Tourism is one of Mexico’s largest industries and the country is the largest destination for travelers from South and Central America. It is also the world’s 8th most popular tourist destination and in 2006 the country received over 21 million foreign tourists. Besides the famous resorts like Acapulco and Cancun with their long golden beaches and hectic nightlife, there are a number of smaller more secluded sea side getaways for those looking for a quieter and more relaxed time.

The other famous tourist attractions are the ruins of the Maya and Inca cities which offer an awe inspiring glimpse into long dead but, for their time, very advance civilizations. Mexicans are a warm and friendly people and go out of their way to make visitors feel welcome.

The temperate climate and the unique culture – a blend of Spanish and Native American, are other reasons why the country has become one of the world’s major tourist hot spots. The best time to visit is from December to July. However, if you are going to any of the sea side resorts during the college breaks; be prepared for hordes of noisy college students enjoying their vacations there.

Mexican passport photos are of a fairly simple nature. The main requirements are:

• The picture should be submitted in 4 copies. While 3 is the official quantity required, the authorities are known to often ask for an additional one while the application is being processed and submitting an extra one will save time.

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  The photos should be of the standard size – 3.5cms X 4.5cms

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  They should be in color and taken against a white or lightly colored background.

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  You should be looking directly at the camera. Pictures even slightly in profile have been known to be rejected.

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  Your face should fill between 70 to 80% of the photo area.

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  One important requirement is that the photos should be images captured on film and printed on photographic paper. Digital image printed out on glossy paper like you would do for photos you have taken are not accepted.

Mexican Visa photos should meet the same specifications as the passport ones. Once again it is advisable to submit and extra copy (4 in all) of your photos along with the visa application to be in the safe side.

While the specs Mexican visa and passport photos are not as highly defined as those of some other countries, be careful not the take the requirements for granted and ensure that you submit the right kind of photos.

Citizens of some countries do not require visas to enter Mexico. Before traveling to the country is makes sense to check with the Mexican Embassy nearest you as to whether or not you need a visa.

Switzerland is a land of mountains, lakes, snow capped peaks, the world’s best watches, chocolates and cheeses, an international banking hub and one of the cleanest and well maintained countries in the world. What more is there to say? Everyone knows Switzerland and has their own reasons for going there.

The Swiss are know for their methodical and organized approach in all things. This is evident in the clear cut requirements for obtaining a visa which are:

• A passport which should be valid for at least three months from the expiry of the Swiss visa
• The application for completed in every respect a confirmed round trip ticket from your country of residence to Switzerland and back. If the ticket is not immediately available proof of purchase in the form of written confirmation for a travel agent or airline giving details of your itinerary is acceptable. If you are proceeding to another country after Switzerland, you may be required to show a valid visa for that country. This is best confirmed from the Swiss embassy.
• You will have to show proof that your are financially able to make the trip. This could be either in the form of a copy of the most recent bank statement or a letter from your bank confirming your bank balance. The basis for deciding your financial viability will be that you will need at least $100 per day of your visit.
• You will be required to submit a letter from our employer (unless you are retired) that will confirm your position in the company and your salary.

The requirements for both Swiss passport and visa photographs are the same. To apply for either a passport or a visa you must submit 2 photos of a 3.5cms X 4.5cms size along with your application. Your face, from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin, should measure between 29 to 35mm. In the case of children below 11 years of age, the face should be between 23 to 34 mm, measured in the same way.

The background should be either pure white or off white with no patterns, designs or external objects in the frame. If you wear glasses they should be worn in the photo but neither the frame not any reflection from the glass should obscure the eyes. Head wear is allowed if religious beliefs require it to be worn, but the head wear should not in any way cover the face or restrict identification. The photos should be less than six months old and your facial expression should be neutral. It is essential that your mouth is closed and your teeth are not visible in the photos as this will affect is applicability for use with facial recognition software.

Famous as the land of the Vikings and the home of the two great Bergmans of cinema – Ingrid and Ingmar, the Volvo and also of ABBA, Sweden is unique in that it’s long and interesting history has had little outside influences on it. Like Switzerland, it has maintained both it sovereignty and neutrality through the ages.

Sweden permits citizens of many countries, epically those of the European Union, to enter the country without a visa or obtain a visa on arrival. However, since the rules on these are very strict, it is better to check with the embassy to know your eligibility and also the visa fees which vary form country to country.

