The Perfect Photo for Your Schengen Visa

How does it work?

Perfect biometric photo within 3 minutes.

Check how simple and smart is it!

Take or upload a photo

That's the only thing you need to do. Take or upload a photo - we will take care of the rest.

AI prepares the photo

Artificial Intelligence will check your photo, crop it to the right size and remove the background.

Expert verification

Our Photo Expert will make additional verification to check if your photo meets the official requirements.

Digital or printed photos

You can download a digital version and order a printout which we will send within 2-3 days. Delivery is free!

Why?

Take a biometric photo conveniently without leaving home

You save time and money

Convenience

Don't waste time, effort or money. You can take your passport photo without leaving home.

Professional service

Over 1 million people have used our services within the past 11 years. Our Photo Experts are available 24/7.

Money-back guarantee

We give you a guarantee of acceptance by authorities or otherwise we will refund you double the price!

Satisfaction guarantee

Take as many photo shots as you want - you pay only when you are satisfied.

How to take a photo?

Taking a photo for your ID has never been so easy.

Follow simple instruction to take a perfect ID photo.

Body-camera distance

The distance between the face and the camera should be about 40 cm. Ideally the photo should be taken by the other person.

Posture: Straight ahead

Place your face in front of the lens. Hold the camera at eye level and keep neutral face expression.

Lighting

Stand facing the light source, for example an exposed window. The background will be cut out, don't worry about it.

Schengen Visa Photo - Size & Requirements

The Perfect Photo for Your Schengen Visa

Size

Width: 35 mm

Height: 45 mm

Resolution

600 dpi

Is it suitable for online submission?

Yes

Image definition parameters

Head height: 34.5 mm

Top of the Photo to Top of the Hair: 3 mm

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More about Schengen Visa Photo - Requirements

Schengen Visa India: The perfect photo

When you’re an Indian citizen and want to travel to the Schengen area, you need to apply for a Schengen Visa. For your application to be successful you need to attach two identical biometric photos that were taken recently. Our Schengen Visa photo guideline will provide you with all the necessary information on the perfect photo and we’ll also show you how you can create it all on your own - with just your phone.

Schengen Visa Photo: Requirements

The requirements for a visa photo are the same as the standards adopted by the European Union. These might differ from Indian visa photo specifications. So here is what you have to pay attention to:

Size and Format for your Schengen Visa Photo

The biometric photo for your Schengen visa needs to be 35mm wide and 45mm high (35x45mm). Your entire face and the top part of your shoulders should be visible. Your face should make up 70 - 80 % of the picture. The image needs to be in colour and sharp.

Schengen Visa Photo Quality

If you want your application to be successful the picture you’re submitting should be clean, spotless and without any creases. It mustn't be blurry or pixelated so that your face and features are clearly visible. It’s also important that there weren't any filters used and that the picture wasn’t altered in any way. Your features as well as the colour of your skin and eyes need to be true to the original.

The perfect Background in Visa Photos

For your photo you’ll need a light coloured and plain background. It should be free of any patterns and “clutter”. If you don’t have a white or light-coloured wall in your house you can always put up a clean sheet. In this case it’s important that there are now shadows or wrinkles on the sheet. If you don’t have an appropriate wall or sheet at your disposal, our passport photo tool is here to help you. It will remove the background in your picture and replace it with a white one. So there is one thing less to worry about.

Lighting in your Visa Photo

Pay attention to the lighting. The photo mustn't be under or overexposed. Your whole face needs to be lit evenly and there shouldn’t be any shadows or reflections.

What to do with your Face and Eyes in a Visa Photo

When taking the photo you need to look straight into the camera and keep both eyes open. You’re also not allowed to smile and have to hold a neutral facial expression. Keep your mouth shut as you shouldn’t show any teeth and don’t tilt your head. Try to avoid the red-eye effect as this will cause your photo to be denied. Also make sure that no hair is covering your face and that your facial features remain clearly visible.

Rules for Glasses and Accessories in Visa Photos

Prescription glasses are allowed on visa photos, sunglasses and any glasses with tinted lenses, however, aren’t. Your eyes need to remain fully visible and they shouldn’t be covered by the frame. Make sure that the glasses don’t cause any reflections or glare.

