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Schengen Visa Photo 35x45 mm (ICAO)

A Schengen visa photo is 35x45 mm on a white background, with the face filling 70-80% of the picture and the head measuring 32-36 mm from chin to crown. It must be taken within the last 6 months.

  • 35×45 mm
  • White
  • Rules checked October 5, 2026
  1. Document
  2. Photo
  3. Check
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Make your Schengen Visa photo

35×45 mm · background: white

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  • Face the camera, keep your head straight and your mouth closed.
  • Stand about 1 m from a plain wall in soft, even light. No shadows on the face.
  • Ask someone else to take it from eye level. Shoulders should be visible.
  • Remove glasses, hats and hair from the face. Religious head coverings are allowed if the face is fully visible.
  • For a baby, lay them on a plain white sheet and photograph from straight above.

How to take a passport photo with your phone

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Fit your face inside the oval. Better: ask someone to take the photo with the back camera.

Schengen Visa photo requirements

Official rules summarised. Source: Consulate General of Italy (ICAO photo guidelines). Official page

Photo size
35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
Resolution
300 DPI
Head height (chin to crown)
32–36 mm
Background
White
Glasses
Allowed without glare or tinted lenses
Expression
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Head covering
Only for religious reasons, face fully visible
Printed copies
1
Submission
Printed photo

ICAO 35x45 mm, face 70-80% of the photo, taken within 6 months; no tinted lenses or heavy frames. Number of photos and accepted background shade vary by consulate/VFS centre.

Correct and incorrect examples

  • CorrectCentred, neutral, even light

  • Too closeHead fills the frame

  • Head tiltedKeep your head level

  • ShadowsLight from one side

  • GlassesReflections hide the eyes

  • SmilingMouth must be closed

  • Hair over the eyesEyes and eyebrows must be visible

  • Busy backgroundUse a plain, light wall

Schengen visa photo rules explained

The Schengen photo follows the ICAO guidelines, as shown by the Consulate General of Italy. The printed photo is 35x45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) at 300 DPI, and the head should measure 32-36 mm from chin to crown.

  • Face size: 70-80% of the photo.
  • Background: white. Some states also accept light grey.
  • Glasses: allowed with no glare, but not tinted lenses or heavy frames.
  • Head covering: religious reasons only, with the face fully visible.
  • Age of the photo: taken within the last 6 months.

Why the rules differ by consulate

The Schengen Area is a group of countries, so the details can change with the consulate or the VFS centre that receives your application. The number of photos and the accepted shade of background vary. White is the safest choice, and the photo is usually submitted as one printed copy, but check the instructions from the consulate you apply to.

How to take it at home with a phone

Stand facing a plain white wall in even light, away from the wall so your head does not cast a shadow on it. Ask someone to hold the phone at eye level. Look straight into the lens with a neutral expression, mouth closed and both eyes open.

Keep your hair off your face and remove tinted glasses. Leave some room around the head and shoulders, and let the tool set the final crop.

Processing

The photo is processed in your browser and never uploaded. It is cropped to 35x45 mm, the background is made white and the face share and head height are checked.

Common reasons for rejection

  • A face that fills less than 70-80% of the photo.
  • A background that is not white or a light grey accepted by the state.
  • Tinted lenses or heavy frames.
  • Glare on the glasses or shadows on the face.
  • A photo older than 6 months.
  • The wrong number of copies for that consulate or VFS centre.

Printing

This is a printed-photo submission. Print at 35x45 mm and 300 DPI on photo paper, using actual size, and check it with a ruler. Print extra copies if your consulate asks for more than one.

If an authority rejects the photo, you get a full refund.

Before your appointment

Read the instructions sent by the consulate or VFS centre, because they tell you how many photos to bring and which background they accept. Bring the print in a small envelope so that it does not bend or pick up marks. Do not staple, clip or write on the photo, and keep the date it was taken in mind, since a photo older than 6 months can be refused.

Helpful guides

All guides

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Schengen visa photo?

It is 35x45 mm, following the ICAO guidelines.

What background colour is required?

White is the safe choice. Some states also accept light grey.

How big should my face be?

The face should fill 70-80% of the photo, with the head 32-36 mm from chin to crown.

How many photos do I need?

One printed copy is listed, but the number varies by consulate or VFS centre.

How recent must the photo be?

It must be taken within the last 6 months.

Related photo requirements

Same size: 35×45 mm

Page updated October 5, 2026. Requirements can change. Always check the official page before you apply.