How it works

Ireland Visa Photo Size and Requirements

Your Irish visa photographs must meet the following requirements:

Number of photos: Two identical photographs
Photo width: 35–38 mm
Photo height: 45–50 mm
Photo age: Taken within the last six months
Colour: Full colour
Background: Plain white or light grey
Face size: Approximately 70% to 80% of the photograph
Paper: Photographic paper
Back of photo: White and unglazed
Expression: Neutral, with your eyes open and mouth closed
Pose: Face the camera directly with your head centred
Photo framing: Close-up of your face and the top of your shoulders

Ireland Visa Photo Face Size

Your face should take up about 70% to 80% of the photo.

The image should be a clear close-up showing your face and the top of your shoulders.

Make sure your head is:

• Straight and centred in the frame

• Fully visible from top of hair to chin

• Facing directly towards the camera

• Not too close or too far away

• Framed with a bit of space around it for cropping

Avoid cutting off any part of your head, including the top of your hair, chin, or sides of your face.

Ireland Visa Photo Background

The background must be plain white or light grey.

A suitable background should:

• Have no patterns

• Have no visible objects

• Have no lines or strong texture

• Be free from shadows

• Contrast clearly with your face and hair

Take the original photograph against an appropriate background whenever possible.

Glasses

Do not wear sunglasses or glasses with tinted or coloured lenses.

You may wear ordinary prescription glasses provided that:

• Your eyes are clearly visible

• The frames do not cover your eyes

• There is no glare on the lenses

• There are no reflections

• The lenses are not tinted

Removing your glasses may make it easier to avoid glare and reflections.

Head Coverings

Do not wear hats, caps, headbands or other fashion head coverings.

A head covering may be worn for religious reasons. However:

• Your full face must remain visible

• The covering must not cast shadows on your face

• Your facial features must not be obscured

Ireland Visa Photos for Babies and Children

Children and babies must also provide photographs that clearly show their face.

Only the child should appear in the photograph.

Make sure:

• No parent or other person is visible

• No hands or arms are visible

• No toys appear in the photo

• No pacifier or soother covers the child’s mouth

• The child’s face is clearly visible

• The background is plain white or light grey

• There are no shadows across the child’s face

For a young baby, place the baby on a plain light-coloured surface and take the photograph from directly above.

Printing Your Ireland Visa Photos

Your photographs must be printed on photographic paper.

The reverse of each photograph must be:

• White

• Unglazed

• Suitable for writing on

Print two identical copies of the same image.

Do not submit photographs printed on ordinary office paper.

What to Write on the Back of Each Photo

Write the following information on the back of both photographs using BLOCK CAPITALS:

• The applicant’s name

• The visa application or transaction number

You do not need to write a transaction number when applying for a re-entry visa.

Write carefully so that you do not damage or mark the front of the photographs.

Place the photographs in the same envelope as your application form.

Do not staple, glue or attach the photographs to the application form.

Common Reasons Ireland Visa Photos Get Rejected

Even small mistakes can delay your visa application.

Common reasons applications get held up include:

• Sending only one photo or mismatched photos

• Wrong size or outdated photos (older than 6 months)

• Blurry, dark, or overexposed images

• Incorrect background (patterned, coloured, or shadowed)

• Wrong pose or expression (smiling, tilted head, not facing forward)

• Glare on glasses or tinted lenses

• Hair or objects covering the face or eyes

• Missing required details on the back of photos

• Low-quality or non-photographic paper

• Stapled, folded, or damaged photos

Check everything carefully before submitting to avoid delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is an Ireland visa photo?

Each photograph must be between 35 and 38 mm wide and between 45 and 50 mm high.

A commonly prepared size within this permitted range is 35 × 45 mm.

How many photographs do I need?

You must submit two identical passport-sized photographs.

Do the photographs need to be printed?

Yes. The official visa-photo instructions require photographs printed on photographic paper.

How recent must my photographs be?

The photographs must have been taken within the last six months.

Both photographs must show exactly the same image.

What colour should the background be?

The background must be plain white or light grey.

Can I smile in an Ireland visa photo?

No. You must use a neutral expression. Keep your eyes open and your mouth closed.

Can I wear glasses in an Ireland visa photo?

Ordinary glasses are permitted when your eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare or reflection.

Sunglasses and tinted or coloured glasses are not accepted.

Can I wear a religious head covering?

Yes. A religious head covering is permitted as long as your face remains clearly and fully visible.

Can I take my visa photo with a phone?

Yes. You can take the original photograph with a modern smartphone or digital camera, provided that the final printed images meet all official requirements.

Can I submit a digital photo instead?

The standard Irish visa-photo guidance requires two printed photographs. Follow any additional instructions issued by the embassy, consulate or visa application office handling your application.

What should I write on the back?

Write the applicant’s name and visa application or transaction number in BLOCK CAPITALS on the back of both photographs.

Should I attach the photos to my form?

No. Put the photographs in the same envelope as your application form, but do not staple, glue or otherwise attach them.

Prepare Your Ireland Visa Photo with IDPhotoDIY.com

Use the IDPhotoDIY passport photo maker to quickly create a compliant Ireland visa photo in just three simple steps:

Step 1: Upload your photo

Take a clear, recent photo and upload it from your phone, tablet, or computer. Make sure your face is visible, well-lit, and taken against a plain background.

Step 2: Automatic processing with our passport photo maker

Our passport photo maker will automatically crop your image to the correct Ireland visa size, adjust the face position, and format it to meet official requirements.

Step 3: Download and print

Download your ready-to-use photo sheet and one single digital photo. Print two identical copies on high-quality photographic paper. Your photos are now ready for your Ireland visa application.

Official source: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/photograph-rules-for-visa-applications/