application. Ensure you arrive at the station well-groomed and avoid wearing light-coloured clothing that might blend into the grey background. If you require ID photos for other purposes, professional studios across Sweden charge roughly 200 to 400 SEK for a high-quality set of printed images.