Switzerland visa photo rules from fedpol and the SEM
The technical standard for a Swiss visa photograph is published by the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) in the Fotomustertafel, and applied by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA) to every Schengen Type A, Type C, and National Type D application. The same specification governs the Swiss passport and identity card, so a compliant visa photo will also meet domestic ID rules.
Switzerland does not operate an e-visa photo upload channel. Applicants must submit a physical 35×45 mm print at a VFS Global or TLScontact visa application centre, or directly at a Swiss embassy or consulate, where a live biometric image and fingerprints are also captured for the Visa Information System. The printed photo is filed alongside the application even when on-site biometrics are taken, and a fresh capture is required unless VIS fingerprints already exist from the last 59 months.
fedpol and the VAC operators enforce the standard strictly. A photo that fails on background tone, head size, expression, or eyewear will be refused at the counter, which delays the file and can push the appointment past the intended travel date. Photographs older than six months are rejected on sight, since the image must reflect the applicant’s current appearance.
Swiss visa photo requirements at a glance
The fedpol Fotomustertafel governs every Swiss visa photo, whether the file goes to a VFS Global centre, a TLScontact centre, or the embassy directly. These are the subject-side rules you control.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionKeep the expression neutral with the mouth closed. Smiling, laughing, and visible teeth are not accepted.
- Direct gazeLook straight into the camera with both eyes fully open and clearly visible. Eyes must not be obscured by hair.
- Head straightFace the camera squarely with the head upright. No tilting, turning, or leaning.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesGlasses are permitted only when the eyes remain fully visible with no glare, no reflections, no tinted lenses, and no heavy frames covering the eyes or eyebrows. fedpol recommends removing them.
- Sunglasses & tintsTinted, photochromic, or coloured lenses are not accepted under any circumstances.
Hair & forehead
- Hair off the faceHair must not cross the eyes or obscure the edges of the face.
- Forehead bangsBangs that cover the forehead, eyebrows, or eyes are prohibited by the Swiss spec.
Headwear
- General ruleHats, caps, and other headwear are prohibited.
- Religious or medical exceptionHead coverings worn for religious or medical reasons are accepted provided the face is fully visible from the chin to the top of the forehead and across both edges, with no shadow cast on the face.
Jewelry & accessories
- Visible featuresJewelry and piercings are permitted as long as they do not obscure facial features or generate reflections that interfere with the image.
Clothing
- Contrast with backgroundWear clothing that contrasts with the light grey background. Avoid white and light grey tops, which blend into the backdrop.
Photo quality
- RecencyThe photo must be no more than six months old and must reflect the applicant’s current appearance. Live biometric capture at the visa application centre is compared against the print.
- Natural appearanceRetouching, skin smoothing, and other alterations to the applicant’s features are not permitted. The image must show the applicant as they actually look.
- Print conditionSubmitted prints must be on photographic paper and free of creases, tears, ink marks, staples, or borders.
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
Photos for infants and young children.
fedpol relaxes parts of the spec for younger applicants, recognising that infants and small children cannot hold a standard adult pose.
Infants (under 1 year)
The strictest pose and expression rules are waived for babies, but the photo must still show the child alone against a light, uniform backdrop.
- EyesEyes may be closed and the gaze does not need to meet the camera.
- Expression & centeringA neutral expression is not required and the head does not need to be perfectly straight or centered.
- Head heightChin-to-crown height is relaxed to roughly 23 to 36 mm of the photo height.
- No supporting hands or propsParents’ hands, toys, pillows, car-seat straps, and other people must not appear anywhere in the frame.
Children (under 11 years)
Children under 11 follow the adult spec with one concession to growing bodies.
- Head heightChin-to-crown height is relaxed to a range of roughly 23 to 36 mm (about 51 to 80 percent of the photo height) per the fedpol Fotomustertafel.
- Expression & gazeThe child should still face the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open and visible.
Other things to know.
A few aspects of the Swiss process catch applicants off guard.
No e-visa photo upload
Although swiss-visa.ch hosts the application form, Switzerland does not accept a digital-only photo submission. A physical 35 by 45 mm print must accompany the file at the visa application centre or embassy.
Dual-photo flow
A printed photo is required even though VFS Global, TLScontact, or the embassy will also capture a live biometric image on the day. Both end up in the application dossier, except when VIS fingerprints from the last 59 months exempt the applicant from on-site capture.
Ears may stay covered
Unlike strict ICAO interpretations, the Swiss spec does not require ears to be visible. Hair styles that cover the ears are accepted as long as the face itself remains unobscured.
Number of prints varies
Schengen Type A and Type C applications typically need two identical prints. National Type D long-stay applications can require up to three, depending on the cantonal migration office handling the file. Check the specific cantonal instructions 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.