Schengen Visa Photo Online
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Use a photo you already have or take a new one. We'll double-check it and make sure it passes all compliance tests.
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Key benefits of using our passport photo tool
Get comfy at home, grab your phone, and snap a few pictures. End up with a result you’re 100% satisfied with!
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Once you place your order, our AI and human expert will verify your photo to ensure it's 100% compliant.
Passport photo-taking tips
Follow these guidelines to create the perfect passport picture.
Consider the distance
Keep your front-facing camera 16–20 inch (40–50 cm) away from the face. For rear cameras, keep a 4–6 foot (1–2 meter) distance.
Keep your head and body straight
Look directly into the camera and avoid tilting your body. Remember, portrait mode is unacceptable for passport photos.
Prepare good lighting
Take your passport photos in a daylight setting, like near a window on a sunny day. Shadows on your face or in the background are not permitted.
Schengen visa photos—technical details
Size
35x45 mm
Resolution
600 dpi
Is it suitable for online submission?
Yes
Is it printable?
Yes
Background Color
Off White
Image definition parameters
Head height: 34 mm
Top of the Photo to Top of the Hair: 3 mm
Vule is a seasoned editor with a rich background in writing and editing, specializing in content related to passport photography. His skill lies in transforming complex information into clear, engaging narratives, making intricate topics accessible and relatable to a broad audience. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Vule ensures that every piece of content is not only factually accurate but also captivating and informative.
Your Ultimate Guide to Schengen Visa Photos
If you're from any of the 106 countries that require a European visa to explore the Schengen countries, you've come to the right place. Read on to learn about detailed requirements (e.g., size specifications) and other finer points your photos must meet to get accepted.
Schengen visa photo guidelines
Just as with any other travel paperwork, your Schengen visa application photo needs to adhere to strict rules set by European Union authorities. Don't gamble on the possibility of your application being turned down. Ensure you're clued up on these essential requirements before you snap that photo.
Here at PhotoAiD®, we’ve created this comprehensive guide that will help you understand all you need to know about a photo that meets all the official criteria—and have to take your own photo for a Schengen visa!
Unpacking Schengen visa photo guidelines
- Color: Must be in color, reflecting your natural skin tones
- Recency: The photo should have been taken within the past six months and reflect your current looks
- Image clarity: The applicant’s face must be sharp and clear, without pixelation, or shadows and with uniform lighting
- Filters: Any type of social media filter is unacceptable
- Background: Choose a plain, light-colored background. It’s recommended to opt for gray
- Dimensions: The photo should measure 35x45 mm (3.5x4.5 cm or 1.38x1.78 inch), with the head filling 70–80% of the whole image
- Print Quality: The photo must be printed on high-quality matte or glossy photo paper
- Resolution: The minimum resolution should be 300 DPI
- Digital Alterations: Strictly prohibited
Important: Currently, it’s impossible to apply for your Schengen visa online, but the European Commission is planning to introduce such a possibility in the future. As for now, you’ll need 2 identical photos printed on high-quality paper.
The finer details of photos for a Schengen visa
Your Schengen visa photo may be rejected not only if it’s the wrong size but also if it fails to meet more specific guidelines mandated by the European authorities. Learn more about these additional requirements below.
| Attribute | Description |
| Smile | Don’t smile, frown, or grin. Keep a neutral facial expression |
| Eyes | Eyes should be fully open |
| Glasses | Only thin-framed, clear glasses with non-reflective lenses are acceptable. The frames should not obscure the eyes in any way |
| Headgear | No headwear is permitted unless for religious reasons, and it must not block any part of the face |
| Clothing | Avoid uniforms and colors blending with the background. Plain dark-colored clothes are recommended |
| Facial hair | Allowed if worn on a daily basis |
| Head position | Keep your head centered and look straight at the camera. Only a profile mode is allowed |
| Hair | Your whole face (including eyebrows) must be clearly visible. It’s best to tuck your hair behind the ears and tie longer bangs with hairpins |
Important: Using passport-size photos for your visa application isn’t recommended as they may not meet all Schengen-specific requirements.
Schengen visa photo—size specifications
Securing compliant Schengen visa photos in the required size (35x45 mm or 1.38x1.78 inches) is crucial, given that most photo centers in the US only cater to photos for official documents used in America.
Moreover, you must take into consideration additional Schengen visa photo size requirements.
As you can see in the visual example above, a close-up of your head must fill 70–80% of the whole picture, and the length of your head (from the bottom of the chin to the top of your hair) must fit between 32–36 mm.
Also, a clear white space must be even on both sides of the image.
Digital providers of Schengen visa photos
To find a local spot where you can take your visa photos, it’s best to do a quick “Schengen visa photo near me” search.
But remember that Schengen visa photos may not be common in the country you’re in, and you won’t have a guarantee that your pictures meet the official guidelines.
Instead, leave it to mobile and online apps dedicated to photos for all types of official documents.
Not only do you save time and money, but you can rest assured your application won’t be rejected due to a non-compliant photo.
Have a look at the table we’ve created and compare the most important features of these popular photo booth apps.
| Tool | PhotoAiD® | PersoFoto | Pic4Pass | Passport Photo—ID Photo | Passport Photo & ID Maker |
| User-friendliness | 5/5 ⭐ | 3/5⭐ | 4/5⭐ | 3.5/5⭐ | 4/5⭐ |
Essential features (cropping, resizing, background removal) | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Compliance check | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Printing service | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Premium plan | $13.95 | $9.75 | ❌ | $6.99 | $6.99 |
Don’t risk delaying your visa application process by submitting unacceptable photos. With PhotoAiD®, you can leave your worries behind.
Sources:
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa_en
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy_en
Discover other documents we support
Frequently asked questions
To tick all the boxes for the Schengen visa photo requirements, your photo must be 35x45 mm in size and set against a light-colored background (e.g., gray). Check out our handy guide to get the full rundown of technical requirements and other specifications.
A passport photo might meet the Schengen visa photo guidelines, but it's not a guarantee. There could be differences in the technical aspects, like the size of your head in the photo or the background color, that could lead to your photo being turned down. Check our guide on Schengen visa photo requirements to see how they compare to your country’s passport photos.
CVS, Walmart, or Walgreens are popular outlets where Americans get photos for official documents, but it’s not a guarantee they’re familiar with Schengen visa photos. Alternatively, you can snap a photo for your travel document from home with PhotoAiD®—compliance guaranteed.
CVS is known for its passport photo and ID photo services, but their website lacks any information on whether they also take Schengen visa photos. You can find a CVS in your area with their store locator and confirm with them.
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