Albania visa photos and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Albania’s visa photo standard is set by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEFA), the authority that runs the country’s visa channel. Unlike most of its neighbours, Albania does not use the Schengen 35×45 mm size. Its visa photo is 36×47 mm on a plain white background, matching the domestic biometric ID print, and a photo no older than six months.
Applications are filed through the centralized state portal at e-visa.al. There is no VFS, BLS, or TLS visa application centre for Albania, and walk-in submission at a consulate happens only when an embassy specifically requests it. The portal accepts the photo as a digital upload alongside the rest of the application, and the same 36×47 mm spec is used whether the image is uploaded or printed for an embassy file.
MEFA enforces the published rules strictly. A photo that uses the wrong dimensions, the wrong background, or that does not meet biometric framing conventions can lead to the application being held, returned for a fresh upload, or refused outright. Getting the photo right the first time keeps the visa file moving.
Albania visa photo requirements
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEFA) publishes a short checklist for visa photos. The rules below cover what the subject must look like in the final image.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionKeep a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Teeth should not be visible.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera. Nothing may obscure the eyes.
- Face the cameraFace the camera squarely with the head upright. Avoid tilting or turning the head to the side.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesGlasses are not permitted in the photo. Remove standard prescription frames before capture. A medical exemption requires supporting documentation.
- Tinted or coloured lensesTinted lenses, sunglasses, and heavy decorative frames are not accepted under any circumstances.
Hair & facial features
- Hair off the faceHair must not fall across the eyes or obscure the outline of the face. Fringes that cover the eyebrows or eyelashes are not accepted.
- EarsEars do not need to be visible. Hair styled over the ears is acceptable provided the face remains fully visible.
Headwear
- No hats or capsHeadwear is not permitted for general applicants. The head must be uncovered in the photo.
- Religious head coveringsHead coverings worn for religious reasons are accepted as long as the full face from forehead to chin is unobstructed and no shadows fall across the features.
Jewelry & cosmetics
- JewelryJewelry is permitted only if it does not alter the natural appearance of the face or cast shadows. Avoid large earrings, nose rings, or pieces that obscure facial landmarks.
- CosmeticsEveryday makeup is acceptable. Heavy makeup that significantly changes the natural appearance is not.
Clothing
- Everyday clothingWear ordinary day clothing. Uniforms are not accepted, with the exception of religious dress.
- Contrast with backgroundChoose a top that contrasts with a plain white background so the outline of the shoulders and neck remains clearly defined.
Photo recency
- Taken within six monthsThe photograph must have been taken no more than six months before the visa application is submitted. Older photos are rejected by MEFA.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 33 mm and 36 mm (roughly 70–77% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 22 mm and 26 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Both shoulders must be square to the camera and visible. Three-quarter angles or rotated torsos are not accepted.
- The full face from chin to crown must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
Albania accepts more than one size — we generate them all.
Albania publishes more than one acceptable format depending on where you submit your application — domestic passport offices, the official online portal, and regional consulates abroad can each call for a different print or pixel size. We render every variant below from the same source photo, so the head sits at the same physical position across files, and each one arrives in your order email with a clear filename indicating which submission channel it's for.
Albania Visa 36×47 mm
Primary · Print + DigitalAlbania's official format — the same file works for both printed in-person submissions and the online portal upload.
Albania Visa 40×50 mm — e-Visa
Print + DigitalSized for Albania's e-Visa online application.
How recent the photo must be.
Your visa photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Photos for infants and young children.
MEFA does not publish separate visa photo rules for children, but standard biometric practice relaxes a small set of requirements for infants.
Infants (under 12 months)
Infants are held to a more forgiving standard for expression and head position. The image must still show only the child.
- ExpressionA neutral expression is not required. The infant’s mouth may be open or closed.
- EyesEyes do not need to be fully open, though an open-eye photo is preferred where possible.
- Head positionMinor tilt and rotation of the head is tolerated, as long as the face is broadly oriented toward the camera.
- No visible supportHands, arms, car seats, cushions, and other props supporting the infant must not appear anywhere in the frame.
Other things to know.
A few things about the Albanian visa channel that are easy to miss.
Non-Schengen print size
Albania uses a 36 by 47 mm photo, matching its domestic biometric ID standard. A Schengen 35 by 45 mm photo is not compliant for an Albanian visa, even though the two look almost identical at a glance.
E-visa portal only
All visa applications are filed through the official e-visa.al portal. Albania does not use VFS Global, BLS, or any other visa application centre for foreign visa intake, so the photo is uploaded digitally rather than handed over at a counter.
Rare consular submissions
On the uncommon occasions when an embassy requests a physical print (for example during an in-person interview), the same 36 by 47 mm size applies. One printed copy is sufficient.
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Print-quality requirements for in-person submissions.
When you submit a printed photo at a visa application centre, the paper, finish, and ink all matter. The points below cover the standards most consular missions accept.
- Print on photographic-quality paper at 300 DPI minimum.
- Use a matte or semi-gloss finish; high-gloss can produce reflections that confuse biometric scanners.
- Do not retouch, crop, or alter the photo after printing.
- Bring at least two identical prints when the submission channel calls for paper photos.