Please note that it’s forbidden to wear hats, caps or similar accessories in the picture. The only exception is religious headwear. You’re allowed to keep it on, if your face is still fully visible from the tip of the chin to your forehead.

How to take your Schengen Visa Photo with your Phone

There is no need to get the help of a professional as you can take your visa photos on your own. All you need is a smartphone, a tablet or a digital camera and our passport photo tool. It helps you prepare the perfect photo for your visa application and brings you one step closer to being accepted. You can either use the editor here on our website or download the free app in the Google Play Store or in the App Store. Our Schengen Visa photo guidline from above gave you all the information you need to create the perfect picture.

It works in three easy steps:

Take your picture with a smartphone, a tablet or a digital camera and upload it.
Our AI-based software checks the picture, resizes it to fit the official requirements and replaces the background.
Afterwards a human professional will re-check and verify your photo. If everything looks good, we will send a digital photo template (JPEG-format) to your e-mail address.

All done! Now you’ve got the perfect photo for your Schengen Visa application ready. You can take the template to any printing station nearby or, if you prefer it that way, order the photos directly from our website. They will then be sent to your home address. No fuss, no stress.

A tip from us: When taking the pictures the camera needs to be placed about 1,5 m away from your face. So we recommend you ask someone for help or use a tripod.

Your Benefits When Using Our Visa Photo Tool

With Passport Photo Online you can save time and money by taking your visa photos on your own. But that’s not all. Our photo editor provides you with many more benefits:

Background remover

When you’re using our web editor or app you don’t have to worry about the right background for your picture. Usually we don’t have a perfectly coloured and clutter-free wall in our homes and there is no need to find one. Our AI-based software can remove and replace the background of the photo in order to fit the requirements. Just let us take care of it.

Endless tries

With Passport Photo Online there is no rush or pressure. Take your time and as many photos as you like. We want you to be happy with your photo and fully satisfied. You’ll only pay for the final picture so it’s completely up to you how often you want to retake your photo.

Acceptance Guarantee

All our photos are checked and verified by our software and human experts. They make sure that the size, lighting, background, head position etc. suit the official requirements. This means every picture that is purchased from us comes with a guarantee of acceptance. If your photo is rejected for any reason by officials, we will offer you a 200% refund. You’re in safe hands with us!

Last update: 24/03/23

About the document

When you want to visit a European country in the Schengen zone as an Indian citizen you need to apply for a Schengen Visa. There are different types of visa that differ in validity and travel purpose. So before you can apply for a visa you need to figure out which type is right for you and gather all necessary documents. Before we start, these are the countries that belong to the Schengen area:

Austria,
Belgium,
Czech Republic,
Denmark,
Estonia,
Finland,
France,
Germany,
Greece,
Hungary,
Iceland,
Italy,
Latvia,
Liechtenstein,
Lithuania,
Luxembourg,
Malta,
Netherlands,
Norway,
Poland,
Portugal,
Slovakia,
Slovenia,
Spain,
Sweden,
Switzerland.

Different Types of Schengen Visa

There are three different types of Schengen Visa you can apply for. Below you’ll find a short description of them to help you choose the one that suits your travel purpose best.

Category A: Transit Visa

The Transit Visa allows you to transit through a country in the Schengen zone in order to arrive at your final destination which is not a member of the Schengen area. This visa is useful and necessary if you have a layover at a European airport but do not plan to stay there. This visa is for transiting purposes only so you are not allowed to leave the airport.

If your travel plans make you land at two different airports of the Schengen area you should apply for the Uniform Schengen Visa.

If your final destination is a European country (e.g. Italy) and you need to transit through another Schengen territory (e.g. Spain) the Uniform Schengen Visa will be enough, there is no need for an additional Transit Visa.

Category C: Uniform Schengen Visas (USV)

The Uniform Schengen Visas (USV) allows its holder to enter a country of the Schengen area and stay there for a maximum of 90 days. You can apply for this visa every six months.

There are three different types of USVs:

single-entry visa: this visa allows you to enter a country of the Schengen area once and stay there up to 90 days. Afterwards you are not allowed to re-enter the Schengen zone until you apply for a new visa. If you leave the country during the 90 day period you also won’t be able to go back as your visa will be considered expired,

double-entry visa: if you need to re-enter the Schengen area within the 90 day time frame, we recommend the double-entry visa. It allows you to enter the country twice and stay a total of 90 days. As soon as you’ve left the second time, however, your visa expires.

multiple-entry visa: as a holder of the multiple-entry visa you can enter and re-enter the country as many times as you wish during the 90 day period.

