Schengen Visa Photo Requirements
Based on the official ICAO photograph guidelines and Schengen visa policy. Please follow the requirements below to avoid application delays.
Quick size reference
| Specification | Official requirement |
|---|---|
| Print size (ICAO) | 35 × 45 mm (width 35–40 mm accepted) |
| Face in frame | Head and shoulders; face 70–80% of photo height |
| Recency | No more than 6 months old |
| Background | Plain light-coloured, uniform lighting |
Always confirm the latest rules on the official government site before you submit.
Crop your photo free online
Browser-based passport photo tool — process locally on your device, no watermark on downloads.
Works in your browser. No app download required.
Printing passport photos at home
Can I print my own passport photo at home?
Many countries allow home printing if the photo meets official size, paper, and quality rules. Use matte photo paper and check head size against the diagram above before submitting.
Will a home-printed photo be accepted?
Final acceptance depends on your authority's current standards, print quality, background, and expression. Some applications require professional prints—always read the latest official guidance.
What size should I print?
Use the official dimensions in the table above. Our free online cropper exports the correct aspect ratio so you can print at the right size.
Photograph quality — overview
Key points extracted from the ICAO guidance
Official poster overview
The photographs must be:
- • no more than 6-months old
- • 35–40mm in width
- • close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70–80% of the photograph
- • in sharp focus and clear
- • of high quality with no ink marks or creases
The photographs must:
- • show you looking directly at the camera
- • show your skin tones naturally
- • have appropriate brightness and contrast
- • be printed on high quality paper, and at high resolution
- • Digital camera photos must be high quality colour and printed on photo‑quality paper
Photograph quality — detailed examples
Examples (set 1)
Each tile label matches the list on the right
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • too close
- • too far away
- • blurred
- • ink marked/creased
- • looking away
- • unnatural skin tones
Examples (set 2)
Continuation of photograph quality examples
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • too dark
- • too light
- • washed out colour
- • pixelated
Style and lighting
Examples (set 1)
Hair/eyes/pose/background examples
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • hair across eyes
- • eyes closed
- • portrait style
- • eyes tilted
- • busy background
- • not centred
Examples (set 2)
Lighting and shadow examples
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • flash reflection on skin
- • redeye
- • shadows behind head
- • shadows across face
Style and lighting — official notes
Extracted from the right-hand notes in the poster
- • be colour neutral
- • show your eyes open and clearly visible — no hair across your eyes
- • facing square on to the camera, not looking over one shoulder (portrait style) or tilted, and showing both edges of your face clearly
- • taken with a plain light‑coloured background
- • taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows or flash reflections on your face and no red eye
Glasses and head covers
If you wear glasses
Glasses examples and do/do not notes
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • dark tinted lenses
- • flash reflection on lenses
- • frames too heavy
- • frames covering eyes
Official notes:
- • show your eyes clearly with no flash reflection
- • no tinted lenses (avoid heavy frames where possible)
- • frames must not cover any part of your eyes
Head coverings
When head coverings are allowed
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • wearing a hat
- • wearing a cap
- • face covered
- • shadows across face
Official notes:
- • not permitted except for religious reasons
- • facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown
Expression and frame
Children examples and framing rules
Examples include common mistakes shown in the collage
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • shows another person
- • mouth open and toy too close to face
Official notes:
- • show you alone (no chair backs, toys or other people visible)
- • looking at the camera with a neutral expression and your mouth closed
Official Sources
Always refer to official sources for the most up‑to‑date rules