Bosnia and Herzegovina visa photo rules from the Ministry of Security
The Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Služba za poslove sa strancima) sets the photo standard through the Rulebook on Issuance of Visas, which calls for a color photograph at 35×45 mm that faithfully shows the holder of the travel document. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs administers the rule through its diplomatic and consular missions, and the same specification covers airport transit (Visa A), transit (Visa B), short-stay (Visa C) and long-stay (Visa D) applications, as well as in-country visa extensions.
Bosnia and Herzegovina does not operate an e-visa portal. Every applicant submits a physical print, glued into the dimensionally exact photo box on the official visa application form. Most applicants file in person at a Bosnian embassy or consulate, while VFS Global operates Visa Application Centres on behalf of the mission in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. Personal appearance is generally mandatory for issuance.
Consular officers compare the print to the Rulebook before they accept the form. A photo that misses the 35×45 mm box, shows the wrong background, or fails the Ministry’s likeness standard is returned with the application, and the file is held until a compliant replacement arrives. Applicants who submit a U.S. 2×2 inch print, a common error, are turned away because the print cannot be trimmed cleanly into the form’s photo window.
What the Ministry of Security expects in your visa photo
The Rulebook requires a photograph that faithfully shows the holder. Submissions that miss the mark on expression, eyewear, hair, or headwear are rejected at the embassy or VFS Global counter.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionThe face must carry a neutral expression with the mouth closed. No smiling and no visible teeth.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be fully open and looking directly into the camera. Hair, frames, or lenses must not cover any part of the eyes.
- Head straight to cameraFace the camera squarely with the head level. No tilt, no rotation, and both sides of the face roughly equally visible.
Eyewear & lenses
- Glasses discouragedEyeglasses are generally not accepted under the current ICAO-aligned enforcement. If worn for medical reasons, the eyes must be fully visible with no glare on the lenses.
- Tinted lenses prohibitedSunglasses and tinted or photochromic lenses are not permitted. Thick frames that obscure the eyes are also rejected.
Hair & facial hair
- Hair off the faceHair must be arranged so the eyes, eyebrows, and facial outline are clearly visible. Bangs covering the forehead or eyes are not accepted.
- Natural appearanceThe photograph must reflect the applicant’s current and habitual appearance, including any beard or moustache normally worn.
Headwear
- Religious head coveringsHeadwear is prohibited except when worn for religious reasons. The full face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead must remain visible and no shadow may fall across the face.
- No hats or capsSecular hats, caps, hoods, and headbands are not accepted.
Jewelry & accessories
- Nothing obscuring the faceJewelry, piercings, or accessories must not cover facial features, cast shadows, or produce glare in the image.
Cosmetics
- Light makeup onlyHeavy cosmetics that alter the natural shape of the face or biometric features are not accepted.
Clothing
- Everyday clothingOrdinary day clothing is expected. Uniforms and camouflage attire are not accepted.
Photo quality
- No shadows on the faceThe face must be evenly lit. Shadows cast by a hat brim, by hair, or across one side of the face will cause rejection.
- No red-eyeRed-eye from flash reflection is not accepted in the final print.
- Faithful likenessThe image must show the applicant truthfully and must have been taken within the last six months. Significant changes in appearance require a fresh photograph.
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 73–81% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 21 mm and 25 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.
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
Other things to know.
A few quirks of the Bosnian visa channel are worth knowing before you print.
No e-visa portal
Bosnia and Herzegovina does not operate an electronic visa system. Every applicant submits a physical printed photograph, glued to the designated box on the paper visa application form.
VFS Global only in the Gulf
VFS Global runs Bosnian visa application centres only in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. Everywhere else in the world, applicants submit directly to a Bosnian embassy or consulate, in person.
Do not bring a US 2x2 inch photo
The Bosnian application form has a photo box sized precisely for 35x45 mm. A US passport photo at 51x51 mm cannot be trimmed cleanly into that box and is a common cause of rejection for applicants filing in North America.
Permanent residence edge case
One reference in the MSB bylaws cites a 30x35 mm size for permanent residence applications. Standard short-stay and long-stay visas use 35x45 mm. Permanent residence applicants should confirm directly with the MSB Service for Foreigners’ Affairs before printing.
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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.