Limited Territorial Validity Visas (LTV)

With a limited Territorial Validity Visa you can only enter and stay in the country of the Schengen area that issued the visa. So if it was issued by e.g. Spain you need to remain in Spain and are not allowed to travel to other countries on the Schengen territory.

Schengen Visa India: Required Documents

As an Indian citizen you need to collect a number of documents in order to apply for a Schengen Visa. Those are necessary and need to be submitted if you want your visa to be approved. Here is a list of the documents:

visa application form,
two recent passport photos that suit official requirements (Passport Photo Online will help you with this),
a valid Indian passport (it needs to be valid for at least 3 more months after leaving the Schengen area),
residence permit or Indian ID,
cover letter stating the purpose of your travel,
proof of flight reservation (needs to be a roundtrip),
proof of accommodation reservation for the duration of your stay,
proof of sufficient financial means for your stay.

In some cases more documents are required but you’ll be informed about them when starting your application process.

How to apply for Schengen Visa from India

Where to apply for your visa depends on where you're traveling to and how long you're planning to stay.

As a general rule, you need to submit your application to the embassy or consulate in India of the European country you will be staying in. If you’ll be residing in two different countries of the Schengen area you need to apply to the embassy/consulate of that country where you will spend most of your time. If your stay will be of equal length you’ll need to submit the application to the country you enter first.

If you only need a Transit Visa you have to apply at the embassy or consulate of the country you have your layover.
Remember that you can request your Schengen visa no earlier than 3 months before you start your trip to Europe.

As soon as you’ve figured out where to apply you need to schedule an appointment at the responsible visa centre in India. You can make this appointment online, by phone or in person. They will then assign you a day and time for your visa interview.

Don’t forget to bring the necessary documents and try not to be too nervous during the appointment.

Schengen Visa India: Cost and Waiting Time

A Schengen Visa in India will cost you 7088 INR (80€) for an adult and 5316 INR (60€) for children (aged 6-12). If your child is younger than 6 years old the visa will be free of charge.

As soon as you’ve completed the application process and passed the interview at the embassy you will have to wait a maximum of 15 days for your Schengen visa. This means you should consider the start date of your trip when applying for any visa so everything goes according to plan.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen Visa allows you to enter the Schengen area and stay there for a maximum of 90 days. If you’re traveling to a country that isn’t on the Schengen territory but you have a layover at an European airport, you still need to apply for a transit visa.

How much does a Schengen Visa cost in India?

A Schengen Visa for adults costs 7088 INR (80€) and for children (up to 12 years) 5316 INR (60€). Visas for children under the age of 6 are free of charge.

Where do I need to apply for a Schengen Visa?

You’ll need to apply at the embassy/consulate in India of the country you’re going to visit. You can schedule an appointment online, in person or by phone. Afterwards you’ll be invited to an interview where you’ll have to present certain documents (such as a valid Indian passport, two identical photos and a proof of residence). If you’re only transiting the Schengen area you need to submit your application at the embassy/consulate of the country you’ll have your layover.

Can I travel in more than one country in the Schengen area?

When you choose the Uniform Schengen Visa you’re allowed to cross borders within the 90 day period.

How long can I stay in the Schengen area?

Usually you can stay up to 90 days in the Schengen area. Depending on the visa you chose you’re only allowed to enter once. As soon as you leave the Schengen zone you cannot re-enter the country and need to wait six months before being able to submit a new application. If you need to re-enter the Schengen area we recommend you choose a double-entry or multiple-entry visa.

Do I need to submit a photo for the Schengen Visa application?

For your application to be successful you need to submit two identical and recent photos that fulfill the official requirements of the European Union. PhotoAid will help you with that so you have one thing less to worry about!

How long before the start of my trip should I apply for my Schengen Visa?

You’re not allowed to apply for a visa any earlier than 3 months before your trip starts. As soon as you’ve handed in all the necessary documents and passed the interview it will take a maximum of 15 days until your application is approved. So you need to consider this when planning your journey.