Schengen Visa Photo (35 × 45 mm)

The Schengen 35 × 45 mm requirement

Schengen visa photos are 35 × 45 mm, with the face taking up 70–80% of the frame (around 32–36 mm from chin to crown), on a plain light-grey or off-white background. The ICAO-style rules are strict about head height, so a good guide makes a real difference.

Upload a neutral, front-facing photo, fit your head between the crown and chin lines so it fills the required share of the frame, and pick the light background. Download the photo or print a sheet of copies to bring to your appointment.

How to make a Schengen visa photo

1. Upload your photo. A neutral expression, even lighting, and a plain wall work best.
2. Schengen preset is ready. The size is set to 35 × 45 mm with a neutral light background.
3. Fit your head. Zoom so your chin-to-crown height fills the guide — the face should be large in the frame.
4. Download or print a sheet. Save the photo, or tile copies on a 4 × 6 inch sheet.

Get the head height right

Schengen rules require the head (chin to crown) to be 32–36 mm in a 45 mm frame — that is most of the photo. The crown and chin guide lines are positioned for exactly this, so line your head up to them and you will be in range.