Schengen Visa Photo Requirements

Providing photograph for your Schengen visa application is one of the basic requirements to get Schengen visa approval. Each applicant requires to provide 1 or 2 (depends on the consulate) photographs of him/her. It’s not just about any photograph of yours, it is about the photo that is according to the standard visa requirements. To keep your Schengen visa application from getting rejected, you must fulfil all the Schengen visa photo requirements. Scroll down to know all the steps to stay on the safe side.

 

SCHENGEN VISA

HOTEL RESERVATION

What are the requirements of a photo for Schengen visa application?

  • The photograph must not be older than past 6 months.
  • It must be colored. A black and white photo will not be accepted.
  • Prefer the photo that has been taken in the booth.
  • It must be a passport size photo consisting of the following measurement; 35 mm x 45 mm (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm or 1.37 in x 1.77 in.)

Ideal Dimensions for a Visa Photo

  • The overall size of the photo should be 35/45
  • Width should be about 16 mm to 20 mm (from ear to ear)
  • Height from crown to chin (from age 11 to onwards) should be between 26 to 30 mm
  • Size for applicants under 11 is 19 to 30 mm, from crown to chin

Sample Schengen visa photo

Image source: germany.info

SCHENGEN VISA

FLIGHT RESERVATIONS

What to show in the photo?

The perfect visa photo must depict 70 to 80% of the head of the applicant. The remaining part should be the top of the shoulders.

What is the right position of head?

According to the Schengen visa photo requirements, the applicant must look straight in the camera with closed mouth and open eyes. A clear visa photo is vital for your entry to another country, so it must be clear. Those having long hair, must keep their hair away from their faces. In short,

  • Head should not be tilted
  • Eyes should be visible
  • Mouth should be closed
  • Must look straight at the camera

Image source: germany.info

What do immigration laws say about using accessories?

What about those who are habitual to using different fashion accessories like glasses or head covers? Is there any way to do it rightly? Read on.

Schengen immigration law does not deny your right to wear all of this. But you must do this in an acceptable manner.

  • As we mentioned earlier that eyes should be clear, so you must avoid wearing glasses with dark tinted lenses or the ones that produce flash reflection on the lenses.
  • Secondly, do not wear glasses that have heavy frames or the frames that cover the eyes. In both conditions, your visa application can be rejected.
  • Wearing colored lenses and digital makeup are some other don’ts of visa photo requirements.
  • Wearing hats while taking a photo is not permissible as far as Schengen visa photo requirements are concerned. Still some are allowed to put on head covers if it is about religion. With head covers, your face should be fully visible without any shadow on it.

Image source: diplomatie.gouv.fr

Get Your Travel Insurance For Visa Application.

What facial expressions are required for a Schengen visa photo?

As far as facial expressions are concerned, staying serious without any smile or expression is the only way to do it. Smiling can make you look different which may cause trouble in identifying you by the authorities. So, going for the neutral expressions is the right way.                

                                            Image source: diplomatie.gouv.fr

What about the quality of a visa photograph?

A visa photo must not be creased, inked, marked or blurred. It should not have red eye effect. Lighting and color is equally important. It should not be too light or too dark. Contrary to that, it must be sharply focused and clear with appropriate light and brightness.

What background is best for a visa photo?

Always go for single-colored and plain background for a visa photo. The photo must not have any kind of objects in the background.

 

                Image: germany.info

What rules are specified for infants, babies and children?

Applying for a Schengen visa for your kids require certain rules. Some of these are as under;

  • 50 to 80% of a photo should be the face of the baby
  • Child must look straight at the camera. This rule is not applicable for the kids under 5. The reason is simply the trouble of holding a baby’s head to one place.
  • Like elders, they too are required to stay expressionless (no smiles) in front of the camera.
  • Kids are not allowed to hold anything or some toy in their hand.
  • There should be no one else in the photo.
  • Kids too are not allowed to wear any hat or headpiece while taking the photo.

Image source: diplomatie.gouv.fr

Where can you take a visa photo?

A visa photo can be taken from any photographing studio around. They all usually follow the same international standards. Still if you want to be more specific about it, you can go to the studios situated close to the embassy or consulate. Though they charge you more but you will get a photo taken according to the standards set by the ISCO.

What else to know?

Besides following the above mentioned points, an applicant should make sure that:

  • The photo is neatly glued to the visa application form. It must not be stapled.
  • If you are asked to provide 2 photographs of yours, glue one and leave the other one loose for office use.
  • Know that using the photocopies of a photo is strictly forbidden. So always provide the original ones.

Sum up:

Whichever Schengen state you are going to apply for, they all have the same visa photo requirements. We hope you have got enough information about the Schengen visa photo requirements. In case of ignoring any of the above mentioned points, you might get your visa rejected. So, before you start the application process, it is advised to get a perfect photograph, so that you can avoid any delay.