Over a million tourists visit Mexico every year. Most of these visitors require a Mexico visa before entering the country. Applying for a Mexico visa can take time while you prepare your documents, submit all the requirements, and wait for your visa to be processed. During the process, you must remember that each document you submit must follow the rules and regulations specified by a Mexican foreign mission in your country. A visa photo for Mexico is no exception, as you must take your visa photo as per the embassy’s instructions. Doing so will lower the chances of your visa being rejected, so keep these visa photo instructions in mind, and then you can visit and explore Mexico.
Mexico Photo Visa Requirements
Your Mexico visa photo must be taken with specific requirements regarding format, background, lighting, head position, and quality. Additionally, you must make sure that the photo you take is no older than six months; otherwise, if the photo is older and there are significant changes to your appearance between now and when you took the photo, your Mexico visa may be rejected.
Format
The Mexico visa photo must be sized at 3.9 cm x 3.1 cm, with the whole face taking up at least 70% of the photo. You need to ensure that your face is completely visible, from the top of your head to the bottom of your chin, and your ears are seen in the photo.
Background
Your Mexico visa photo must have a plain colored background, usually, white is a preferred color, but sometimes a darker background may be suitable. It’s important to note that the background cannot have any additional objects, signs, patterns, or variations of color.
Lighting and Quality
When you take your Mexico visa photo, you must ensure that the lighting fits the background, the photo is clear, and there are no shadows on your facial expressions. The picture cannot be too dark or too light, so your expression is distorted.
Head position
You must keep your head straight and look at the camera, slightly leaning forward. Your entire facial expression must be clear, and you must keep your eyes open, and mouth closed with a neutral expression.
Accessories
You are not allowed to wear headphones, head coverings, hats, glasses (sunglasses or prescription), and bandanas for your Mexico visa photo. However, for religious purposes or medical reasons, you may be allowed to wear head coverings or glasses. You have to make sure that your head coverage does not obstruct your facial expression and that your glasses are not tinted, do not reflect in the picture, nor do the frames obstruct your eyes.
Mexico Visa Photo Requirements for Minors
If you are taking your children with you when applying for a Mexican visa, they must take their visa picture. If the children are a little bit older, they must sit down and pose for the camera with a neutral expression. For children under 9, toddlers, and babies, parents can help their children pose for the photos— provided they are not visible in the photo background.
How Can I Attach My Photo to the Mexico Visa Application?
Some embassies may require you to glue the pictures to the application form; others may simply ask you to submit the pictures with the form without gluing them. If you qualify for a Mexican e-visa, i.e., if you are from Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine, you may be required to upload your photo as a JPG file. But, in the case of an e-visa, a photo may not be mandatory, so please make sure to check with the corresponding embassy.
Can I Take the Mexico Visa Photo at Home?
You can take your Mexico visa photo home if you have a good camera and someone to help you set up the settings. Additionally, you can find online tools to help you size the photo according to the requirements, and then you can simply download a printable version of the photo.