Learn About France's Visa Photo Requirements [With Examples & Online Photo Tool]

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Learn About France's Visa Photo Requirements [With Examples & Online Photo Tool]
1M+
approved
ID photos
200%
Guarantee of
acceptance

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How to take a photo?

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

Follow these simple instruction to take the perfect ID photo.

1

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.

2

Posture: Straight ahead

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

3

Lighting

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

French visa digital photo - size and requirements

France Visa Photo Requirements [Examples & Online Tool]
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
Is it printable?
Yes
Background Color
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More about French Visa Photo - Requirements

French visa photo guidelines

France is one of the most popular countries to travel. Paris, the capital of France, is known by Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum. Additionally, you can go to the Alps or visit beaches on French Atlantic Coast. Some tourists are obligated to have a visa to come into France.

If you try to get a visa, you will have to take a correct photo, which will be accepted by the embassy. We prepared all the most important information about french visa photo requirements, which help you to get a visa to France.

French visa photo size and colours

The french visa photo has to fulfill some conditions. First of all, you need to prepare two identical photographs. The picture must be taken within the last six months. It is required to submit images in colour (not black and white) with 4.5 cm of height and 3.5 cm of width. Other dimensions will be rejected.

Additionally,  the visa photo in France must have natural brightness and contrast. The photo should be taken on a light-coloured background and with uniform lighting. There is no possibility to show any shadows, flash reflections or red eye effects. It is important that the head should take 70-80% of the photo.

French visa photo specification

In France, visa photo requirements include looking straight at the camera with a neutral face expression, the closed mouth. Secondly, the taken photo must be of high resolution, printed on high quality paper, with no ink marks or creases, in sharp focus and clear. The picture is needed to be printed professionally or taken in a passport photo booth. 

You cannot cover your face and your eyes have to be open and clearly visible, therefore there is no possibility to wear sunglyour head must be fully visible, without any covering, unless worn for religious or medical reasons. If you wear glasses, make sure that the frames do not obscure any part of your eyes.

  • Background should be white or off-white in colour. Our photo generator will make it #fcfcfc, as suggested by official requirements.
  • The French visa photo must be in colour
  • Facial expression should be natural
  • Headphones, jewellery, glasses and other items should not be worn
  • Both eyes have to be open
  • The height of the photo is 45 mm (0,45cm) and the width of the photo is 35 mm (Equivalents to 0,35 cm)
  • One should face the camera directly with full face in view

Schengen visa France photo requirements

Schengen visa photo requirements in France are the same, allowing an intended to stay in the territory of the Schengen States for no more than 90 days in any 180 days period. It is called a “short stay visa”. There is also an “airport transit visa”, which permits a transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen States. 

The minimal allowable size of the head on the visa Schengen picture is 32 mm and the maximum is 36 mm. It is a very important requirement that printing resolution must be of at least 600 dpi.

If you have a Schengen visa, you can travel around “Schengen States”. There are 26 countries without border controls between them. These countries are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

What is not allowed in a French visa photo?

If you try to get a visa to France, take care of every element of the photo, otherwise your application will be rejected and you will have to redo the process. We prepared the most important tips and specifications, which will help you take a perfect visa photo to France. 

Your photo cannot be:

  • outdated. It must be taken in the last six months;
  • uncoloured, too lighted or darked, blurred, marked, creased, pixelated;
  • not centered, too close or too far away.

In the picture you must not:

  • be looking away,
  • have eyes closed,
  • cover your eyes and head, unless it is for religious or medical reason;
  • smile or show any unnatural facial expression;
  • stay sideways.

Baby or children visa photo - France

There are no special requirements for baby or children pictures for a visa. The photos must meet the general conditions listed for adults. Make sure there is only a child in the photo, the background is slightly light coloured and she or he has a neutral face expression and mouth closed. Any other thing like toys, teddy bears etc. cannot be visible on the baby's visa photo. 

Where to take a visa photo to France?

Everybody knows that you should go to the photographer to take a visa picture, because there are a lot of specifications for a photo to be accepted by the embassy or another department. You go, pay and get ready pictures, but it takes some time to look for a photographer, to drive, park and so on.  

