Lithuania visa photos for the Migration Department and VFS Global
Lithuania issues Schengen short-stay visas, national Type D visas, and Temporary Residence Permits under the Migration Department of the Ministry of the Interior, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handling consular intake. The biometric photo standard is 35×45 mm in colour against a plain white or light grey background, and the same specification applies whether the application is for a tourist visa, a long-stay study or work visa, or a residence permit.
Document collection has been outsourced to VFS Global across most jurisdictions, so applicants attend a VFS visa application centre in person and submit self-supplied prints with their packet. VFS will also capture a live biometric image at the appointment, but that on-site capture does not replace the printed photo you bring. Type D and TRP applicants additionally upload a digital copy of the same photo through the MIGRIS portal at migris.lrmd.lt before the appointment.
Enforcement is strict and consistent with Schengen norms. A photo that fails on subject-side rules such as expression, pose, eyewear, or headwear will be refused at the VFS counter or rejected by MIGRIS, which delays the entire application and may require a fresh appointment.
Lithuania Schengen visa photo requirements
The Migration Department and VFS Global enforce the Schengen biometric photo standard for Lithuanian visa applications. The rules below cover what the applicant must look like in the final image.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionThe expression must be strictly neutral. Smiling, frowning, and raised eyebrows are not accepted.
- Mouth closedThe mouth must be firmly closed with no visible teeth. The consular pack explicitly requires that the mouth be entirely closed.
- Eyes open and forwardEyes must be wide open, clearly visible, and looking directly into the camera lens. Squinting and hair across the eyes are not permitted.
- Head straight to cameraThe head must face the camera squarely with no tilt or turn. Both temples and a level shoulder line must be visible in the frame.
Eyewear & lenses
- Prescription eyeglassesClear prescription lenses are tolerated only when frames do not cover any part of the eyes and there is no glare on the lenses. Lithuanian consular practice strongly prefers that glasses be removed where possible.
- Tinted and sunglassesTinted lenses, photochromic lenses that have darkened, and sunglasses are prohibited.
Hair & facial hair
- Hair clear of faceHair must not cover the eyes or eyebrows and must not cast shadows across the face. Fringes that obscure the forehead are not accepted.
- Facial outline visibleThe full outline of the face from jaw to temple must be clearly visible. Ears do not need to be exposed provided the facial outline is unobstructed.
Headwear
- General ruleHats, caps, and other headwear are prohibited in the photo.
- Religious or medical exceptionDaily-worn religious or medical head coverings are permitted, provided they do not obscure any feature from the chin to the upper forehead and do not cast shadows on the face.
Jewelry & cosmetics
- JewelryJewelry is permitted only when it does not alter facial features, create glare, or obscure any part of the face.
- MakeupLight, natural makeup is acceptable. Heavy or theatrical makeup, shimmer products, and false lashes that risk occluding the eyes are discouraged.
Clothing
- Everyday attireWear ordinary daily clothing that contrasts with a light background. Avoid white or very pale tops, which blend into the background.
- Uniforms prohibitedUniforms, including camouflage and military dress, are not accepted.
Photo quality
- No facial shadowsThe face and neck must be free of cast shadows from hats, hair, or harsh lighting.
- No red-eyeRed-eye is not accepted. The natural eye colour must be visible.
- Recent photographThe photo must have been taken within the last six months and must reflect the applicant’s current appearance. A new photo is required after significant changes to facial appearance.
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 32 mm and 36 mm (roughly 71–80% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 27 mm and 35 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.
The Migration Department applies relaxed pose and expression rules to very young applicants, but the subject-isolation requirement is stricter than for adults.
Infants (under 12 months)
For babies under one year, a neutral expression and a perfectly forward gaze are not required, but the child must appear alone in the frame.
- Child alone in frameThe infant must be photographed completely alone. No parental hands, supporting arms, toys, pacifiers, or decorative headbands may appear anywhere in the image.
- Acceptable positioningIt is acceptable to lay the child on a plain white sheet or to seat them in a car seat draped with white cloth so that no support is visible.
- Expression and gazeA neutral expression is not required. Eyes should be open where possible, but consular practice is flexible for very young infants.
Other things to know.
A few Lithuania-specific points are worth flagging before you submit.
VFS Global intake
Lithuania has outsourced almost all visa, Type D, and Temporary Residence Permit document collection to VFS Global. Direct embassy walk-ins are very limited, and applicants attend a VFS appointment in person.
On-site biometric capture does not replace the print
VFS will capture a live biometric photo and fingerprints at the appointment. This on-site capture does not substitute for the self-supplied printed photo, which must still be brought to the appointment.
Bring two identical prints
Applicants should bring two identical printed copies of the photo to the VFS appointment. This matches the Schengen-wide practice reflected in Lithuanian consular packs.
MIGRIS upload for Type D and TRP
National long-stay (Type D) and Temporary Residence Permit applicants must also upload a digital copy of the photo to the MIGRIS portal at migris.lrmd.lt before the appointment, in addition to providing the printed copies.
Take your Lithuania visa photo at home in three steps.
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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.