May 29, 2026 · Schengen
Schengen Visa Photo Requirements 2026 – Complete Guide
A single photo standard covers all 27 Schengen member states: ICAO Doc 9303, 35×45mm, white or off-white background. This guide explains the exact specifications, how submission works at VFS Global, BLS, and TLS contact centres, when digital photos are accepted, and what catches applicants out at the counter.
Quick Reference – Schengen Visa Photo
- Size: 35mm wide × 45mm tall
- Head height: 32–36mm (approx. 70–80% of the frame)
- Background: Plain white or off-white, no shadows, no patterns
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, facing camera directly
- Glasses: Not permitted (ICAO standard)
- Recency: Taken within the last 6 months
- Quantity: Usually 2 identical printed photos per application
- Applies to: Type C short-stay and Type D long-stay national visa
One Standard for All 27 Schengen Countries
The Schengen Area photo requirement is rooted in ICAO Doc 9303 — the international civil aviation standard that governs biometric travel documents worldwide. All 27 Schengen member states have adopted this framework for visa applications, which means the specifications below apply whether you are applying to visit France, Germany, Sweden, or any other Schengen country.
Individual consulates and visa application centres may state slightly different wording on their websites — “off-white” vs. “white”, for example — but a photo that meets the ICAO standard is accepted across the entire area. When in doubt, check the specific website of the consulate or visa application centre you are submitting to, as minor emphasis differences (number of photos required, exactly how fresh the photo must be) can vary.
The 27 Schengen Member States
All 27 countries apply the same ICAO-based 35×45mm photo standard for Schengen visa applications.
Detailed Photo Specifications
- Dimensions: Exactly 35mm wide × 45mm tall.
- Head height and position: The head (chin to crown) must measure 32–36mm within the 45mm frame. The face must be centred horizontally. Eyes should appear at approximately mid-height in the photo. The head must be upright — no tilt, rotation, or turning to the side.
- Background: Plain white or off-white. Uniform with no patterns, textures, or objects. No shadows behind the head or on the shoulders.
- Expression: Neutral. Mouth closed. Both eyes fully open and looking directly at the camera. Squinting is not acceptable.
- Lighting: Even, natural-looking lighting across the face. No strong shadows on one side. No red-eye effect.
- Glasses: Not permitted. Prescription frames, tinted glasses, and sunglasses are all excluded. Transparent (clear) contact lenses are permitted; coloured contact lenses are not.
- Colour: Full colour only. Black-and-white photos are not accepted.
- Recency: Taken within the last 6 months of the application date.
- Head coverings: Permitted only for documented religious or medical reasons. The full face from chin to forehead and ear to ear must be completely visible.
- Print quality: Printed on glossy or semi-glossy photo paper at 300 DPI minimum. Plain-paper inkjet prints are generally not accepted.
US, UK, and Canadian Citizens Applying for a Schengen Visa
US, UK, and Canadian passport holders who need a Schengen visa (for example, because they have already used their 90-day visa-free allowance, or hold dual citizenship with a nationality that requires a visa) must submit the same 35×45mm ICAO photo. This is different from the 2×2 inch (51×51mm) format used for US passports, and from standard UK passport photos. When applying for a Schengen visa, the Schengen photo standard applies — regardless of the applicant's home country.
Submitting via VFS Global, BLS, and TLS Contact
Most Schengen visa applications are processed through authorised Visa Application Centres (VACs) rather than directly at embassies. The major VAC operators are:
- VFS Global — operates VACs for numerous Schengen countries worldwide.
- BLS International — handles applications for several Schengen member states in specific regions.
- TLScontact — primarily used for French Schengen visa applications.
All three accept printed ICAO-compliant 35×45mm photos. Some VAC locations also offer on-site biometric photo capture as part of the enrolment process — but this does not replace the requirement to bring a printed photo for the application form. Always confirm the exact requirements with your specific VAC or consulate when booking your appointment.
Digital vs. Physical Photo Submission
Whether a digital photo can be submitted alongside or instead of a printed photo varies by consulate and VAC. Some Schengen consulates now accept digital photo uploads via their online visa application portals, while others require a physical printed photo at the appointment.
If a digital photo is accepted, it must meet the same ICAO specifications as a printed photo — 35×45mm proportions, correct head height, white or off-white background, neutral expression, no glasses, taken within 6 months. For digital submissions, the minimum resolution is typically 600×600 pixels with the face centred and correctly framed.
Always check the specific consulate or VAC instructions for your application. Do not assume digital submission is available — arriving without a printed photo when one is required will result in your appointment being rescheduled.
Long-Stay Visa (Type D) and Family Reunification
The long-stay national visa (Type D) is issued by individual Schengen member states for stays exceeding 90 days — typically for employment, study, or family purposes. Although the Type D visa is a national document (not a Schengen-wide document like the Type C short-stay visa), it uses the same 35×45mm ICAO photo requirement.
Family reunification visas follow the same photo standard. Spouses, children, or other dependants applying to join a family member already residing in a Schengen country must provide a 35×45mm ICAO-compliant photo for each applicant, including children. For young children and infants, the same photo specifications apply — the face must be clearly visible, centred, and without other individuals visible in the frame.
