Mexico Visa Photo Requirements and Size

Photo Requirements for Mexican Visa

When you apply for a Mexican visa you must provide photos that meet the specifications set by Mexican authorities to avoid delays or rejection of your application

Core technical specs

Your photo must be a recent photo taken within the last six months, sized 35×45 mm, with a plain gray background and no shadows, in high resolution with the face shown clearly and without edits

Size and measurable proportions

The required overall size is 35×45 mm and the photo must meet the internal proportions: the distance from the chin to the top of the hair must be 26 mm and the distance from the top of the hair to the top edge of the photo must be 1.7 mm

Recency and acceptability

Photos must be taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance; older photos will need to be replaced with a new one

Camera distance and who should take it

Keep the distance between your face and the camera at 1 to 2 meters (3 to 7 feet) and, when possible, have someone else take the picture to ensure correct framing and focus

Head pose, alignment and posture

Face the camera straight on with your head level, camera at eye level, standing or sitting straight without tilting your head, and maintain a natural, neutral expression during the shot

Facial expression and eyes

Use a neutral facial expression—no smile showing teeth—and keep your eyes open so pupils and irises are clearly visible in the photo

Lighting and background

Ensure even illumination on both sides of your face with no shadows on you or the gray background; the photo should be properly exposed, focused and sharp

Photo quality and color requirements

Photos must be in color, sharp (no visible pixels or printer dots), not blurry, and free of edits; avoid red-eye caused by flash

Clothing and uniforms

Wear normal everyday clothing; religious attire is allowed as long as it does not cover important facial features, and remove any work uniforms required for your job when having the photo taken

Accessories rules (hats, glasses, jewelry, hearing devices)

Do not wear hats or head coverings unless required for religious or medical reasons; do not wear glasses that obscure your eyes, cause glare or distort your eyes—medically required glasses are permitted if they do not interfere with the facial image; hearing devices or similar articles are allowed

Medical proof for exceptions

If you must wear a hat or glasses for medical reasons, you must provide a doctor’s statement as valid proof to support the exception

Scanning and digital submission tips

You may scan an existing physical photo for online applications but scan one photo at a time in color, ensure the scan clearly shows the photo (front and back as required), and do not attach the photo to another piece of paper when scanning

Number of copies and printing

Provide identical photos taken within the last six months; for online applications one digital copy typically suffices, but the embassy or consulate may request more or fewer printed copies—printed photos must be on high-quality photo paper

When to retake your photo

Retake your photo if it’s older than six months, if you have had significant weight change, undergone facial surgery or trauma, changed gender, or removed numerous tattoos or piercings; minor changes like growing a beard or coloring hair usually do not require a new photo if you remain identifiable

Practical step-by-step checklist before submission

1) Confirm photo is taken within last six months; 2) Verify size is 35×45 mm and internal proportions match the chin-to-top-of-hair (26 mm) and top-hair-to-photo-top (1.7 mm) requirements; 3) Use a plain gray background with no shadows; 4) Ensure even lighting, no glare or red-eye; 5) Face camera straight on with neutral expression and eyes open; 6) Remove uniforms and avoid accessories that obscure the face; 7) Scan one photo at a time in color if submitting digitally and print on high-quality photo paper if a physical copy is requested

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid old photos, incorrect size/proportions, colored or patterned backgrounds, shadows on face or background, blurry or low-resolution images, visible edits, glasses glare, hats or jewelry that obscure the face, and attaching the photo to another paper when scanning

Final compliance note and related checks

Follow these photo requirements exactly to improve acceptance chances and remember to check any additional instructions from the Mexican embassy or consulate handling your specific visa type; if applying for a Mexican passport, consult the passport photo requirements as they may differ