Lithuania Passport Photo

Lithuania Passport Photo -- Migration Department and EU Biometric Standards

Lithuania's Migracijos departamentas prie Lietuvos Respublikos vidaus reikalu ministerijos (Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior) processes all passport applications through its territorial divisions across the country's 10 counties. As an EU and Schengen member since 2004 and 2007 respectively, Lithuania enforces the full EU biometric passport photo standard under Regulation 2252/2004. The Migration Department introduced an automated photo quality assessment system in 2022 that performs preliminary compliance checks before a human reviewer finalizes acceptance -- and the system rejects approximately 15% of submitted photos on first pass.

Official requirements are available at migracija.lt. The same photo specifications apply to the Lithuanian asmens tapatybės kortelė (national identity card), which serves as a travel document within the EU/EEA.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height (chin to crown): 32-36 mm
• Face width: approximately 20-25 mm
• Eyes positioned in the center horizontal band of the photo, roughly at the 60% mark from the bottom edge

Background:

• White, uniform, and shadow-free
• No texture, gradient, or pattern
• Must contrast with the applicant's hair and clothing
• No objects, curtains, or wall edges visible

Expression and pose:

• Neutral expression with closed mouth -- no visible teeth, no smile
• Both eyes open and looking directly into the camera
• Head perfectly straight with no tilt, turn, or rotation
• Full face visible from the top of the forehead to the chin, including both cheeks

Digital specifications (for online applications via e-Government portal):

• JPEG format, minimum 600 x 800 pixels
• Maximum file size: 1 MB
• sRGB color space
• No scanned prints -- natively digital photos only

Lithuania-Specific Rules

Glasses ban: Lithuania prohibits all glasses in biometric document photos. This covers prescription eyeglasses, reading glasses, and any lens type regardless of tint. The ban has been in effect since Lithuania transitioned to EU biometric passports. Corrective contact lenses that do not change iris colour are permitted.

Forehead visibility: The forehead must be at least partially visible. Heavy fringes (bangs) that cover the entire forehead down to the eyebrows are not accepted, even if the eyes remain unobstructed. This rule is enforced more consistently in Lithuania than in some other EU states.

Ear visibility: Not explicitly required by Lithuanian regulations. Hair worn naturally over the ears is generally accepted, but the overall face outline must be clear and unambiguous from both sides.

Head coverings: Permitted only for documented religious reasons. The applicant must provide a written declaration at the Migration Department territorial division. The covering must leave the entire face visible and must not create shadows. Non-religious hats, headbands, and decorative headwear are prohibited.

Recency: Photos must be taken within the last 6 months. For renewals, the Migration Department clerk visually compares the photo with the applicant's current appearance.

Children's passports: Lithuanian children's passports are valid for 5 years (under 16) versus 10 years for adults. Children under 16 need photos renewed more frequently as a result.

Clothing guidance: The Migration Department does not impose formal clothing restrictions beyond prohibiting military or police uniforms. However, wearing white or very pale clothing is inadvisable as it merges with the white background, making the shoulder line invisible. A dark or coloured top provides the best contrast.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Lithuania

Vilnius: Photo studios near the Migration Department office on A. Vivulskio gatvé 4A charge 5-12 EUR for a set of 4-6 passport photos. Studios along Gedimino prospektas and in the Akropolis and Ozas shopping centres offer comparable services. Ask for "nuotrauka pasui" (passport photo) or "biometrinė nuotrauka" (biometric photo).

Kaunas: Studios near the Migration Department territorial division on Vytauto prospektas charge 4-10 EUR. The Mega and Akropolis Kaunas shopping centres have photo kiosks at similar price points.

Klaipeda: Studios near the Migration Department office and in the Akropolis Klaipeda shopping centre charge 4-10 EUR. The city's compact centre makes finding a studio straightforward.

Photo booths (automatas): Automated photo booths in larger Lithuanian shopping centres and transport hubs cost 3-6 EUR. Select the "biometrinis pasas" or "asmens dokumentas" option to ensure correct framing and white background. Booths in Vilnius railway station, Vilnius Airport, and major Akropolis locations are regularly serviced and calibrated.

