Common mistakes in a residence permit photo

Face and framing problems

Common issues include a turned head, closed eyes, an open mouth, hair covering the eyes and a frame that is too tight or too wide.

• Look straight at the lens.
• Keep a neutral expression.
• Keep the eye line parallel to the top edge.
• Show the upper shoulders.

Light and background problems

Shadows across the face, objects in the background, reflections and uneven lighting make a compliant photo harder. Move to a new spot or retake it with soft front light.

File problems

A good portrait can still fail if the file is too large, rotated incorrectly or stretched by a messaging app. Check the JPG, at least 684 × 883 pixels and the 2.5 MB limit.