Bulgaria visa photo requirements for Indians
Indian passport holders applying for Schengen short-stay (C) tourist visa via VFS Global India need a photo that meets Bulgaria's rules. Below are the exact size, background and file rules from the official source, with a worked example and a checklist.
VERIFIED · OFFICIAL SOURCE · 17 OCT 2026Bulgaria photo rules at a glance
What the photo should look like
Drawn to the official measurements where they are published.
Head: Face 70-80% of the photo; 30-36 mm from chin to top of hair.
Full Bulgaria visa photo requirements
| Route for Indians | Schengen short-stay (C) tourist visa via VFS Global India |
|---|---|
| Printed photo size (mm) | 35 x 45 |
| Digital size (pixels) | Not stated by the official source |
| File format | Not stated by the official source |
| File size | Not stated by the official source |
| Background | Light background (the checklist says light-coloured) |
| Head / face size | Face 70-80% of the photo; 30-36 mm from chin to top of hair |
| How recent | Up to date, preferably no more than 6 months old |
| Glasses | No sunglasses; lenses must not be tinted or reflective; frames must not cover the eyes |
| Head covering | No hat or head covering unless worn for religious reasons |
| Expression and pose | Mouth closed; full face, looking straight ahead |
| Copies | 1 |
Other official rules
- Colour photo printed on normal photographic paper
- Close-up of head and top of shoulders
- Non-professional photos or photos cut out of amateur photos are not accepted
Do and avoid
Built from the official rules and the rejection reasons the source lists.
Do
- Use a light background (the checklist says light-coloured) background
- Mouth closed; full face, looking straight ahead
- Use a photo up to date, preferably no more than 6 months old
- Colour photo printed on normal photographic paper
- Close-up of head and top of shoulders
- Non-professional photos or photos cut out of amateur photos are not accepted
Avoid
- Dark glasses
- Headgear (except for religious reasons)
- Non-professional or cut-out amateur photos
- No sunglasses; lenses must not be tinted or reflective; frames must not cover the eyes
Worked example: getting the photo right first time
A 35 × 45 mm print at 300 DPI is 413 × 531 pixels. At 600 DPI it is 826 × 1062 pixels. Ask the studio for exactly 35 × 45 mm, not "passport size".
Order at least 1 copies, plus one spare in case the centre asks for a retake.
How to make your photo in 5 steps
- Stand against a plain wall with even light, or visit a photo studio
- Crop to 35 × 45 mm
- Check the background is light background
- Print on photo paper
- Run the Krosz photo checker before you submit
Free tools: passport photo maker · photo checker · photo resizer
Frequently asked questions
What is the Bulgaria visa photo size for Indians?
The official source gives 35 x 45 mm for a printed photo.
What background colour is needed for a Bulgaria visa photo?
Light background (the checklist says light-coloured).
Can I use my Indian passport photo (35 × 45 mm) for Bulgaria?
The size matches. Check the other rules too: background, recency (Up to date, preferably no more than 6 months old) and any glasses rule, because a photo that fits the size can still be rejected.
How old can the photo be?
Up to date, preferably no more than 6 months old.
Can I wear glasses in my Bulgaria visa photo?
No sunglasses; lenses must not be tinted or reflective; frames must not cover the eyes
How many photos do I need?
1.
Where do these rules come from?
From VFS Global – Bulgaria Visa Information, India, checked by the Krosz visa desk on 17 Oct 2026. Requirements can change, so the official page always has the final word.
Source and verification
Official source: VFS Global – Bulgaria Visa Information, India
Checked by the Krosz visa desk on 17 Oct 2026 · confidence: high.
Krosz is a private visa service and is not affiliated with any government. Rules change; the authority's own page always has the final word.
2026 guide · last checked 17 Oct 2026