Nowadays, today we have a fantastic moment in history, because technology allows us to have things done using your smartphone or computer. There is no difference in taking a photo for a French visa online and at a sport. There are a lot of photo tools, photo editors and validators concerning visa photos. Fortunately, you do not have to look for anything! We will help you. Read our tips, take a photo and upload it to our online app, allow verification of your photo by app and save your money and time! Remember, that you pay only for correct photos with a warranty of acceptance by authorities.

Last update: 6/8/23

About the document

Do I need a visa to travel to France?

France is a very popular country to travel, study and work. Actually, some nationalities do not have a special permission or visa to visit this place. France Schengen visas allow entry to enter France in short-term visit (up to 90 days). This categories also do not need a visa to enter the country :

  • holders of France or a Schengen country residence permit;
  • holders of long-stay visa of a Schengen country;
  • holders of an EU members residence or long-term EU residence permit;
  • holders of British passport;
  • holders of special residence cards as diplomatic or consular staff.

France also has long-term visas, which allow you to stay from three to twelve months. Only the citizens of the following nations do not need a visa to stay longer than one year:

  • EU nationals;
  • EEA national (Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein);
  • Nationals of Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, Holy See;
  • “Family of French national”;
  • Foreign nationals, who have a long-term status of residence in another EU country.

It is worth saying that France is not only Europe, because they have also overseas departments like French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion Islands or Saint-Martin. It is called French Overseas Départements and Regions (DROM). 

The following nationals are allowed to visit France DROM without short-term visa:

  • citizens of EU, EEA and Switzerland;
  • holders of biometric passport from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia;
  • holders of passport from Hong Kong and Macau;
  • nationals of the following countries and holders of Schengen-visa: Bahrain, Belarus, China, Kuwait, India, Oman, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates;
  • nationals of: Andorra, Anguilla and British Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Mariannes, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and Grenadine, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom (British National Overseas passport), United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Whereas, the nationals of the following countries do not need to obtain a long-term entry visa in order to enter the DROM and remain for up to one year :

  • European Union member countries;
  • European Economic Area (EEA) member countries;
  • Switzerland;
  • Monaco;
  • Andorra.

Additionally, there are also French overseas collectivities and territories (CTOM). It is contains: 

  • French Polynesia;
  • New Caledonia;
  • Wallis and Futuna; 
  • French Southern;
  • Antarctic Territories.

There are some rules for visitors, who do not need a short-stay visa in France CTOM:

  • Holders of a french resident card or of a french long stay visa;
  • Holders of a Dutch residency permit in Sint Maarten are not required to have an entry visa for Saint Martin;
  • Nationals from the following countries who are involved in income-earning activities: Australia (for Mayotte and Saint Pierre and Miquelon, exemption for one month only), Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Venezuela.
  • Nationals from the following countries: EU, EEA, Switzerland, Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Malaysia, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Holy See, Uruguay.

Member states of EU and EEA, nationals of Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra are exempted from having long-term permission to stay in France CTOM.

French Visa for US Citizens

If you are a citizen of the United States and you are going to France, you do not have to get a tourist visa for stays under 90 days. It is enough if you have a passport valid at least three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area. Additionally, you must have at least one blank page for stamps. Remember: you do not have to have a visa, if you are going to France in Europe!

If you are going to France DROM for up 90 days, you also do not have to get a short-stay visa. Only if you are planning to stay longer, you will have to get a visa. 

Unless you have a Schengen visa, you need to get a permission to visit France CTOM.

What Type of France Visa Should I Apply For?

You will have quite a hard process, if you need a visa to France. A France Schengen visa is issued to foreigners that wish to visit France, the French territories or another Schengen area country for less than 90 days within a 6-month period. You can apply for French visa if you are travelling for one of the following reasons:

  • tourism;
  • transit through the French airport;
  • to make a family and private visit;
  • in business reason or professional meeting or a conference;
  • education;
  • internship.

How to apply for a French visa?

There are a few steps to get a French visa. First of all you need to choose the right embassy. If you are going to visit only France, you have to check French embassy. If you are going to visit more than one of the Schengen countries, but you are going to stay in France most of the time, you have to check French embassy. If you will spend the same amount of days in some Schengen countries, then you will have to apply at the embassy of the country where you will be landing first. 

