Schengen Visa Photo Requirements
Schengen photo rules follow the ICAO standard and are shared across all member states, but individual consulates apply them with differing strictness. A photo accepted in one country's consulate may be questioned at another, so aim to satisfy the strictest reading.
Make a compliant schengen area visa photo now
Free, and your photo is processed in your browser — it is never uploaded.
Open the Schengen Area photo toolThe official specification
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
| Pixel dimensions | 413 × 531 px |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Head height | 70–80% of the photo height |
| Background | Plain, #ffffff |
Source: European Commission — Migration and Home Affairs. Requirements change — confirm there before you submit.
Rules that catch people out
Light grey or off-white background
A uniform light background with clear contrast against your hair and shoulders. Pure white is usually accepted but light grey is safer across consulates.
Face must fill 70-80% of the frame height
This is the ICAO rule and the one most self-taken photos fail. Standing too far from the camera leaves the head too small and the photo is returned.
Recent — within the last six months
Consulates compare the photo against your appearance at the appointment. A visibly older photo invites questions and delay.
Neutral expression, both ears ideally visible
Mouth closed, eyes open, head straight rather than tilted. Ears do not have to be visible but a straight-on pose helps the biometric comparison pass.
Glasses allowed but rarely worth it
Thin frames with no glare and no tint are permitted. Given that glare is the most common reason a Schengen photo is rejected, removing them is the safer choice.
Why schengen area visa photos get rejected
- Head too small in the frame — the single most common failure
- Glare on glasses from a flash
- A photo printed on ordinary paper rather than photo paper
- Tilting the head slightly, which fails the biometric check
- Using a photo already submitted for a previous visa application
Printing and submitting
Most Schengen appointments require a physical print glued or clipped to the application form, and many visa centres will also scan it. Bring two prints — an appointment rescheduled over a photo costs far more than a second copy.
Ready to make yours?
The tool crops to 35×45 mm at 300 DPI and checks head height and background before it releases the file.
Open the Schengen Area photo toolOther photo requirements
- US Passport Photo Requirements51×51 mm · 300 DPI
- UK Passport Photo Requirements35×45 mm · 300 DPI
- India Passport and OCI Photo Requirements51×51 mm · 300 DPI
- Canada Passport Photo Requirements50×70 mm · 300 DPI
- Australia Passport Photo Requirements35×45 mm · 300 DPI
- Baby and Infant Passport Photo Requirements51×51 mm · 300 DPI
- Pet Passport Photo Requirements35×45 mm · 300 DPI
- Driver's License and State ID Photo Requirements51×51 mm · 300 DPI
This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.