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

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: physical print must measure exactly 35 × 45 mm (±1 mm tolerance) in portrait orientation
• Head size: distance from crown to chin must be between 32 mm and 36 mm to ensure proper face fill
• Eye position: vertical position of eyes must be between 5 mm and 5 mm from the bottom edge and centered horizontally
• Background: plain, light gray, off-white or white without patterns, textures or shadows
• Facial expression: neutral with closed mouth, relaxed features, both eyes open and visible, no smile or frown
• Head orientation: full front view, head straight and centered, no tilt or rotation, looking directly into camera
• Photo quality: high resolution and sharp focus, no red-eye, reflections or pixelation, printed on matte or semi-matte paper
• Color and lighting: even, natural lighting avoiding shadows on face or background, true-to-life skin tones
• Glasses: not recommended; if worn daily, lenses must be clear with no glare, frames thin and not covering eyes
• Head coverings: only for religious reasons, must not obscure hairline or cast shadows, full face visibility required
• Attire: everyday clothing only; no uniforms, camouflage, excessive jewelry or hair accessories covering facial features
• Recentness: taken within the last six months reflecting current appearance, no digital retouching or filters
• Paper and print: professional-quality photo paper, color print, smooth finish, no folds or creases
• Digital file (if required): JPEG format, minimum 600×600 px and maximum 1200×1600 px, file size 50 KB–4 MB, no compression artifacts

Step-by-Step Process

• Equipment preparation: Use a high-resolution digital camera (≥600 dpi) or smartphone (≥8 MP) with a clean lens and set to neutral white balance to capture crisp facial details.
• Background setup: Place subject 1–5 m from a plain white or light-grey backdrop and use two soft light sources at 45° angles to eliminate shadows on face and background.
• Subject positioning: Have the applicant stand naturally, facing the camera directly, with shoulders relaxed and head centered in the frame to ensure symmetry.
• Head & eye alignment: Position eyes 32–36 mm from bottom edge and ensure head height (top of hair to chin) occupies 70–80 % of photo (approx. 32–36 mm).
• Facial expression & appearance: Instruct a neutral expression with closed mouth, relaxed lips and eyes open, avoiding visible teeth or raised eyebrows for consistency.
• Accessories & hair: Remove hats, scarves and sunglasses; if head coverings are worn for religious reasons, ensure full facial features (hairline to chin and ears) remain visible.
• Photo capture & review: Take at least two shots, review histogram for proper exposure (no clipping highlights or shadows) and verify even lighting with no red-eye.
• Cropping & head-size measurement: Crop digitally to 35×45 mm at 300 dpi, confirm head height (top hair to chin) is 70–80 % of image, and eyes are positioned one third down from top.
• Print & digital file specs: Print on quality matte or glossy photo paper with no borders, verify dimensions with a ruler, or save digital JPEG at 300 dpi, max 500 KB, no compression artifacts.
• Final quality check & submission: Inspect under daylight or daylight‐balanced lamp, ensure no creases/marks, confirm all specs before attaching to visa application or uploading online.

Tips and Best Practices

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

Conclusion

In conclusion, strict adherence to the EU Schengen Visa 35×45 mm photo specifications ensures your application proceeds smoothly and without avoidable delays. By following these standards precisely, you demonstrate compliance with Schengen authorities and significantly reduce the risk of photo rejection.

Key Points Summary:

• Dimensions: exactly 35×45 mm (5×5 cm) with no borders
• Head size: 32–36 mm from chin to crown, centered and upright
• Background: plain light-colored (preferably white), free of patterns or shadows
• Expression: neutral face, closed mouth, eyes open and clearly visible
• Lighting: even illumination, no reflections, glare or strong shadows
• Accessories: no hats or head coverings (unless for religious reasons), glasses allowed only if frames don’t obscure eyes and no lens glare
• Photo quality: high resolution, true-to-life color, printed on matte photo paper
• Recency: taken within the last six months, identical copies, unmounted and unretouched

By ensuring each of these criteria is met, you maximize the likelihood of an accepted visa photo and smooth onward processing of your Schengen application.