For most of the 20th century Russia, or the USSR as it was then called, was a victim of its self imposed isolation and cut off from the rest of the world. Business travel was rare since foreign trade and investment was not encouraged and while there was no ban on tourists coming to the country, the visa policies and the conditions and limitations imposed on the visitor, made a trip there something only the hardiest traveler would undertake.

Russian passport photos must meet the following specs:

• They should be 3.5cms X 4.5cms

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  6 copies of the photos have to be submitted with the application

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  The head must occupy approximately 75% of the total photo area

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  Photos should be recent and bear a clear resemblance to the applicant

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  Any for covering of the face, even because of traditional costume requirements is not allowed

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  If you are wearing spectacles in the photo, there should be no light reflecting off them and your eyes should be clearly visible through the lenses.

There is not much detail given about the specs for visa photos expect that they should match passport photo requirements. However to be on the safe side, please ensure that you are looking straight at the camera, if you have long hair, make sure it does not cover any part of your face, and that the background is either white or of a light color. Avoid any patterned backgrounds in your visa photos. The best way to ensure that your Russian visa photo is accepted easily, besides following the guidelines mentioned above, is to make sure they are in line with the generic visa photo specs of European countries.

Russia has a somewhat complicated procedure for applying for a visa. The policies are also known to be subject to frequent changes (often not formally announced) caused by changes in the international security scenario and bilateral problems with some countries. It is advisable to contact the nearest Russian Embassy or Consulate to find out what are the actual polices and restrictions prevailing at the time you are applying for your visa.

Getting a visa to visit Russia may entail answering more questions than you would have to for other European countries and it may also take longer to come through, but it is worth the effort to be able to visit the land full of ancient history, incredible beauty and friendly people.

Finland is a country of contrast, from the modern urban areas to the wild and majestic countryside. Full of forests and lakes with great winter sports opportunities, it is a leading outdoors, adventure and sporting holiday destination. It is also a place where you can experience the Midnight Sun – during the summer months the sun remains in the sky for several weeks on end making a land of continuous daylight.

Finnish Passport and Visa photo and other specifications are among the most stringent in the world. This odes not mean that there is anything extra or unusual about them but every parameter is defined and needs to be followed if you want your application for a passport or visa to have the right kind of photos so it in not rejected. Here is what is expected of the photos:

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  While the present policy is that both black and white as well as color photos are accepted, this will change soon, so it is safer to submit only color photos

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  The photos must be less than six months old

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  The photos should be 47mm X 36mm

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  The size of your face in the photos should be between 32 and 36mm measured from the opt of the head (not including the hair) to the base of the chin.

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  The background must be plain gray with no shadows

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  The contrast must be such that the facial features are clearly discernible

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  Your head should be in the center of the photo

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  Both your head as well as your shoulders should be facing the camera

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  No portrait style photos with profiles of special effects will be accepted

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  Your expression must be neutral and you mouth closed sp that your teeth are not visible

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  Your eyes must be wide open but not unnaturally so

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  No part of your face should be covered by any headgear or hair

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  Glasses should not be worn for the photo

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  Lighting must be uniform and there should not be any dark patches or spots in the photo

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  Natural light should be used and any tints will not be acceptable

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  There should be no red eyes effect caused by the use of a flash

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  It must be printed on top quality paper and be clear with a sharp focus

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  No scratches, stains or other marks should be visible

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  Digital retouching or other modification of photos is not allowed as this will affect the viability of face recognition software.

Having gone through all those specs, it is still preferable to contact the Finnish Embassy and see if anything else is required and also to know what documents are required to be submitted along with our application. While visa policy for European and some other countries is fairly straight forward, in some case special supporting documents are needed.

The land of the Vikings, the seafaring race that was once feared throughout Europe is now a peaceful and tranquil land of great natural beauty and warm and friendly people. Located on the Jutland peninsula, Denmark, including the 400 islands that line the coast, is one of Europe’s smallest countries. However that does not stop it from being a favored holiday destination not just for Europeans, but for people from all over the world. The Danes are a tidy and organized people who take great pride in maintaining the natural beauty of their country which can be seen from the pristine villages that dot the landscape, the crystal clear water in the fjords, the lush vegetation on the rolling grasslands and the mountains and the long stretches of clean beaches. Of course, the cuisine, especially the Danish pastries are world famous.

Passport and visa photographs requirements for Denmark are the same and are not complicated. However, the photo specifications must be followed very carefully. Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives visa applicants this warning – “Photos will be scanned onto the sticker and it is very important that the following requirements are met. If not the application process will be delayed until a proper photo is handed in.”

