German Permanent Residence Photo

How does it work?

Get the perfect biometric photo in 3 minutes or less.

Check out just how simple it is!

Snap or upload a photo

That's the only thing you need to do. Snap or upload a photo - we'll take care of the rest.

AI prepares the photo

Artificial Intelligence will check your photo, crop it to the right size and remove the background.

Expert verification

Our Photo Expert will make additional verification to check if your photo meets the official requirements.

Digital or print photos

You can download a digital version and order a printout which we will send within 2-4 days. Delivery is free!

Why?

Take a biometric photo conveniently without leaving home

You save time and money

Convenience

Don't waste time, effort or money. You can take your passport photo without leaving home.

Professional service

Over 1 million people have used our services within the past 11 years. Our Photo Experts are available 24/7.

Money-back guarantee

We guarantee the authorities will accept your photo(s) or we will refund double your purchase cost!

Satisfaction guarantee

Take as many photo shots as you want - you pay only when you are satisfied.

How to take a photo?

Taking a photo for your ID has never been so easy.

Follow these simple instruction to take the perfect ID photo.

Body-camera distance

The distance between the face and the camera should be about 40 cm. Ideally the photo should be taken by the other person.

Posture: Straight ahead

Place your face in front of the lens. Hold the camera at eye level and keep neutral face expression.

Lighting

Stand facing the light source, for example an exposed window. The background will be cut out, don't worry about it.

German Permanent Residence Photo - Size & Requirements

Size

Width: 35 mm

Height: 45 mm

Resolution

600 dpi

Is it suitable for online submission?

Yes

Image definition parameters

Head height: 34 mm

Top of the Photo to Top of the Hair: 3 mm

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German Permanent Residence Photo - All You Need to Know

German Permanent Residence Photo Criteria

All foreign nationals staying in Germany for more than 90 days need a residency permit, except for those from EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Lichtenstein. if your only intention is to visit Germany for tourist purposes, you do not need a residency permit. A tourist visa enables you to visit Germany for up to 90 days and see what the country has to offer. Without a residency permit, staying longer than the allowed 90 days is not possible.

One of the requirements to get a residence permit in Germany is a photograph. Read on to find out the details and rules about a German Permanent Residence photo.

German Permanent Residence photo guidelines

For the German residence permit, it is required to provide a biometric picture. It will appear on the card as well so make sure you meet all the German requirements regarding photos for travel documents. The permanent residence photograph has the same requirements as a biometric photo for a German passport or visa.

German Permanent Residence photo size

The dimensions of a passport photo are 35mm x 45mm. From the top to bottom, the measurements of the face must be between 32 mm and 36 mm. It must be possible to show all of the features from the chin down to the top of the head and across the cheeks. Centering the photograph should be placed where the candidate will be in full view.

Other German Permanent Residence photo specifications:

The required number of photos is two.
The photo should meet passport background requirements so the best is a light grey background colour.
All the features from chin to hairline and both sides of the face need to be clearly visible.
The photographed person has to look straight into the camera.
The applicant's facial expressions should be neutral with a closed mouth, avoiding a smile.
To be able to see the whole face with proper contrast and clarity, all of the face must be clear and the skin must have a natural color.
There should not appear any reflections, other objects, shadows or red eyes in the photo so both in the background as well as on the candidate’s face.
The eyes of the subject should be clearly visible, and not covered by the hair or frame of the glasses.
Sunglasses, tinted glasses, or reflections of glasses are not acceptable in the photos.
Head coverings are not allowed unless worn for religious reasons.
Passport photos must be in contrast, sharp and printed on high-quality paper.

How to take a photo for a German Permanent Residence at home?

One of the mandatory documents for German Permanent Residence is a biometric passport-style photograph. To take the best photo, you must first understand the essential German photo specifications. If you already know the German photo requirements (pointed above), you can use our onlinephoto tool which will resize, edit, and check if your photo meets the official German authorities criteria.

How do you get the right picture for your residency permit? Use our Passport Photo Online website or the Photo Mobile App on your smartphone. Take a picture with your digital camera, tablet, or phone (no webcams or selfies allowed!) and set up a tripod 3 to 4 metres away from where you're standing, or ask a friend to photograph you.

