Schengen Visa Photo — at home in 60 seconds
Schengen short-stay (C) visa - generic ICAO photo
Take it with your phone against a plain, light wall. We crop it to the exact size (35×45 mm) and check the head size, position and background against the published rules.
Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.
Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027
Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo. Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
Good
Head too small
Busy background
Quick answer
A Schengen Visa Photo must be 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in), with the head 32–36 mm from chin to top of head, with a background that is light grey, light/neutral uniform, or white (accepted by some consulates, e.g. German missions). A photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets these rules.
- Printed photo
- 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
Verified October 3, 2026 from EUR-Lex.
Photo requirements
Summarised from the official sources below.
- Printed photo
- 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
- Head size (chin to top of head)
- 32–36 mm (70–80 % of the photo height)
- Background
- Light grey, light/neutral uniform, white (accepted by some consulates, e.g. German missions). Uniform, light-coloured, no shadows, no patterns. Exact colour is consulate-specific; neutral light grey is the safest choice.
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight at the camera.
- Glasses
- Allowed only if eyes clearly visible: no tinted/sun lenses, no reflections, frame must not cover the eyes.
- Head covering
- Generally only for religious reasons with full face (chin to forehead, both sides) visible; rules vary by consulate.
- Babies and children
- Same ICAO rules; per-consulate leniency for babies. Fingerprints not taken under 12 (current Visa Code Art. 13(7)(a)).
More rules (5)
- ICAO Doc 9303 compliant (Visa Code Art. 13(4))
- colour photo, sharp, natural skin tone
- no other person/object in frame
- many consulates require it not older than 6 months
- printed photo is still required in the file even when biometrics were captured <59 months ago (France-Visas)
Print at home or at a kiosk
Print the sheet at 100% (Actual size), never “Fit to page”, on photo paper. Each sheet has a 50 mm ruler so you can check the size.
How to take it at home
- Stand about half a metre in front of a plain, light wall, facing a window.
- Hold the phone at arm’s length or ask someone to help. The live guide checks distance, light and head position.
- Get your digital file and print sheet. Print at 100% or upload the file.
Price
Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.
Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027
Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo.
Photo Acceptance Guarantee — rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
Why people choose Ovalight
Made for the moment you need a photo that just works.
- Money back if it’s rejected Rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
- Free to try Take and check your photo for free. You pay once, only when you like the result.
- Your photo stays on your phone Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
- Checked against the official rules Every rule comes from the issuing authority’s own website, last verified on October 3, 2026.
- Free retakes for 24 hours Not happy with it? Retake the same document up to 3 times within 24 hours.
- Secure payment, no subscription Pay once through Stripe. We never see your card details.
Official sources
Verified on October 3, 2026
- Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (Visa Code), consolidated 28.06.2024 - Art. 10(3)(c), Art. 13 — EUR-Lex
- Regulation (EU) 2021/1134 (revised VIS) - Art. 2 amending Visa Code Art. 10 and 13 (live facial image) — EUR-Lex
- France-Visas FAQ - What is the format of the ID photographs I have to provide? — france-visas.gouv.fr
- Biometria - Vistos Schengen (Portugal MNE) — vistos.mne.gov.pt
- German Embassy Vientiane - Schengen tourist visa checklist (photo 3.5x4.0 cm, face 70-80%) — diplo.de
- German Embassy Manila - Photograph specifications (face 32-36 mm, 70-80%) — diplo.de
Questions
What size is a Schengen Visa Photo?
Printed: 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in).
Can I take my Schengen Visa Photo at home?
Yes. The photo is not taken at the office and no registered photographer is required, so a photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets the rules on this page.
What background is required?
Light grey, light/neutral uniform, white (accepted by some consulates, e.g. German missions). Uniform, light-coloured, no shadows, no patterns. Exact colour is consulate-specific; neutral light grey is the safest choice.
Can I smile?
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight at the camera.
Can I wear glasses?
Allowed only if eyes clearly visible: no tinted/sun lenses, no reflections, frame must not cover the eyes.
Can I wear a head covering?
Generally only for religious reasons with full face (chin to forehead, both sides) visible; rules vary by consulate.
What about babies and children?
Same ICAO rules; per-consulate leniency for babies. Fingerprints not taken under 12 (current Visa Code Art. 13(7)(a)).
Can I print the photo at home?
Yes. Print the sheet at 100% (Actual size) on photo paper, at home or at a pharmacy or kiosk, and check the size with the 50 mm ruler.
Other documents that use 35×45 mm
Ovalight is an independent service. Only the authority that issues your document decides whether to accept a photo.