Common Rejection Reasons at Consulates
Glasses present
Remove all glasses. Transparent contact lenses are acceptable; coloured contact lenses are not.
Background not plain white or off-white
Use a uniformly white or off-white background with even, shadow-free lighting. Avoid grey tones, gradients, or coloured backgrounds.
Photo older than 6 months
Always use a freshly taken photo. Consulates check photo freshness against the application submission date.
Head too small or too large in the frame
The head must occupy 32–36mm of the 45mm height. Photos from smartphone selfies are frequently rejected for incorrect head framing.
Expression not neutral (smiling or frowning)
Relax into a neutral expression with mouth closed and eyes fully open.
Head tilted, turned, or not facing camera squarely
Face the camera directly. Even a small tilt can cause automated or manual rejection.
Low print quality (blurry, pixelated, or printed on plain paper)
Print at 300 DPI on glossy or semi-glossy photo paper. Plain-paper inkjet prints are generally not accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size photo is required for a Schengen visa?
The required size is 35mm wide × 45mm tall, following ICAO Doc 9303. The head (chin to crown) must occupy 32–36mm of the 45mm height.
What background colour is required for a Schengen visa photo?
The background must be plain white or off-white. A uniform light grey is also generally accepted. No patterns, textures, shadows, or coloured backgrounds are permitted.
Can I wear glasses in a Schengen visa photo?
No. The ICAO standard applied across all Schengen countries prohibits glasses in visa photos. Transparent (non-tinted) contact lenses are permitted; coloured contact lenses are not.
Do US, UK, or Canadian citizens also need a 35×45mm photo for a Schengen visa?
Yes. When US, UK, or Canadian nationals apply for a Schengen visa, the same 35×45mm ICAO standard applies — regardless of their home country's own passport photo format.
Does the long-stay national visa (Type D) use the same photo?
Yes. The long-stay national visa (Type D) — for stays exceeding 90 days for work, study, or family reunification — uses the same 35×45mm ICAO photo requirement as the short-stay Type C Schengen visa.
How old can my photo be when I submit a Schengen visa application?
The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months of the application date. A photo from a previous visa application — even if you appear unchanged — may be rejected if it cannot be verified as recent.
Ordering Your Schengen Visa Photo from ID Wizard
What does an ID Wizard Schengen visa photo cost, and is it a subscription?
It is a one-off payment with no subscription and no account registration. A single print-ready photo is EUR 4.99 (or CHF 4.99), the print bundle with a 4×6 inch sheet is EUR 6.99, three photos of the same person are EUR 7.99, and a 10-photo family package is EUR 14.99. A conditional 30-day money-back guarantee covers technical defects in the delivered format.
Most visa centres want two identical prints. Does ID Wizard cover that?
Yes. The print bundle at EUR 6.99 delivers a 4×6 inch sheet with 4 identical copies at 300 DPI, which covers the two prints a visa application centre typically asks for and leaves two spare. The sheet can be printed at any photo lab or self-service kiosk on glossy or semi-glossy paper, which is what consulates expect.
Does the file work for a long-stay Type D visa and for family reunification applications?
Yes. Type D national visas and family reunification applications use the same 35×45mm ICAO Doc 9303 photo requirement as the short-stay Type C Schengen visa, and ID Wizard produces exactly that format at 300 DPI. Each applicant, including each child, needs their own photo, which is what the multi-photo packages are intended for.
Can ID Wizard produce both a Schengen 35×45mm photo and a US 51×51mm photo?
Yes. The format is chosen per order, so a 35×45mm Schengen photo and a 2×2 inch (51×51mm) US photo are separate orders from the same upload session, each rendered at 300 DPI to the head-height rules of the respective standard. This matters for applicants who hold a US passport and still need a Schengen visa.
Is an ID Wizard photo guaranteed to be accepted at a VFS Global or TLScontact appointment?
No provider can guarantee that, and ID Wizard does not claim to. Photo rules are set by the issuing Schengen state and the decision is made by consular staff. What ID Wizard guarantees is the technical output: ISO 19794-5 and ICAO Doc 9303 at 35×45mm and 300 DPI. If a photo is rejected because of a technical defect attributable to the delivered format, the full purchase price is refunded within 30 days against proof of rejection. Rejections based on personal appearance, or defects already visible in the free preview, are excluded.
Which documents can ID Wizard not be used for?
The German passport, German national ID card and the electronic residence permit (eAT) have required the PointID procedure since 1 May 2025, meaning the photo must be captured at an official terminal or by a certified studio and transmitted encrypted. Self-supplied photos are not accepted for those three documents. Schengen visas, driving licences and most non-German documents are unaffected.
Full guarantee conditions are set out in § 8 of the Terms. Overview of all formats on the passport photo page; sibling guide: Schengen photo rules and common mistakes.
Always verify current requirements with the consulate or Visa Application Centre you are submitting to. Requirements may be updated without notice.
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