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Official Requirements

Schengen Visa Photo Specifications

The ICAO standard used by all 27 Schengen Area member states. Our Software checks every requirement automatically.

35mm x 45mm

Photo must be exactly 35mm wide by 45mm high. Our Software crops with pixel-perfect precision for every Schengen embassy.

Face: 32mm–36mm

Head height from chin to crown must be 32–36mm. Face must occupy 70–80% of the photo. Our Software positions your head perfectly.

background

White/Light Grey Background

Plain white or light grey with no shadows, patterns, or textures. Our Software removes any background and applies the correct tone.

not-allowed

No Glasses

Glasses are prohibited. Remove them before taking your photo to avoid rejection at any Schengen embassy.

Neutral Expression

Mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible. No smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows. Look straight at the camera.

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Taken Within 6 Months

Must reflect your current appearance. If you've significantly changed your look, take a new photo.

How It Works

Get Your Schengen Visa Photo in 3 Easy Steps

The fastest way to get an embassy-compliant Schengen visa photo — entirely from home.

Select Your Country

Choose the Schengen country you're applying to — France, Germany, Italy, Spain, or any of the 27 member states.

Upload & Software Verifies

Upload any recent photo. Our Software removes the background, crops to 35x45mm, positions your head correctly, and checks all embassy rules.

Download or Print

Download your digital visa photo instantly, or order professional prints delivered for your embassy appointment.

Make your photo

Upload Your Photo

💡 Pro Tip (Maximize Acceptance): Authorities can reject photos for minor issues. We highly recommend preparing up to 3 slightly different variations (e.g., one with a slight smile, one completely neutral). You pay once for all!
📐 Photo Requirements:
  • Face clearly visible and centered
  • Neutral expression, mouth closed (or very slight smile)
  • Good lighting, no shadows on the face

Remove Background and Adjust Your Photo

🞎 ✂ Align & Crop: Drag the image to center your face. Use the vertical orange line to align your nose. Zoom so your head fits between the guidelines. When ready, click "Save this Variation".

Example

Example
🔍︎ Zoom:
1.20x

Preview Your Variations

🗋 After payment you will receive 4 formats for EACH variation:
✓ Digital 300 DPI (Web) • 600 DPI (High Quality Print)
✓ Printable 4x6" Sheet 300 & 600 DPI (6 photos with cut lines)
Why Visa ID

The Smarter Way to Get a Schengen Visa Photo

Join millions who trust Visa ID for their Schengen visa applications — guaranteed accepted at any embassy.

Software Embassy Verification

Our Software checks 20+ ICAO rules, including the exact 35x45mm dimensions, face size, background colour, and country-specific tolerances.

Expert Human Review

Every photo is double-checked by a trained compliance expert who knows each Schengen embassy's specific requirements.

100% Acceptance Guarantee

If any Schengen embassy rejects your photo for a technical reason, we remake it free or refund you fully. No exceptions.

All 27 Schengen States

France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, and 19 more. One format, every embassy.

Instant Digital Download

Get a perfect digital file formatted for online visa application portals. Ready to upload immediately.

Cheaper Than a Photo Booth

Skip the expensive photo booth or pharmacy. Get a superior, guaranteed photo starting from just $4.99.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schengen Visa Photo FAQ

What are the Schengen visa photo requirements?
Schengen visa photos must be 35mm wide by 45mm high. The face must measure between 32mm and 36mm from chin to crown. The background must be plain white or light grey. No glasses allowed. Neutral expression with mouth closed and eyes open. Photo must be taken within the last 6 months.
Is the Schengen visa photo size the same for all countries?
All 27 Schengen Area member states require the same 35x45mm photo size following ICAO standards. This applies whether you're applying at the French, German, Italian, Spanish, or any other Schengen embassy. One compliant photo works for all Schengen visa applications.

Schengen Visa Photo Guide & Resources

Get a 35x45mm Schengen Visa Photo for Any Embassy

Searching for " Schengen visa photo near me " or " 35x45mm visa photo "? With Visa ID, you can create a perfect, embassy-compliant Schengen visa photo entirely online. No need to find a photo booth, queue up, or worry about whether your photo meets the strict requirements of the French, German, Italian, or Spanish embassy.

Whether you're applying for a tourist visa , business visa , or student visa to any of the 27 Schengen countries, our Software creates a perfectly sized digital or printed photo that meets every ICAO specification.

Common Schengen Visa Photo Searches

  • Schengen visa photo online: The modern way to get your embassy photo.
  • 35x45mm photo maker: Auto-cropped to exact Schengen dimensions.
  • France visa photo / Germany visa photo: Country-specific but same 35x45mm format.
  • Schengen visa photo near me: Skip the search — get yours from home.
  • European visa photo: All Schengen requirements covered.

Official Schengen Visa Photo Requirements Checklist

A rejected photo is the most common reason for Schengen visa delays. Embassy requirements are strict and uniform across all 27 member states. Our Software checks all of these automatically:

  • Dimensions: Exactly 35mm wide x 45mm high.
  • Face Size: Chin to crown must be 32mm to 36mm (70-80% of photo height).
  • Background: Plain white or light grey. No shadows, patterns, or textures.
  • Glasses: Not permitted. Remove before taking your photo.
  • Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible.
  • Recency: Taken within the last 6 months.
  • Face Coverings: Nothing covering the face. Head coverings only for religious reasons.
  • Lighting: Even, no shadows on face or background.

Which Countries Are in the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area comprises 27 European countries that have abolished passport and border controls at their mutual borders. A single Schengen visa allows travel to all of them. The member states are:

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

All use the same 35x45mm ICAO photo standard, making Visa ID the perfect solution regardless of which embassy you're applying through.

Why Use Visa ID Instead of a Photo Booth for Your Schengen Visa?

Photo booths across Europe and elsewhere can take a 35x45mm photo, but they do not verify compliance with the specific requirements of each Schengen embassy. If your head is the wrong size, the lighting is off, or the background isn't the right shade, your visa application could be delayed or rejected.

Visa ID is different. Our Software and human experts verify your photo against every single ICAO and embassy requirement. If we spot a problem, we flag it before you submit. And if our photo is rejected, we offer a full refund. No photo booth in the world can promise that.

Visa ID vs. Photo Booth

  • Cheaper: Digital photos from $4.99 vs €8-€12 in a booth.
  • Faster: Ready in 3 minutes vs travelling and queuing.
  • Guaranteed: Money-back acceptance guarantee.
  • All 27 countries: One service, every Schengen embassy.

Ready to Create Your Photo?

100% acceptance guarantee on every photo. Upload, App verify, download in 3 minutes.