Create a 35 × 45 mm biometric photo for a Schengen visa application, with your face sized to ICAO rules on a plain light background, ready to print.
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A Schengen visa application needs a recent biometric photo: 35 × 45 mm, a plain light background, and a face that fills most of the frame according to the ICAO standard used for passports and visas worldwide. Consulates and visa centres check photos carefully, and a rejected photo can delay an appointment.
This tool prepares a compliant photo from one you take at home. The Schengen standard is preselected with a light background, a guide helps you size your face, and you can download a print sheet for any photo kiosk. Framing and printing layouts run in your browser.
Before
Holiday-style phone photo
4032 × 3024
Busy background, small face, wrong proportions.
After
35 × 45 mm at 300 DPI
413 × 531 px
Biometric framing on a plain light background.
Schengen countries follow the ICAO biometric photo standard, but individual consulates and visa centres may add their own rules. Check the instructions for the country you are applying to.
Stand in front of a plain light wall in even light and have someone take a front-facing photo at eye level, without glasses.
Add the photo to the workspace above. The Schengen Visa (35 × 45 mm) standard is preselected.
Drag and zoom so your face, chin to crown, fills about 70–80% of the photo height, centred.
Keep the light background. The optional AI background step can replace a busy background, but it sends the photo to remove.bg.
Download a 4×6 inch or A4 print sheet and print it at actual size on photo paper.
| Requirement | Rule | How this tool helps |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 35 mm wide × 45 mm high | Preset with the exact proportions |
| Face size | Chin to crown 32–36 mm (70–80% of height) | On-screen guide |
| Background | Plain, light (light grey or white), uniform | Light grey background preset |
| Age of photo | Usually no older than 6 months | Use a recent photo |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open | Retake if needed |
| Glasses | Often discouraged; no glare or tinted lenses | Remove them if possible |
| Head coverings | Only for religious reasons, face fully visible | Frame the full face |
Schengen states use the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard for machine-readable travel documents. It defines a 35 × 45 mm photo in which the face, measured from chin to crown, occupies about 70–80% of the height. The eyes should be open and clearly visible, the expression neutral and the face looking straight at the camera, with even lighting and no shadows.
At 300 DPI a 35 × 45 mm photo is 413 × 531 pixels, which prints sharply at the correct physical size.
Most visa photo rejections come from lighting, background and framing:
Although the core standard is shared, consulates of different Schengen countries and the visa centres that process applications sometimes add their own requirements, such as a specific background colour, a maximum photo age or how many photos to bring. Some countries now capture photos digitally at the appointment. Read the checklist for your destination country before printing.
Download the 4 × 6 inch or A4 print sheet and print it at actual size; "fit to page" changes the dimensions. Use photo paper and cut the photos out neatly. Bring the number of photos your checklist specifies, and avoid stapling or folding them. If your application also needs scanned documents, combine them with the Image to PDF converter.
Framing, resizing and print layouts are created on your device. The optional AI background feature can replace a busy background, but it sends your photo to remove.bg; if you prefer everything to stay local, retake the photo against a plain light wall.
Some visa portals ask you to upload a digital photo as well as, or instead of, printed copies. They usually specify pixel dimensions and a maximum file size; if your photo is too large, compress it with the 1MB compressor or a smaller target, keeping the dimensions the portal asks for.
Supporting documents such as bookings, bank statements and insurance certificates are often uploaded as PDFs. Scan or photograph each page flat and in good light, compress the images, and combine them into one file with the Image to PDF converter. Always check your destination's official checklist for which documents are required.
Consulates and visa centres most often reject photos for shadows on the face or background, a face that is too small or not centred, glasses with glare, an expression that is not neutral, a photo that is too old or visibly retouched, and incorrect print size. Checking each of these before your appointment saves a second visit.
Head coverings worn for religious reasons are generally accepted in Schengen visa photos, provided the face is fully visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face are shown, with no shadows on it. Hats and caps worn for fashion are not accepted. Medical exceptions, such as glasses that can't be removed or a bandage, may need supporting documents; ask the consulate in advance.
Prepare printed photos for short-stay Schengen visa applications.
Bring compliant photos so your appointment isn't delayed.
Take photos for the whole family at home and print them on one sheet.
Many residence permits and ID documents use the same biometric format; check each one's rules.
35 mm wide and 45 mm high, with the face (chin to crown) taking up about 70–80% of the photo height, roughly 32–36 mm.
A plain, uniform, light background, usually light grey or white, with no shadows or patterns. Some consulates specify a colour, so check your country's checklist.
All Schengen states follow the ICAO biometric standard, so the core rules are the same. Individual consulates and visa centres may add details, such as background colour or photo age, so read the checklist for your destination.
It is safest to remove them. If you do wear glasses, there must be no glare, no tinted lenses and the frames must not cover the eyes. Some consulates do not accept glasses at all.
Most consulates ask for a photo taken within the last six months that reflects your current appearance.
Framing, resizing and print sheets are created in your browser. Only the optional AI background feature sends your photo to remove.bg, and only if you turn it on.
The physical size is the same, but UK rules differ in details such as head size and background. Use the UK passport photo page for UK applications.
Download a 4×6 inch or A4 print sheet and print it at actual size (100%, no "fit to page") on photo paper, then cut out the photos neatly.
No. The ICAO standard asks for a neutral expression with the mouth closed.
Yes, every applicant usually needs their own photo, including children. Some consulates relax the expression rules for babies; check your destination's checklist.
Only if it meets the visa rules and is recent enough, usually taken within the last six months.