How your Japan visa photo should look
Applicants for a Japanese visa must submit two printed photos on matte paper, size 3.5 × 4.5 cm. The photos must be identical and taken no earlier than six months before the date of submission. When preparing your photos, follow our recommendations, which are valid for 2026:
- The background must be perfectly white (not off-white, but truly white);
- The focus must be strictly on your face;
- Your eyes must look directly into the camera;
- Ears must be visible;
- Mouth closed (a neutral or slight, controlled smile is acceptable);
- Shoulders must be visible;
- There should be no shadows on the face;
- Your face should occupy at least 70% of the image area and be positioned in the centre of the photo.
❗For women: tie your hair back and secure it so that your ears, eyebrows and forehead are fully visible. Avoid bright makeup and bold lipstick. What matters is not how you look, but how well the photo complies with the consulate’s requirements.
What must not be in the photo
Here is a list of what is completely unacceptable in a Japan visa photo:
- Fabric backgrounds such as curtains;
- Headwear is strictly prohibited;
- Glasses with thick frames or tinted lenses, and any sunglasses (if you wear glasses, your eyes must be clearly visible, without reflections or glare);
- Cropped shapes such as ovals, angled corners or cut-off frames around the face;
- Red-eye effect;
- Visible traces of editing in graphic software (do not retouch moles, scars or other distinguishing features of your face).
Example of a poorly prepared photo
- Shadows on the face;
- Hair lying on the shoulders;
- Ears not visible;
- Neck covered.
The Japanese consulate reserves the right to return your documents if the photo does not meet the official requirements. We recommend using a professional photo studio to avoid problems and loss of time.