Printing your own: If you have a compliant digital photo, Lithuanian photo printing services at Fotocentras, Fotofabrikas, or Maxima/IKI supermarket photo kiosks can print a 10x15 cm sheet for 0.30-0.50 EUR. Two passport photos fit on one print. Use a paper cutter for clean edges.

Baby and Child Photos

Migration Department rules for Lithuanian minors' photos:

• Newborns and infants under 1 year: The baby should be lying on a white surface, photographed from above. No parent hands, toys, or pacifiers visible. Eyes do not need to be fully open for infants under 6 months -- partially closed eyes are accepted.
• Children 1-3 years: Both eyes open, looking at the camera. Natural expression is sufficient -- a slightly open mouth is tolerated. The child must be the sole subject. A parent may support the child from behind but must not be visible in the frame.
• Children 4-15: Full adult specifications apply, though Migration Department reviewers exercise moderate discretion for children under 7 who cannot hold a perfectly neutral expression.
• Age 16 and older: Identical to adult requirements in every respect.
• Parental consent: Both parents (or legal guardian) must authorize the passport application for children under 18.

E-Government Photo Upload and Automated Checks

Lithuania's e-Government portal (e-valdzia) allows applicants to upload their passport photo digitally before visiting a Migration Department office. The upload system runs an automated quality check that evaluates background uniformity, face centering, head dimensions, eye visibility, and image resolution. Feedback is provided instantly -- if the photo fails, you receive a specific error code and description (in Lithuanian) identifying the non-compliant element.

Passing the automated check does not guarantee final acceptance -- a human reviewer at the Migration Department territorial division makes the ultimate determination. However, photos that clear the automated screening pass final review in the vast majority of cases. The system also flags potential retouching -- skin smoothing, colour correction beyond exposure adjustment, and AI-based modifications are all detected.

Common Rejection Reasons

Migration Department automated screening and manual review flag these issues most frequently:

1. Glasses worn -- the single most common rejection cause, especially among older applicants unaware of the ban
2. Forehead fully covered by hair -- Lithuania's stricter-than-average forehead visibility requirement trips up applicants with heavy fringes
3. Background shadow or gradient -- home-taken photos with overhead lighting casting shadows behind the head
4. Head size out of range -- the 32-36mm chin-to-crown specification is narrow, and photos taken at the wrong distance exceed the tolerance
5. Expression not neutral -- the automated system flags raised eyebrows, visible teeth, and any asymmetry in the lip line
6. Digital filter detected -- beauty mode, skin smoothing, or colour correction filters applied by smartphone cameras

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I apply for a Lithuanian passport online? A: Lithuania offers partial online application through the e-Government portal (e-valdzia). You can upload your digital photo and fill out forms online, but you must visit a Migration Department territorial division in person for biometric data capture (fingerprints) and document collection.

Q: How much does a Lithuanian passport cost? A: Standard adult passport fees are approximately 50-60 EUR for regular processing (20 business days). Expedited processing (5 business days) costs approximately 80-100 EUR. Children's passports have reduced fees. Photo costs (4-12 EUR) are separate.

Q: Are Lithuanian passport photo requirements the same as Schengen visa photo requirements? A: Yes. Lithuania's biometric passport photo specifications fully comply with Schengen visa photo requirements. A photo accepted for a Lithuanian passport is valid for any Schengen visa application.

Q: I have a heavy fringe -- must I pin it back? A: If the fringe covers the entire forehead down to the eyebrow line, yes -- pin or clip it back to expose at least the upper portion of the forehead. A fringe that ends above the eyebrows is generally acceptable.

Q: Can I use my Lithuanian asmens tapatybės kortelė photo for my passport? A: If the ID card photo was taken within the last 6 months and meets the current biometric passport specifications (35x45mm, white background, no glasses), it can be used for the passport application. However, if the ID card photo is older than 6 months, you need a new photo regardless.

Q: Where can I get passport photos on a Sunday in Vilnius? A: Photo booths in Akropolis Vilnius and Ozas shopping centres operate during mall hours, including Sundays. Dedicated photo studios are typically closed on Sundays. Plan accordingly or use a home photo setup with our tool.