Schengen Visa Photo Specifications & Size Requirements 2026
Get the exact official specifications for Schengen Visa photos (35x45 mm, light background, 70-80% face coverage) and how to crop/resize online.
Applying for a Schengen Visa requires submitting two biometric photographs that adhere to strict European Union guidelines. Even minor discrepancies in head size, lighting, or background color can cause embassy officials to reject your application, causing costly delays. Here is the complete official checklist for Schengen visa photo requirements.
Schengen Visa Photo Specs at a Glance
| Parameter | Schengen Biometric Specification |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 35 mm width x 45 mm height (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm) |
| File Size (KB) | Up to 300 KB (for online uploads) |
| Dimensions in Pixels | 413 x 531 pixels (at 300 DPI resolution) |
| Background | Plain light-grey or light-blue background (no patterns) |
| Face Coverage | 70% to 80% (head height must be between 32 mm and 36 mm) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Official Biometric Photograph Guidelines
Your visa photo must satisfy these strict biometric criteria:
- Head Alignment: Keep your head completely straight. Tilting your head or looking sideways is unacceptable. Look straight into the camera lens.
- Eyes and Expression: Maintain a neutral expression with your mouth fully closed. Smiling, grinning, or frowning will invalidate the biometric scan. Your eyes must be fully open and visible.
- Glasses: Do not wear sunglasses or glasses with thick or colored frames. Glare on the lenses must be completely avoided. Eyes must not be obstructed.
- Headcoverings: Head coverings (hijab, kippah, turban) are allowed only for religious purposes and must not cover any part of the face from forehead to chin.
How to Crop and Resize Your Schengen Visa Photo Online
Preparing your visa photo according to the exact EU embassy guidelines is easy:
- Stand 3-4 feet away from a light-grey wall in a brightly lit room. Ensure there are no shadows on the wall behind you.
- Have someone take a high-resolution portrait photo of you from chest-level up (no selfies).
- Upload your photo to our Schengen Visa Photo Resizer.
- Our tool automatically trims the borders to 35x45 mm, ensures the head size covers 70-80% of the page, adjusts brightness, and outputs a ready-to-upload JPEG file.
Schengen Visa Photo: FAQs
Q1. Can I smile in a Schengen visa photo?
No, smiles are strictly prohibited. You must maintain a neutral expression with a closed mouth. Smiling alters facial features, which disrupts biometric mapping.
Q2. Is a white background acceptable for Schengen Visa photos?
While some consulates accept white backgrounds, the official Schengen guidelines recommend a light-grey, light-blue, or cream background to prevent face boundary washout.
Q3. What is the photo size in inches?
The Schengen visa photo measures approximately 1.38 inches in width by 1.77 inches in height (35x45 mm).
Q4. Can I wear glasses in the photo?
Only prescription glasses are allowed, provided they have thin frames, do not cover the eyes, and have no reflection on the glass. Sunglasses and tinted glasses are rejected.