Schengen Visa Photo Requirements: Size & Specifications 2023

To avoid getting your Schengen visa rejected, ensure that your passport photo matches the required specifications accurately. First, you must make sure that the photo is of high quality.

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  Schengen visa photo size 2023: 35mm (width) x 45mm (height).

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  Face should occupy 70-80% of the photo.

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  Full facial visibility required, from chin to top of head.

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  Both the left and right sides of the face must be visible.

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  Vertical face visibility: 32-36mm.

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  Face width between 27mm and 40mm to avoid rejection.

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  Centered face in the photo.

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  Entire head, including hair, must be visible.

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  Photo must be clear and not reduce facial size.

The lighting in the photo should be such that the applicant's face and eyes are clearly visible and sharply in focus. A blurry, too-bright, or poor-contrast photograph can get rejected.

The photo should be uniformly bright, with no dark or bright patches and no shadows should be visible. Make sure that there is no reflection and that the applicant's eyes do not appear red in the photo.

The photos must have a plain background with no visible objects and no patterns of any kind. The background should be bright, and of one color, preferably off-white or grey, and no shadows should be visible in the background.

The photo background can be in a contrasting color to the face and hair of the applicant. For instance, for light-colored hair, a medium-grey background is suitable, while a light-grey background is suitable for dark hair.

The photos must be of high quality with a minimum of 600 dpi. The natural skin tone of the applicant, as well as the photo, should have a proper color balance. The submitted Schengen visa photo should not have marks, stains, or creases.

The applicant should be looking straight into the camera's lens, and the head of the applicant should be in the center of the photo. The applicant should not tilt or turn their head while getting photographed. The applicant's eyes should be clearly visible in the photo, without hair or eyeglass frames covering them.

The person getting photographed must have their mouth closed; however, you can smile slightly in the picture.

High-Quality Schengen Visa Photo Guidelines:

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  Resolution: Minimum 600 dpi, Maximum 1200 dpi

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  Use a digital camera for optimal resolution

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  Print on high-quality photo paper

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  Schengen visa photo size: Width 35mm, Height 45mm

Please check out our Schengen Visa guide for more information related to the Schengen Visa.

As mentioned earlier, the Schengen photo requirements are relaxed for children under this age. For example, unlike adults, children do not have to keep a neutral expression or look directly at the camera. In addition, their heads do not have to be centered in the photo.

Though looking directly at the camera is not required, the color of their eyes should be visible in the photo.

Newborns and babies under 6 months can be photographed lying down or on a baby chair. There should be or background of one color a plain white sheet when taking a picture of the baby lying down or on a baby chair. However, ensure that no accessories used to support the baby are visible in any photographs, such as hands, toys, or baby chair.

It is not stipulated in the requirements that babies must look straight at the camera, and it is no problem if the baby's eyes are closed. It is also okay if the baby's mouth is opened in the picture.

The rest of the requirements, such as the format, distance, brightness, and background, also apply to all children's pictures. If the face measures less than 17mm or more than 40mm the photo would be rejected.

Unfortunately, you CAN NOT have a black and white Schengen visa passport photo. The photos must be in color.

The Schengen visa picture size must have a width of 35 mm and a height of 45 mm.

You must submit TWO photos of yourself for identification purposes. Additionally, the Schengen visa photo size, format, and perspective must be specific as mentioned in the blog.

All the requirements mentioned in this blog regarding Schengen photos relate to both passport and visa applications.

Currently, the Schengen Area consists of 27 member countries, including four that are not members of the European Union (EU). The Schengen member state countries are Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The European countries that are not part of the Schengen zone are Albania, Andora, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, The United Kingdom, and Vatican City.

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  Visa application form

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  Two recently taken photos

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  A valid passport with at least two blank pages

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  Round trip reservation or itinerary, including dates for entry and exit from the Schengen area

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  Travel insurance policy with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros for medical emergencies, illnesses, accidents, and even repatriation in case of death

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  Proof of accommodation such as a hotel/hostel booking, a rental agreement, or a letter of invitation from a host (if not a citizen, a copy of residence permit is needed)

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  Proof of financial means such as bank account statement no older than 3 months.

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  Sponsorship letter

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  Proof of paid visa fee

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  Cover letter

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  Letter of Employment

You might be required to submit several additional documents depending on the type of Schengen visa you applied for. Check out the detailed blog on the documents required for a Schengen visa.

Normally, the visa takes about 15 - 60 days to be processed after your visa submission after the visa appointment. You can learn more about the entire processing time including the waiting for visa appointments etc.

The European Union is soon going to introduce ETIAS or European Travel Information and Authorization System which might change the current entry process for visa-free countries. Make sure to check out our blog on it for more information.

The Schengen Visa photo size in inches is approximately 1.38 inches in width and 1.77 inches in height, which is equivalent to 35mm x 45mm.

The France visa photo requirements typically include a size of 35mm x 45mm, clear facial visibility, a neutral facial expression, a plain light-colored background, and a high-quality resolution. It's essential to ensure that your photo meets these requirements to avoid any issues with your French visa application.

The photo required for a Schengen visa should be in color, measuring 35 mm by 45 mm in size. The head should occupy 70-80% of the photo, and it must have a minimum resolution of 400 dpi. Black and white photos are not accepted.

Yes, US passport photos are generally accepted at Schengen consulates in the US, even if they are a different size. It is recommended to check with the specific consulate for any additional requirements. Using US passport photos can save you time and money when applying for a Schengen visa.

The photo specifications for VFS visa include a color photograph that is 2 inches x 2 inches (51mm x 51mm) in size. The photo must be clear, with a continuous-tone quality, and show a full face, front-view, with eyes open. It should capture the full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin. These specifications ensure compliance with VFS visa requirements.

To take Schengen photos, ensure the images are high-quality and printed on photo-quality paper. Avoid frames obstructing your eyes, but religious reasons may allow certain facial feature coverings. However, ensure that your face is clearly visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, including both edges of the face.

The standard European passport photo size is 35mm x 45mm (approximately 1.38 inches x 1.77 inches). This size is common for passport and visa photos across many European countries, including those in the Schengen Area, ensuring uniformity and compliance with international travel document standards.