How to take a Karta Pobytu CUKR photo
Karta Pobytu CUKR is the Polish temporary residence permit for Ukrainian citizens who came to Poland after February 24, 2022. The application is submitted online via the mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl (MOS) portal, and it requires a digital biometric photo, 684×883 pixels.
This page explains how to take that photo yourself from your phone at home, no studio visit, no queues, no overpaying.
TL;DR
- Stand against a white wall, facing daylight from a window
- Take a selfie with the front camera at arm’s length
- Head straight, neutral expression, mouth closed, glasses off if possible
- Send the photo to the @FotoDoKartyBot bot, within 20 seconds you receive a ready 684×883 px JPG for MOS
1. Find the right light
Lighting is the single biggest factor in whether your photo passes validation.
- Daylight from a window: the best option. Stand facing the window during the day (not against the light).
- No overhead ceiling lamp: it creates shadows under the eyes and on the chin.
- No flash: the phone flash gives harsh reflections and red eyes.
- No yellow light: incandescent bulbs add a yellow tint, which MOS may reject.
If there’s no window with even light at home, stand against a white wall, turn on the brightest white light in the room, and switch off all warm-light lamps.
2. Find a white wall
The background must be plain white or very light gray, with no patterns, shadows, or objects. Simplest setup: stand 30–50 cm from a white wall (so your shadow doesn’t fall on the wall).
If you don’t have a white wall, hang a white sheet or a large A1 sheet of paper. The FotoDoKarty bot automatically removes small background defects.
3. Hold the phone correctly
- Camera height, eye level. Not from below (you’ll see up your nose), not from above (your face will look small).
- Distance, 50–70 cm. Arm’s length.
- The front camera is fine. If someone can take a back-camera shot, even better.
4. Pose and facial expression
- Head straight, no tilt or rotation
- Shoulders level, no twisting
- Eyes look into the lens
- Mouth closed, no smile, no visible teeth
- Eyebrows visible, not covered by hair
- Don’t squint: eyes fully open
5. What to wear
- Plain, single-color clothing (T-shirt, sweater)
- Avoid a white top on a white background, your face “blends in”
- No headwear (exception: religious reasons)
- No large earrings, necklaces, or face accessories
6. Can I wear glasses?
Technically yes, if there are no lens reflections and the frames don’t cover your face. But in 90% of cases it’s easier to take them off: guarantees the photo won’t be rejected for glare. If you have a medical exemption for wearing glasses, you’ll need to attach a certificate.
7. Common mistakes that cause MOS to reject the photo
| Mistake | How to fix |
|---|---|
| Yellow or gray background | Move closer to a white wall, add white light |
| Shadow on face or background | Turn your face toward the main light source |
| Head tilted | Look straight into the camera, shoulders level |
| Smile with teeth | Close your mouth, neutral expression |
| Glasses glare | Take the glasses off |
| Grainy, dark photo | Shoot in daylight, disable the phone’s night mode |
| Face too small | Move closer, face should fill 70–80% of the frame |
8. What a correct photo looks like
- Face fills 70–80% of the frame height
- Full head in frame, with a small gap above the top of the head
- White background, no patterns or shadows
- Eyes open, pupils visible
- Even lighting on the face, no harsh shadows
9. Done, what’s next?
Send your selfie to the @FotoDoKartyBot bot in Telegram. The bot:
- Validates the photo against biometric requirements (1–2 seconds)
- If something’s off, returns the selfie with recommendations (e.g. “turn your head straight”)
- If everything’s OK, generates 4 lighting variants, you pick the best
- Outputs a ready 684×883 px JPG for the MOS portal and a 10×15 cm sheet with 6 photos for printing
Everything in about 20 seconds. Today you pay directly in the Telegram bot for 250 XTR (Telegram Stars); card and Przelewy24 payment at 16.99 PLN gross is coming soon.
Why this works
The bot doesn’t invent a face. It takes your real selfie and brings it to the parameters MOS expects: 684×883 px, white background, ICAO 9303 framing. That’s why the portal accepts the file like an ordinary studio photo.
Have more questions? See our photo requirements page or the MOS upload walkthrough.