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  The photos must be recent and identical

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  Photos must be 45mm high and 35mm wide

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  Only color photographs are accepted. Please note that the older policy of accepting either black and white or color photos is no longer valid.

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  The background should be light and plain. Patterns or designs in the background are not acceptable. The photos must be such that when scanned the image appears clearly.

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  Your face MUST fill between 70 to 80% of the total photos area.

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  While headwear is allowed if required because of religious beliefs, the face including the cheekbones and the chin must not be covered.

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  While both printed film based photos and digital images are accepted, the minimum resolution for digital photos is 300 pixels.

Citizens of European Union countries do not require a visa to enter Denmark. People from some other countries are also exempt from requiring a visa. These include Australia, Canada, Japan and the USA. If you are a citizen of another country, you should check with the Danish Embassy nearest you to see if you are required to have a visa to enter Denmark

The home of Pope John Paul II, Fredric Chopin and Marie Curie, Poland’s long and tumultuous history is closely linked with that of the rest of Europe. Poland has been conquered, partitioned, and subject to wars at many times in its long history. Whatever has happened, the Poles have maintained their unity and have never lost their fierce patriotic zeal. Even while under post World War II communist rule, long before other countries in the same situation tried to will their freedom, the Poles made a valiant although failed attempt when they rose up against the foreign rule in 1956.

The Polish people are famous for their friendliness, hospitality and their strong family values. Poland today is a modern country but for the tourist looking for something different, there are old villages where time seems to stand still and you are taken back hundreds of years, pastoral setting that rival those to be found anywhere else in Europe in their beauty and serenity and ancient castles and forts that take the visitor back to the more turbulent times in Poland past. Its location in the heart of Europe makes it a great place to either begin or end an exploration of the rest of the continent.

Requirements for Polish passport photographs are:

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  Three identical photos must be submitted along with the application

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  The photos must not be more than 6 months old

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  The size should be 35mm X 45mm

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  The photos should be in color and must have a light grey background

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  The size of the facial image, as measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin must be between 31 to 36mm

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  The eye line should be between 20 to 30mm from the bottom of the photo.

Visa photo requirements are somewhat different and are spelt out in more details:

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  The photos should be submitted in 3 copies

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  They must be in color

•  The photos must be printed of high quality paper and have a bright background

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  The photos should not be more than 6 months old.

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  The person should be looking straight at the camera and both sides of the face should be clearly visible.

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  The head should occupy about 75% of the total picture surface

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  The shoulders should be visible

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  Facial coverings and hats or other headgear are not permitted in the photos

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  Hair should not cover any part of the face and the eyes should be clearly visible

• The mouth must be shut and teeth not visible in the photosWhile there is no restriction on the wearing of glasses in the photos, it is preferable to remove them to ensure that reflections do not affect the visibility of the eyes.

Pakistan, until about half a century ago, was a part of India. When India became independent, the North West part of the country became an independent state. Much like India in many ways and sharing much of the same heritage, it is a place of great charm and has many places of natural beauty. Visitors should be aware that it is an Islamic state and Islamic laws and conventions, including those on women travelling alone or how women are required to dress, apply. The unrest in neighboring Afghanistan has affected the tourist inflow to the country but the volume of business visitors has remained unaffected.

An unusual requirement is that while the photos have to be printed on thin paper, the paper itself must be able to withstand temperatures of up to 225 degrees F. This because the passport photos are heat fused onto the document. This does not apply to visa photos, but since some embassies prefer to stick to a single standard, it is safer to ensure that even visa photos meet this requirement.

Pakistan exempts people from certain countries from requiring a visa. On the other hand, there are restrictions on entry into the country for certain categories of people, especially if they in the case of certain nationalities if they have been found to have travelled to India within a short time of their Pakistan visit. Your best option will be to contact your nearest Pakistan Embassy or Consulate and ask them about any restriction that may apply in your case.

Made up of over 17000 islands and stretching over 5000 miles along the equator, Indonesia is a place of great natural beauty and offers the tourist a wide variety of topographies and ecological regions, which explains why it is growing in popularity as a tourist destination. An ideal destination for the outdoor tourist, it offers miles upon miles of coral reefs that lie in clear waters, making diving and snorkeling a joy. There are thousands of miles of pristine beaches, both at the popular tourist resorts and the remote locations – ideal for the adventurous traveler. Rainforests, volcanoes and an abundance of unique wildlife, including the famed Komodo Dragon make up just some of the other attractions.

