The rules in plain words
Italian missions ask for one recent passport-format photo and point to the ICAO guidelines published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI).
- Size: 35x45 mm, width by height (1.38 x 1.77 in), at 300 dpi.
- Copies: 1.
- Face size: 70-80% of the photo, and the chin-to-crown height is 31.5-36 mm.
- Background: white, evenly lit.
- Age: taken within the last 6 months.
- Glasses: allowed if there is no glare, but not sunglasses or heavy frames.
- Head covering: only for religious reasons, with the face fully visible.
How to take it at home
Sit facing a window in daylight and keep a white wall or sheet behind you, with a gap so your shadow does not fall on it. Ask someone to hold the phone at eye level in portrait orientation and frame your head and shoulders. Keep a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and head level. Pull hair back from your face and avoid reflections on lenses.
Upload the picture to IDPhotoly. It is processed in your browser, cropped to 35x45 mm with the face inside the stated range, and the background is replaced with even white.
The ICAO guidelines also ask for a neutral expression with the mouth closed, and the head should be straight, not turned or tilted. The face should be centred with the full head and the top of the shoulders visible, so avoid cropping into the hair or the chin.
Common reasons for rejection
- Uneven lighting, with one side of the face darker.
- A grey, cream or patterned background instead of white.
- A face too small in the frame, or cropped too tight.
- Sunglasses, tinted or heavy frames, or glare.
- Smiling widely, an open mouth or closed eyes.
- Software editing that changes your features.
- A print on plain paper with visible banding.
Printing the photo
Download the 4x6 inch (10x15 cm) sheet and print it on photo paper at 100 percent, never fit to page. A pharmacy or kiosk can do it, but ask them not to rescale the file. Measure one photo with a ruler: 35 mm wide, 45 mm tall. Cut along the guides and keep the white border around the head intact.
Submitting
The printed photo goes with your visa application form. Because each mission may publish its own checklist, read the one for your mission before you apply. If the visa centre captures biometrics on site, ask whether they still want the printed photo.
IDPhotoly is not affiliated with any government. If an official authority rejects a photo made with the service, you can request a full refund by email within 30 days.