Schengen Area (EU generic)
Schengen Visa Photo
Check the exact schengen visa photo (generic) requirements and create a correctly sized photo online. This guide covers the photo dimensions, face position, background, expression, and file rules shown below. Always compare the final result with the latest guidance from National consulates of Schengen states, per Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 ("Visa Code"), Annex VII, and Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 as amended by (EC) No 334/2002, referencing ICAO Document 9303 before submitting.
Issued by
National consulates of Schengen states, per Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 ("Visa Code"), Annex VII, and Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 as amended by (EC) No 334/2002, referencing ICAO Document 9303
- Photo size
- 35 × 45 mm
- Head height (crown to chin)
- 70–80% of photo height
- Eye line (from bottom of photo)
- 50–70% of photo height
- Background
- Light grey
Not codified in the Visa Code itself; consulates commonly require a plain light background (white, light grey, or light blue) consistent with the general ICAO standard, with clear contrast against face and hair.
- Glasses
- Allowed, if lenses are clear and glare-free
- Headwear
- Allowed for religious purposes only
- Expression
- Same ICAO-derived standard as the Schengen passport photo: neutral expression, no smiling, mouth closed, eyes open, looking directly at the camera, full-face frontal pose.
- File format
- JPEG
- Resolution
- 300 DPI
- File size
- No published limit
Good to know
- Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 ('Visa Code') Annex VII section 1.9(c) is the actual binding EU legal text quoted here for size (35x45mm, verbatim 'passport size') and head-height ('between 70% and 80% of the vertical dimension of the surface of the photograph') — confirmed via direct fetch of the consolidated text.
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