About the Cyprus visa photo standard
Cyprus visa photos are governed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and enforced at the counter by the ministry’s visa application centre partners, principally VFS Global and BLS International, with TLScontact handling certain family categories from China. The same 35 by 45 mm specification applies to every visa class, whether short-stay Category C, airport transit Category A, or long-stay Category D.
Cyprus does not currently operate an e-visa upload portal. The Pro-visa scheme was suspended in October 2022, so every application is paper-based and applicants submit physical prints at a VAC counter or directly to an embassy or consulate. VFS Global and BLS International both require two printed copies; TLScontact accepts one for the China family route.
Counter staff measure prints against templates and check them against ICAO biometric norms. A photo that fails on size, recency, background, or facial framing will be rejected on the spot, which means rebooking the appointment and resubmitting the file before the visa can move forward.
What the Republic of Cyprus expects in your visa photo
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its visa application centres apply ICAO-style biometric rules at the counter. The points below are what the subject must get right before the print is accepted.
Expression & pose
- Face the camera squarelyAdopt a full frontal pose with the head upright and both eyes looking directly at the lens. VFS Global, BLS International, and TLScontact all require a straight, forward-facing portrait with no tilt or rotation.
- Neutral expressionKeep the expression neutral with the mouth closed. Smiles, frowns, raised eyebrows, and other distortions are not accepted under the passport-style standard that VAC counters enforce.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be open and clearly visible. Hair, frames, or shadows falling across the eyes will cause the photo to be rejected.
Eyewear & lenses
- No tinted lensesTinted glasses and sunglasses are explicitly prohibited on Cyprus visa photos. The BLS International checklist states the rule plainly: no tinted glasses.
- Clear prescription glassesClear prescription glasses are tolerated at the counter provided the eyes are fully visible behind the lenses and there is no reflection on the glass. Removing glasses for the photo is the safer choice.
Hair & face
- Hair off the faceHair must not fall across the eyes or the outline of the face. The full face from chin to forehead and from cheek to cheek has to be unobstructed in the frame.
Headwear
- No casual hats or capsHats, caps, beanies, headbands, and other non-religious head coverings are not permitted. The head must be bare unless a recognised religious or medical exception applies.
- Religious & medical coveringsHead coverings worn daily for religious or medical reasons are accepted as long as the entire face from chin to forehead and both cheek edges remain fully visible with no shadow cast on the features.
Jewelry & cosmetics
- Avoid glare and obstructionJewelry and cosmetics must not obscure facial features or generate glare. Heavy earrings, large pendants near the chin, and reflective makeup should be removed before the photo is taken.
Clothing
- Everyday clothingWear ordinary, non-uniform clothing in a tone that contrasts with the light background so the head and shoulders read clearly at the counter. Uniforms and camouflage are not appropriate.
Photo quality
- No shadows on the faceHeavy shadows cast by hat brims, hair, or strong side lighting cause rejection. The face has to be evenly lit from chin to crown.
- No red-eyeRed-eye from on-camera flash is not accepted. Eyes must show their natural colour with no reflection from the pupil.
- Sharp focusThe photo has to be sharp from edge to edge. Motion blur from the subject moving during the exposure will cause the print to be turned away at the VAC counter.
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.
Cyprus accepts more than one size — we generate them all.
Cyprus 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.
Cyprus Visa 35×45 mm
Primary · Print + DigitalCyprus's official format — the same file works for both printed in-person submissions and the online portal upload.
Cyprus Visa 2×2 in — from US consulate
Print + DigitalPrint size accepted by US-based consular missions for applicants in the United States.
How recent the photo must be.
Your visa photo must have been taken within the last three 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 Cyprus-specific points are worth flagging because they trip up applicants who reuse Schengen photos or follow generic European guidance.
No e-visa upload channel
Cyprus does not operate an e-visa portal. The Pro-visa scheme for certain travellers was suspended in October 2022 and has not been reinstated. Every application requires physical printed photographs handed in at a VAC or consulate.
Three-month recency window
VFS Global requires the photo to have been taken within the last three months. This is stricter than the Schengen six-month norm, so a recent Schengen photo can still be rejected if the print is older than ninety days.
Two prints, not one
VFS Global and BLS International ask for two identical printed copies per applicant. TLScontact (used for the China family category) accepts one. Bring two prints by default unless your VAC clearly specifies otherwise.
Republic of Cyprus only
These rules cover the Republic of Cyprus, with entry through Larnaca, Paphos, or Limassol. Northern Cyprus operates a separate visa regime that is not recognised by the Republic and is out of scope for this spec.
Take your Cyprus visa photo at home in three steps.
Free to check. You only pay when you keep it.
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.