After selecting the type of document you're applying for, upload the ready photo to our app or website (e.g. German passport as the photo for German permanent residence has the same requirements). The photo will be cropped and the background will be replaced by the tool. Finally, this photo editor can check to see if the photo meets the official demands. If it's ready, you'll receive an email notification. Try our online photo generator to get a photo that is 100% accurate!

What to avoid on photos for German Permanent Residence?

To help you understand what is better NOT to do, we prepared a short list to help you avoid the most common mistakes on photos for a residence permit:

Looking sideways not directly at the camera.
A profile view or a head tilted.
You are smiling or grimaces.
The applicant's face is not in the middle.
There are different objects in the background.
There are patterns or shadows in the photographed person’s face.
Glasses reflect light (consider taking them off for a moment of taking a photo).
Hair or headgear partially hides the face.

German Permanent Residence Photo Tool

Artificial Intelligence technology improves our picture method. This means that AI verifies all photos submitted to the Passport Photo Online editor and marks them as correct or incorrect. This is also absolutely free of charge. You just pay for a fully done picture that you want to use. All of the previews are available for free. The whole process may appear to be lengthy and complicated, but everything in the app or on the online service takes just a few seconds, so don't wait to try it out!

This is what you need to get a photo for your German permanent residence:

A camera, a smartphone, or a tablet (a webcam is not allowed)
Close at hand our German permanent residence guidelines
Ask a friend or family member to photoshoot you or put a tripod and set the phone on a self-timer!
The Photo Tool app or website

Background remover

The Artificial Intelligence background remover reduces all patterns and shadows and allows you to quickly change your background colour! You receive a photograph with the appropriate light grey backdrop for your document!

Photo resizer

The online photo cropper resizes and changes your pictures to meet the specifications of the residence permit photo officials. It calculates the distance between the top and bottom of the photo and the head and face. Your photo is automatically cut to the size defined for Germany.

Photo validator

The photos you want to apply to the application form must adhere to the guidelines we laid out earlier. If they don't, you'll have to submit new photos before your submission can be considered. As a result, we use artificial intelligence to verify images on our website. Any picture that our photo maker approves comes with a guarantee of approval. You may not recall the proper size or background colour, but once you choose the desired document - a visa, passport or residence permit, etc., the technology will take care of the rest! You will receive a high-quality picture that is ready to submit or print.

Photo template

The final step is to create a visa photo template that can be emailed to you. After you receive your ready picture, you can either print it yourself at a nearby printing shop or order one that has already been printed and sent to you.

Last update: 10/1/23

About the document

What is a German Permanent Residence?

Many foreign nationals will need to apply for a German residency permit from their home countries or obtain a Schengen visa to visit Germany for 90 days. However, for certain countries, it is possible to enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residency permit from inside the country during the first 90 days. You can remain in Germany for longer than 90 days if you have a German residency permit. It allows you to study, work, or participate in other activities in the country during that period.

Types of Residence Permit

There are different types of German residency permits depending on the duration of your stay and the conditions you meet. In general, those are the types of residency permits that allow you to remain in Germany for different amounts of time:

Temporary residence permit (also Limited Residence Permit) – is for shorter stays in Germany. This form of residency permit only allows you to remain in Germany for a year. It does, however, have the option of being extended if the condition does not improve and you meet the requirements.
Employment purposes – You can get a temporary residency permit in Germany if you find work there. You can begin your job search in your home country or obtain a Germany Job Seeker Visa to travel to Germany and look for work. In any case, you can apply for a temporary residence permit after receiving a job offer. You are not permitted to begin working until you have received the letter.
Studying purposes – Students pursuing an undergraduate, associate, or technical degree in Germany are often granted temporary residence permits. Usually, they are granted a residency permit for the duration of their programme. They can work full-time for 120 days or half-time for 240 days during their schooling. They can also take part in work-study programmes. They are, however, unable to sign long-term contracts.
Marriage purposes – You can remain in Germany if you marry a German citizen or someone who has a permanent residence permit, but you will also need a residence permit. There is no single German residency permit obtained by marriage, but you will be granted permission to remain in the country for the purposes of family union. Same-sex couples are also accepted in Germany and can apply for residency permits once they marry.