Indonesian passport photo requirements are fairly simple:

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  6 photos of 50cms square size are to be submitted along with the passport application. Please note that some Indonesian government departments and Embassies give slightly different photo sizes. To be safe, please contact the embassy or office you are submitting the passport application to and check on the size they require.

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  The photos should be in color with a medium red background. This means that the red should not be so bright as to reflect light and affect the clarity of the picture and not so dark as to cause the details of the face to be lost in a dark background.

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  You must be looking directly at the camera

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  Your face should be in the center of the photos and occupy about 75% of the photo area

 Specifications for visa photos are more clearly defined:

• The size should be 50cms square

• 2 copies are to be submitted with the visa application.

• The photos should be in color with a white background. Light shades and patterns will not be accepted.

• The size of your face in the photos is very important. Measuring from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, the image should be not less than 1 inch and not more that 1 and 3/8 of an inch

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  The photos should not be more than six months old

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  Your clothes should be normal daily wear. Uniforms are not acceptable in visa photos even for those whose work requires them to wear one.

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  If you normally wear a wig or hair extensions or use a visible hearing aid or other such device these should be worn in the photo. However, spectacles should not be worn.

Just because the Indonesian visa photo requirements are not too complicated, do not submit any old photos. You may find them being rejected and have to apply all over again.

The Indonesian government permits citizens from selected countries to enter Indonesia without a visa or to obtain an automatic visa on arrival. There are two types of visa – tourist and business and both have different requirements in terms of the application procedure and supporting documents required.

India is more than just a country. In size it occupies an entire subcontinent. Its population numbers over one billion and is second only to China. It is home to hundreds of cultures, languages and every religion known. Climatically it contains just about every environment you could ask for, from snow capped peaks to lush valleys, from the desert to the rain forest and everything in between.

Indian visa and passport photos specs are fairly straight forward but they must be strictly adhered to or the application will be rejected. The photos must be 3.5cms X 4.5cms and in color. The background must be white. While that is about all the official visa sources have to say, please do keep the following in mind because applications have been known to be rejected for not confirming to the these factors:

• If you are wearing glasses, please make sure that reflection from the lenses do on limit the visibility of your eyes

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  If you have long hair, ensure that it does not obscure your face.

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  It is preferable not to wear a hat or any kind of head covering in the photos.

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  You should be looking directly at the camera and both sides of your face should be visible in the photos

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  Your face should occupy about 75% of the total photo area.

There are both tourist and business visas available for visiting India. The tourist visas are fairly easy to obtain. All you need is a passport with at least six months validity left and a confirmed round trip ticket. Business visas too are easy to obtain but may require the submission of more details about the nature of the business the visit is for. India does not bar the entry of people form any country, although in the case of certain countries where there are diplomatic or security concerns, some special requirements may exist. Contacting the Indian Embassy to check on any special requirements (unlikely though it may be) and the visa fees is a good idea.

France is one of the world’s most frequented destinations. It is one of the most popular holiday locales and offers the tourist everything from the glories of Paris to the famous wines of the Burgundy and Champagne regions, to the beaches of Nice and St. Tropez and incredible scenery in the interiors of the country. From the Loire valley to the French Alps, there is something here for everyone. And of course, the delights of French food are known throughout the world. The country is also one of the world’s largest economies and has trading ties with every corner of the planet which translates into huge volumes of business adding to the already huge tourist inflow.

• The photos should be submitted in 2 copies

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  The photos should be less than six month old

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  The photos should be of a 3.5cms X 4.5cms size

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  The size of the head in the picture, measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin should be approximately 3cms.      That is, the face should make about 80% of the total photo area.

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  If possible, the ears should be exposed

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  Photos should be in color showing natural skin tones.

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  The background should be either white or a very light color. Anything else is not acceptable.

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  Glasses or other eyewear of any kind that affects the appearance of the person is not allowed. To be on the safe side, it is best to remove your spectacles before having your photo taken even if you normally wear them.

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  Face masks and veils, even if traditional and part of normal wear, are not permitted.

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  The photos should not have any flash reflection on the skin

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  There eyes should not appear red in color as often happens with flash photography.

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  Hair should not obscure, even partly, a clear view of the person’s eyes. 
  

France exempts citizens of many countries from require a visa to enter the country for short durations.

Because of increasing security concerns France is very particular that citizens applying for a passport and visitors wanting a visa should comply with all the specifications and requirements of the photographs failing which the applications will be rejected without any reference to the applicant. So please be sure that the photos you submit along with your passport or visa application for France, do not deviate in any way for the conditions mentioned above.