Schengen Visa Photo: Format and Guidelines [And a Hassle-Free Visa Photo Tool]

Schengen visa photo guidelines

If you want to travel to one or more countries in the European Union and you are not an EU citizen, you are obliged to get a Schengen visa. Regardless of the visa type, the requirements for the photo are the same. You must submit 2 identical pictures that are in color and not older than 6 months.

Schengen visa photo list of requirements

Every person planning to enter the Schengen Area for any reason may be subject to the visa regime. A Schengen visa is a document with a photo and this photo must meet some special requirements. Read our article to learn all about them and avoid making a mistake. We’ve gathered all the necessary information about:

• posing
• colors
• background
• size and cropping
• composition

After you’ve read our guidelines you’ll be able to prepare a perfect picture ready to attach to your visa application. Remember that your photo must be sharp, focused, and properly exposed in order to not get rejected. You’ll find the rest of the specification checklist below.

Schengen visa photo size (dimensions in mm and in inches)

Requirements for the size of every Schengen visa are the same. The Schengen visa photo size should be 35 x 45 mm ( approx. 14-18 inches) and the face should fill in approximately 70 - 80% of the image (the head size cannot be less than 32 mm and more than 36 mm). To obtain this effect, do not use zoom in your camera and don’t take a selfie, just keep the distance between you and the photographer (or tripod if you are taking the photo on your own). The recommended distance is between 1,20 and 2 metres. 

Is a 2 x 2 inch photo good for a Schengen visa?

No. The 2 x 2 inch (51 mm x 51 mm) measurement is a standard U.S. passport-style photo and it is not suitable for a Schengen visa. You need to take a new picture to attach to your European visa application. Do not crop an existing photo. As most photo booths in the U.S. offer photo sizing, consider taking the photo yourself. With our resizing and cropping photo app you can prepare a picture that will 100% satisfy the Schengen visa photo requirements.

Schengen visa photo crop

The photo crop must show the candidate’s entire face, including hair from the tip of the chin to the top of the head, neck, and upper part of the shoulders. Remember that all your facial features must be clearly visible and your hair must not obscure any part of it below the eyebrow line. Moreover, make sure that there is space left between your head and the photo’s edges. If you have voluminous hair, consider putting it up.

Background and colors in a Schengen visa photo

You must provide 2 color (not black and white) printed photos taken against a light background. The photo must show your natural skin tone and the true color of your eyes. This last part is important because a “red eye” effect caused by flash will disqualify the picture.

The background should be clear and plain, with no patterns or spots. You may choose its color between different shades of gray. If you have a dark complexion and/or hair, pick light gray and the other way around in order to obtain a satisfying contrast and not to blend into the background.

Speaking of the background - no objects or people can be visible behind you. but this does not mean that you need to hang a gray sheet behind you or paint the wall. In fact, you don’t even have to think about the background in the Schengen visa photo! All you have to do is to upload your picture to our background remover photo app and get it done! Our tool will replace the incorrect background with the required one within a second! 

Lighting in the Schengen visa photo

As both sides of your face must be evenly visible, no shadows or glares in the Schengen visa photo are accepted. To obtain this effect, the best idea is to use daylight and pose facing the window. If you’re using lamps, make sure that they illuminate your face symmetrically.

Make sure also that your picture is not overexposed or underexposed - adjust the brightness in your digital camera options if you see that it is not properly exposed. Adjust the contrast and focus functions too if they are not adjusted automatically.

If you’re taking a picture with your smartphone, you don’t really have to deal with any adjusting as today’s mobile devices are equipped with super high-quality cameras which adjust everything automatically.

If you wear eyeglasses, make sure that they don’t cause any glare by reflecting the light. It happens often in photos taken using flash and it should be avoided.

Schengen visa photo quality

You must submit 2 identical photos printed on high-quality paper. Applying for a Schengen visa online is not possible at the moment, so once you order your photo template, you’ll need to print it using one-hour photo services in a print shop or drugstore. Do not use your home inkjet printer as the quality of images it produces is too low.

More about technical visa photo requirements:

• the resolution of a ready-to-print digital image must be at least 600 dpi
• the face must be sharply focused in all areas, rich in contrast, and clear
• the photo must be printed on photo-quality paper in color
• dye-sublimation print is required

Schengen visa photo composition and head position

Schengen visa photos are biometric so it can be a bit similar to a mugshot. There are some universal rules about composition and head position for biometric photos. The head must be located in the central spot of the picture and must not be tilted in any direction. The en-face view is mandatory.

Your mouth must be closed, but not tightened. Look straight at the camera and don’t smile/show your teeth. 

Clothing in the Schengen visa photo

There is only one rule about clothing here: you must not wear uniforms nor any army-patterned clothes or ones with insignia on them, as they may resemble uniforms.

Apart from that, there is no such a thing as a “dress-code for Schengen visa photo”, but you will show your photo to immigration officers so it is a good idea to make yourself look presentable. A simple button-up shirt, a V-neck, or a shirt with a collar is our recommendation. If you like jewelry, there are no objections. Just keep in mind that wearing massive earrings or hair decorations is not recommended as they can obscure the face.

Religious attire and head covering in the Schengen visa photo

If you wear your religious attire every day and during your international travels, you can keep it for your Schengen visa picture. You may keep your hijab, yarmulke, or other headgear worn for religious reasons. You don’t need to explain it or fill out any special forms. Just make sure that your head covering does not obscure your face (as, for example, a niqab which is not allowed).

Any fashion head coverings (caps, hats, headbands) are prohibited in the visa photo.

Schengen visa photo originality

Your Schengen visa photo must be original. What exactly does that mean? Of course, the photo must present you. It also cannot be cut out of a larger picture, but produced specially for the purpose of your visa application. You’re also not allowed to interfere in your photo using any computer software. Special filters, retouching, using Photoshop, and other graphic design programs is prohibited and strictly verified. Schengen visa photos are checked by computer software and if it detects any alteration, the picture automatically gets rejected.

7 most important things to remember while taking a Schengen visa photo:

1. Don’t smile, frown, or make faces
2. Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open
3. Do not tilt your head
4. Look directly into the camera lens
5. Make sure that all your facial features are clearly visible
6. If you wear eyeglasses, make sure the frames don’t obscure your eyes and that the lenses don’t produce a glare 
7. Adjust the size, crop and background of your photo - all in one second!

For point #7 of your Schengen visa photo checklist, you will need our intelligent photo app. You can download it from the AppStore for iOS operating devices or from the Google Play Store for Android phones.

Schengen visa photo near me

As you know, you need to attach 2 color printed photos, sized 35 mm x 45 mm, to your Schengen visa application. Since at the moment it’s not possible to submit the visa application online along with digital files, you may be asking yourself: “where can I take a Schengen visa photo near me?” The answer is very easy: you can take your European visa photo from right where you are! All you need is your phone and our smart photo app. Following our tips, you’ll be able to produce a 100% correct visa photo within seconds. Your photo will be resized, cropped, and adjusted to fit all the visa photo criteria set forth by the EU for all Schengen countries. Once you receive the visa photo via email, you can send it to a one-hour photo store or print it in a photo booth. Nothing easier!

Last update: 3/30/23