EU Schengen Visa 35x45 mm (3.5x4.5 cm) Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: exactly 35 × 45 mm (width × height) with a tolerance of ±1 mm
• Head size: distance from chin to crown must be between 32 mm and 36 mm, centered vertically
• Eye position: eyes located 15–22 mm from the bottom of the photo, looking straight at the camera
• Background: uniform light grey or white, free of shadows, patterns and objects
• Facial expression: neutral with mouth closed, eyes open and visible, no smiling or frowning
• Lighting and contrast: even illumination on face, no red-eye, glare or shadows on facial features or background
• Image quality: high resolution (minimum 600 dpi), sharp focus, no pixelation, under- or over-exposed areas
• Color and tone: natural skin tones, true-to-life color photo; no filters, retouching, or colour casts
• Print paper: professional photo paper with a matte or semi-matte finish, no borders or frames
• Recentness: photo taken within the last six months to reflect current appearance
• Head covering: only plain, non-decorative religious coverings allowed; full facial features (forehead to chin, edges of face) must remain visible
• Eyewear: if normally worn, glasses permitted but with no glare on lenses, no tinted glasses, frames must not obscure eyes
• Accessories: headphones, wireless hands-free devices and similar items are not allowed
• Orientation and cropping: portrait orientation only; entire head and top of shoulders visible with sufficient space around head
• File format (digital submissions): JPEG format, file size between 50 KB and 500 KB, 8-bit color depth, no compression artifacts

Step-by-Step Process

Content about EU Schengen Visa 35x45 mm (3.5x4.5 cm) Photo Requirements Guide - process

Tips and Best Practices

• Background uniformity: Ensure the photo background is smooth, plain white or light gray with no shadows, patterns or objects; this prevents automatic rejection by consular image-processing software and keeps your facial outline distinct.
• Head size & placement: Position your head so it measures 32–36 mm from chin to crown and is vertically centered with a 4 mm margin above the hair; incorrect sizing or off-center alignment often triggers cropping and non-compliance with EU biometric standards.
• Neutral expression & eye visibility: Adopt a natural expression with closed lips and eyes fully open, looking straight at the camera without hair or tinted/cracked glasses obscuring your face; deviations can lead to failed facial-recognition checks.
• Photo print quality: Use professional 600 dpi printing on high-quality matte photographic paper, free of folds, creases, dust or reflections; low resolution or glossy glare often causes the visa office to reject prints.
• Recent & natural appearance: Submit a photo taken within the last six months showing your true current look—avoid heavy makeup, dramatic hairstyles or accessories that alter your features, as outdated or enhanced images can raise identity-verification flags.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the EU Schengen Visa 35 × 45 mm photo must precisely conform to official standards to ensure smooth processing. Adhering to every dimension, pose, lighting and print requirement minimizes the risk of rejection and travel delays. Below is a concise summary of the key points:

• Dimensions: final size exactly 35 × 45 mm, head height 32–36 mm from chin to crown
• Background: uniform light grey or white, no shadows or patterns
• Head positioning: centered, full face visible, no tilt, eyes level with the camera
• Expression: neutral (closed mouth), natural facial features, no exaggerated expressions
• Eyes and eyewear: eyes fully visible, no glare or tinted lenses; remove glasses unless medically required
• Lighting and quality: even illumination, true-to-life skin tones, high resolution (minimum 600 dpi), sharp focus
• Print specifications: color prints on quality photo paper, no borders, no retouching or filters
• Age and freshness: photo taken within the last six months, reflecting current appearance
• Special cases: head coverings for religious reasons must not obscure facial features; infants’ photos allow neutral expression or natural gaze

By following these precise requirements, applicants can confidently submit compliant Schengen visa photos and avoid unnecessary processing delays.