How should a Finland visa photo look?
Finland does not use the 35×45 mm Schengen frame; it has its own 36×47 mm format. Head height is 32-36 mm crown to chin (hair and beard not counted), backdrop light grey. The photo never travels with the application on paper: the certified studio uploads the file to the Poliisi portal, the customer receives a retrieval code by SMS or email and enters that code during the online application. Max file size 250 KB JPG.
The bodies that set the spec
The standard is published by Poliisi (Finnish Police). The photo must be submitted within six months of the capture date. The same 36×47 mm spec applies to passport, ID card and residence permit applications.
Workflow after the shoot
Bring the frame into PhotoID Studio and pick the Finland preset; the app aligns the face, sets head height (excluding hair and beard) into the 32-36 mm window, normalises the backdrop to light grey and outputs a JPEG optimised under 250 KB. The studio operator then uploads that file to the Poliisi portal using their own certified studio Poliisi account and forwards the retrieval code returned by the system to the customer by SMS or email.
Capture setup and direction
Seat the customer 1.5-2 m in front of a light grey backdrop with shoulders parallel to the camera. Camera on a tripod, lens at eye level. Standard setup: a 50-85 mm portrait lens, f/8, a softbox at 45° with a reflector opposite. Capture resolution stays high enough for the 250 KB compression to keep detail. Cue: "chin slightly back, mouth closed, eyes fully open, neutral expression"; glasses are strongly discouraged.
Why the police portal rejects
• A 35×45 mm frame uploaded; Finland requires 36×47 mm. • JPEG larger than 250 KB; the portal will not accept it. • Head height (without hair/beard) outside 32-36 mm. • Backdrop other than light grey. • A frame older than six months from the capture date. • Glasses glare; glasses are generally discouraged. • A smile, visible teeth, an open mouth.
For studios shooting Finnish passport and ID photos
In Finnish studios you no longer sell a print for the passport or ID: what you sell is the preparation of a correctly compressed 36×47 mm JPEG file. The studio operator then uploads that file to the Poliisi portal using their own Poliisi account and forwards the retrieval code returned by the system to the customer. The PhotoID Studio Finland preset enforces the 36×47 mm size, the head window and the 250 KB limit together.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Finland use 36×47 mm instead of 35×45 mm?
The Poliisi spec defines 36×47 mm; it diverges from the general Schengen size and the capture must use the Finnish preset.
Does the customer take a print home?
No. The certified studio uploads the file to the Poliisi portal using its own Poliisi account; the customer receives a retrieval code by SMS or email and enters it during the online application.
What is the maximum file size?
250 KB JPG. The PhotoID Studio export is optimised under that limit automatically; the upload step is performed by the studio operator on the Poliisi portal.
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