Schengen visa photo: size and requirements
Official size: 35–40 mm wide, ICAO passport-photo format. Make a compliant Schengen visa photo free in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Official Schengen visa photo requirements
- Photo size
- 35–40 mm wide, in ICAO passport-photo format (the tool uses 35 × 45 mm)
- Face size
- 70–80% of the photo, a close-up of the head and top of the shoulders
- Background
- Plain and light-coloured
- How recent
- No more than 6 months old
- Glasses
- Allowed if your eyes are clearly visible: no tinted lenses, no flash reflection, frames not covering the eyes
- Head coverings
- Only for religious reasons, with the face shown from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, looking directly at the camera
The same photo rules apply to all Schengen countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.
How to make your Schengen visa photo
- The tool above is already set to the Schengen visa size. Upload a clear, front-facing photo taken against a plain wall.
- Optionally remove or replace the background, then zoom and position your face inside the frame.
- Download it as a PNG for printing or a JPEG for online forms.
- Compare it with the official requirements below before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Schengen visa photo?
35–40 mm wide, in ICAO passport-photo format (the tool uses 35 × 45 mm). Head or face size: 70–80% of the photo, a close-up of the head and top of the shoulders.
What background does a Schengen visa photo need?
Plain and light-coloured.
Can I wear glasses in a Schengen visa photo?
Allowed if your eyes are clearly visible: no tinted lenses, no flash reflection, frames not covering the eyes.
How recent must a Schengen visa photo be?
No more than 6 months old.
Can I make a Schengen visa photo online for free?
Yes. Upload a clear, front-facing photo above: the tool crops it to the Schengen visa size and can replace the background, all in your browser, so the photo is never uploaded. Download it as a PNG for printing or a JPEG for online forms, and check the official requirements before you submit.
Other passport and visa photo guides
- Passport photo size chart — cm, inches and pixels by country
- US passport photo — 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm)
- UK passport photo — 45 × 35 mm (height × width)
- Canadian passport photo — 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2¾ inches)
- Australian passport photo — 35–40 mm wide × 45–50 mm high
- Indian passport photo — 4.5 × 3.5 cm (45 mm high × 35 mm wide)
- Pakistani passport photo — 45 × 35 mm (height × width)
- Nigerian passport photo — 600 × 800 pixels for the online application
- Bangladeshi e-passport photo — No photo needed for most applicants (taken at the passport office)
- Philippine passport photo — No photo needed (taken at the DFA consular office)
- US visa photo — 2 × 2 inches; digital 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 pixels
- Canada visitor visa photo — At least 35 × 45 mm
- Australian visa photo — 45 × 35 mm (height × width)
- Chinese visa photo — 33 × 48 mm
- UK visa photo — Digital, at least 600 × 750 pixels
- Indian e-Visa photo — Square JPEG, 10 KB to 1 MB
- Irish visa photo — 35–38 mm wide × 45–50 mm high