Indonesia, a popular destination in Southeast Asia for its stunning beaches and honeymoon spots, offers visa-free entry to many but requires visas for others. To get a visa, one crucial requirement is a visa photo that meets the Indonesian immigration office's specific guidelines.

So this page covers some important information regarding photo dimensions, background, accessories, etc.

Indonesia visa photo guidelines for 2024

Every country has quirky visa photo specifications, and Indonesia is no different; following these guidelines will keep you sailing smoothly towards visa approval.

Size & Positioning:

• Standard dimensions: Think credit card sized, 35mm x 45mm (like international norms).
• Face in focus: Your mug should measure 28mm-34mm high, with your eyes 26mm-30mm from your chin. Centre yourself and show off both ears like a pro.

Background & Lighting:

• Picture a blank canvas: A bright, white background is your best bet (no shadows, patterns, or anything fancy).
• Soft light is your friend: Natural light is ideal, but even illumination works too. Think high-resolution quality; no pixelation allowed.

Clarity & Presentation:

• Ditch the printer paper: Matte or semi-matte photo paper is your go-to for physical submissions.
• Keep it accurate: No digital wizardry! Let your natural features and skin tone shine through.
• Neutral expression, please: Eyes open and bright (no red-eye or glare) is the game's name.
• Glasses are okay, but make sure they don't hide your eyes or have weird reflections.

Dress Code & Headwear:

• Ditch the uniform: Everyday clothes are your best bet; avoid anything that screams "workwear."
• Colour coordination is vital: Choose colours that pop against the white background.
• Religious headwear is okay if your whole face is visible from chin to forehead and ear to ear.
• Hats and caps? Not usually.

Photo guidelines for children and infants:-

The requirements for Indonesian visa photos extend to young children and babies, with the same standards for size and quality. Additional guidelines to ensure compliance:

• Positioning: Children and babies must face the camera directly. For infants unable to sit up, laying them on their back on a white or off-white sheet is advisable.
• Background: Whether lying down or sitting up, the background must be plain white or off-white, consistent with the general visa photo requirements.
• Eyes Open: Capturing the photo with the child’s eyes open is essential. For young babies, attracting their attention with sounds or toys might help them look at the camera.
• Solo Photo: The child must be the only person in the photo. Avoid holding or supporting the child as you appear in the image.
• No Props: Ensure no objects, including toys or decorative items, are in the photo with the child. The focus should be solely on the child’s features without any distractions.

Common mistakes to avoid while adhering to photos are:-

• Expired pics are a no-go: Use recent ones, ideally within the last six months.
• Ditch the selfies: Casual photos (think vacation snaps) are a big no-no.
• Size matters: Make sure your photo meets the exact dimensions. No blurry backgrounds, hidden faces, or weird edits.
• Keep it natural: Blurry photos, heavy edits, and outdated images will get you rejected faster than you can say "visa."

Best visa photo app for Indonesia

In today's digital world, technology simplifies numerous tasks, including obtaining the correct visa photos. For those looking to take their pictures or ensure a studio-taken image meets all requirements, various apps and online tools are available:

• Using some mobile applications, Android and iOS users can access several applications designed for creating visa and passport photos. These apps have preset guidelines and dimensions for multiple countries, including Indonesia. You can take a photo select the intended country, and the app will automatically adjust it to the necessary size. Notable apps in this category include “Passport Photo Maker”, “ID Photo Free”, and “Passport Size Photo Maker”.
• Internet-Based Editing Tools: Services such as MakePassportPhoto or ePassportPhoto provide tools to crop and adjust photos to adhere to specific visa photo requirements. You just need to upload a quality picture and comply with the platform's guidelines.
• Tools for Verification and Preview: Certain services can upload your photo for a compliance check. These tools evaluate facial features' positioning, background colour appropriateness, and other critical factors to confirm the photo meets all the necessary standards.

How to Snap Your Photo for an Indonesian Visa

Many opt for professional studios to take Indonesian visa photos. Yet, it's entirely feasible to do it yourself at home without incurring any cost by following these straightforward guidelines:

• Gather Your Equipment: A high-quality photo for your Indonesian visa can be taken with a modern smartphone camera, which should suffice. If you don't own one, consider borrowing from someone who does.
• Set Up Your Background: Ensure you have a clean and appropriate background. You can utilise a red sheet or similar material if the Indonesian visa requirements specify a red background. Find a plain white wall or hang a white sheet as the backdrop for a white background requirement.
• Edit with Online Tools: After taking your photo, online tools and websites can help you tweak the format and resize the image to meet the specifications. Extensive editing and Photoshop that significantly alter your appearance are not permitted.

By adhering to these steps, you can efficiently produce a visa photo that meets the Indonesian embassy's requirements from the comfort of your home.

Additional Recommendations for a Successful Application

• Small earrings and necklaces are usually OK but skip the chandelier earrings.
• Temporary marks or scars shouldn't be a problem.
• A natural smile (think Mona Lisa, not Cheshire Cat) is often okay.
• Daily clothes are your best bet; avoid anything that blends into the background.
• Colour photos are mandatory. Ditch the black and white.
• Every country has its own rules, so research before you snap.
• Glasses are allowed, but make sure they don't hide your eyes, have weird reflections or are tinted/sunglasses.

FAQ

What are the dimensions for an Indonesia visa photo? Can I wear glasses in my visa photo? Are there specific background requirements for visa photos? Do infants need separate visa photos for Indonesia? How recent must the visa photo be for the application? How to resize visa photos for Indonesia: Can I smile in my Indonesian visa photo?