Permanent Residence Requirements

You must meet a few conditions in order to be granted any of the residency permits. The majority of them would be the same, for example:

Have a valid passport from another country.
Be able to communicate in German at a B1 level.
Do not have a criminal record.
Maintain financial stability for yourself and your family.
Have health insurance for the stay in Germany.
Pass a health examination to demonstrate that you are fit to study and/or work.
if you want to join your spouse in Germany, you'll need evidence of marriage, such as a marriage certificate.
If you want to work in Germany, you will need a letter from your employer containing a job offer and explanation.
If you want to study in Germany, you will need evidence of acceptance into a university.

Besides, you will need provide some details which will appear on the permanent residence card or are needed for the documentation, such as:

The time that you have legally/will be allowed to remain in Germany (as long as/up to which you have/an amount of time you're authorised to spend) is currently unlimited.
Any reason you must have to stay, such as whether or not you can work.
A photograph of the holder.
Two fingerprints of the holder.
the Aliens Office city of issue.

How to apply for a German resident permit?

If you apply from Germany or your home country within the first 90 days, the first step is to register your new German address with the authorities. Before applying for a residence permit you must obtain health insurance in Germany. You must be covered in Germany, and international insurance plans are rarely accepted. So, hire a German insurance agent to protect you.

You can submit an application at your nearest immigration office, where you can pick up a form. You may also make an appointment in addition to receiving the application form. It is preferable to schedule your appointment as soon as possible. Please make sure you fill out the form fully, then print, sign, and carry it with you to your Visa appointment. Forms that are written by hand would not be considered.

Try to arrive as early as possible on the day of your appointment. And if your appointment has a fixed time, you will almost certainly have to wait. Check to see if you have your paper file with you and if nothing is missing.

Your application for a residence permit will take two to three weeks to be processed, after which you will receive a response. If you obtain your visa, you will be able to remain in Germany for the period of time specified on it.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

What is a German Permanent Residence?

The German PR is a permit for foreign nationals which allows them to study, work, or participate in other activities in the country during that period. For certain countries, it is possible to enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residency permit from inside the country during the first 90 days. If you have a German residency permit, you can remain in Germany for longer than 90 days.

What is the photo size of permanent residence in Germany?

The photo size of German PR is 35mm x 45mm where from the top to bottom, the measurements of the face must be between 32 mm and 36 mm. Centering the photograph should be placed where the candidate will be in full view.

Can I take a German PR photo by phone?

Yes. You can take a photo for your residence permit at home and by your phone. We recommend use a Passport Photo Online service which resizes, edits and verify your picture whether it meets the German official photo requirements.

What are German PR card photo requirements?

You have to submit two photographs the best which are biometric in a good wuality and contrast. They have to meet the German passport specifications such as head position, clothing, facial expression, background colour, etc.

Can I wear glasses in a PR photo in Germany?

Sunglasses, tinted glasses, or reflections of glasses are not acceptable in the photos so make sure the eyes of the subject should be clearly visible, and not covered by the hair or frame of the glasses. It is better to take glasses off for the time of photo shooting.

Can I live in Germany if I marry a German?

You can remain in Germany if you marry a German citizen or someone who has a permanent residence permit, but you will also need a residence permit. There is no single German residency permit obtained by marriage, but you will be granted permission to remain in the country for the purposes of family union.

Can I smile in the German PR photo?

No. The required facial expression is neutral so make sure you do not smile, frown, grimaces as it will cause a photo rejection as well as the permanent residence application denial.

How can I get a permanent residency in Germany?

If you have legally lived in Germany for at least five years and can support yourself and your family members to make a living as well as have a sufficient command of German and basic knowledge of the legal and social system and way of life in Germany you can apply by meeting those and more of the official criteria.

What is the application process for German PR?

You have to register your new German address, submit an application, book and attend an appointment and wait for response. It usually takes two to three weeks to be processed.