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Schengen area · Visa Photo

Make a Schengen area visa photo online - 35 x 45 mm

Make a Schengen area visa photo online with the verified 35 x 45 mm preset, light grey background guidance, official-source requirements, a free preview, and the paid HD photo plus printable 4x6 sheet when the result is ready.

Schengen area Visa Photo size: 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches). Source checked: European Commission / ICAO photo standards, 2026-04-30.
Make Schengen area visa photoBrowse countries
Before passport photo preparation: portrait with an indoor background
After passport photo preparation: printable 4x6 sheet on a white background
Photo size35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
Head size70-80% of photo height
Digital requirementsUse the standalone HD JPEG for online upload when the authority asks for one photo file. Do not upload the printable sheet when a portal asks for a single photo.
Print requirementsPrint the photo at exactly 35 x 45 mm on photo paper when a printed photo is required. Use 100% / actual size and never fit the image to the page. The printable sheet includes cut guides for individual photos.
Official sourceEuropean Commission / ICAO photo standards
Last reviewed2026-04-30

Intent coverage

Covers Schengen area visa photo size, requirements and online maker intent

Use this canonical guide for Schengen area visa photo requirements, Schengen area visa photo size, and upload-to-download workflows. It connects the official-source rule set to the editor preset for 35 x 45 mm, light grey background guidance, free preview, HD download, and printable 4x6 output.

  • Requirement intent: 35 x 45 mm, light grey background, head-position checks, official source, and review date.
  • Creation intent: upload your own photo, crop with the face guide, prepare the required background, then preview before checkout.
  • Output intent: HD photo + printable 4x6 sheet, with the standalone file for portals and the sheet for printing.
Visa Photos online maker35 x 45 mm photo size guideUpload photo for Schengen area visa photo

Step-by-step instructions

  1. 1.Choose Schengen area and Visa Photo in the editor.
  2. 2.Upload a clear recent photo taken against a plain wall in even light.
  3. 3.Fit the face guide, validate the crop, and set the required background.
  4. 4.Preview for free, then 1.99$ HD download + 4x6 sheets

Schengen visa scope

Use this guide for Schengen visa photo preparation

This page is for the Schengen visa application intent. It is separate from national passport pages because a consular visa appointment can use different instructions from a passport authority.

  • Core preset: 35 x 45 mm, ICAO-style framing, light grey or off-white background.
  • Check the consulate or visa center for your main destination when the appointment asks for printed copies.
  • Use a national passport page only when the document is that country's passport or ID.

How to take the source photo

  • Take the source photo with even front light and no shadow behind the head.
  • Face the camera directly with eyes open, a neutral expression, and a closed mouth.
  • Frame head and shoulders so the face can be cropped to the verified head-size range.
  • If glasses are allowed, lenses must be clear, untinted, and glare-free.
  • No casual hats or caps; any permitted covering must leave the full face visible with no shadows.

Common rejection reasons

  • Smiling, frowning, closing eyes, or opening the mouth.
  • Hair covering the eyes or face outline.
  • Necklaces, chains, or shiny jewelry covering the neck/face or reflecting light.
  • Shadows on the face or behind the head.
  • Heavy filters, beauty effects, or retouching.
  • Glasses with glare, tint, thick frames, or lenses covering the eyes.
  • A casual hat/cap or permitted head covering casting shadows or hiding facial edges.

Digital upload

  • Use the standalone HD JPEG for online upload when the authority asks for one photo file.
  • Do not upload the printable sheet when a portal asks for a single photo.

Printing

  • Print the photo at exactly 35 x 45 mm on photo paper when a printed photo is required.
  • Use 100% / actual size and never fit the image to the page.
  • The printable sheet includes cut guides for individual photos.

Official source

Official source: Schengen area Visa Photo

European Commission / ICAO photo standards. Open official requirements: Schengen area Visa Photo (https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/5bb16566-c8c2-4afb-b038-530f488cb72a_en?filename=icao_photograph_guidelines_en.pdf). Last reviewed: 2026-04-30.

Cropping, resizing, validation, preview, and export run in your browser. Background processing runs only when you choose the background step.

FAQ

Is my photo public?

Cropping, resizing, validation, preview, and export run in your browser. Background processing runs only when you choose the background step.

Can I print on a 4x6 sheet?

Yes. The editor includes a printable sheet, but submit the standalone Schengen area Visa Photo file when an online portal asks for one photo.