Secondly, you will have to fill the French Schengen Visa application from here. Put on paper correct information, prepare your French visa photo, for example in an online app here, print application twice and sign them.

Next, you will have to book a visa appointment in French embassy. In 99% you will be able to schedule the appointment online. Unless you go to the meeting, you will have to start the process again.

On the day of the meeting, make sure you will be on time. If you are late, your meeting probably will be cancelled. It is a good idea to wear something a bit official. Interview takes around 15 minutes. During the meeting, the consular officer will be asking about your trip. Stay calm and be honest. After that, you will have to wait a bit for printed confirmation with a decision. Make sure all the details are correct and sign papers. 

If all steps before have been positive, the final step is paying fees for the visa. In most cases you will have to prepare around 90 dollars. For your children french visa, you will pay around half of that.

Can I work on French visa?

Remember, that you can not work on a short-stay visa. If you would like to work in France, you need to find a job first. After that the employer prepares your work contract, which is required for the visa application.   

To start working under a French Schengen Visa, you have to get a France Temporary Work Permit. It is important that there are only a few categories, when you can try to get that:

  • sport, cultural, artistic and scientific events;
  • seminars and trade shows;
  • artist or technical staff of audio/video productions;
  • modelling and artistic pose;
  • auditing and expertise missions in IT, management, finance, insurance, architecture  and engineering as a contracted employee.

Can my French Schengen Visa be revoked?

A French Schengen Visa can be revoked, when you start work without permission, being involved in actions considered of danger to the public order or trying to settle in France. 

What if I have to stay in France for longer than 90 days?

 

Of course there is a possibility that you have to stay longer than 90 days. It is a moment when you have to apply for a French Long Stay Visa. There are some reasons you can try to get it: 

  • reunite with your family;
  • enroll in academic studies (possibilities for students under 18 only if parents do not reside in France; for students over 18, when student will have been accepted by higher education institution in France; France Aur Pair Visa from 17 to 30 years old)
  • get a paid job (categories: creating and running business, professional and independent workers, sport, volunteer);
  • work in a highly skilled profession (researcher, business founder, innovative economic project, economic investor, legal company representative, artists and performers can apply for a Passport Talented Card); 

work as an exchange student (working holidays visa is created for nationals of Australia, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Mexico, Russia, Taiwan, Uruguay.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

What is the photo size for a Schengen visa?

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The dimensions of the french visa image are 45 mm in height and 35 mm in width. Any other sizes will be rejected.

Is a photo required for French visa?

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Yes. Without an appropriate photo your application will be rejected.

Can I smile in my French visa photo?

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No, you can not smile in your french visa picture. Your face must be neutral. Photos with any expressions will be rejected.

There is no possibility to accept a visa photo to France with any hat, cap or other covering of your head. Photo will be confirmed only if it is caused by medical or religious reasons.

No you do not have to take off your glasses. Make sure your eyes are visible and there is no shine effect. Additionally you'd better avoid heavy frames and wear lighter. Any images with sunglasses which cover your eyes will be rejected.

The specifications are very clear, the picture can not be taken more than 6 months ago.

Of course, you can. If you have a camera in your phone, somebody can take a picture. After that you may use an online photo maker for a visa, which adjusts your image to the requirements. This online app automatically prepares and verifies your photo. Due to the online app, you have 100% of sure that your French visa picture will be accepted.

You do not have to take it professionally. Using your smartphone or digital camera and a visa photo maker is faster, cheaper and more comfortable.

Yes, you can wear your jewelry like earrings or a necklace. Make sure it is not too big and does not cover any part of your face.

Yes, of course. You are allowed to wear makeup.

One of the possibilities is looking for a photograph studio or photo booth in your area. It is easier to use your smartphone or digital camera to take a picture. Next you can use an online app to adjust and prepare your photo. Due to the online app, you have 100% of sure that your French visa picture will be accepted.

There is no requirement to wear special clothes for French visa picture. It is important to not cover your head and your eyes. It is worth it to wear some dark clothes, to have a good contrast with a light background.

In French visa photos there is a requirement that the photo must be taken on a light-coloured background and with uniform lighting, so there is a very good idea to wear something darker. Due to this decision, you will not blend with the background.