Schengen Visa Photo Online
Create an official 35×45mm photo checked against published Schengen Area government regulations. Includes automatic background replacement, an instant compliance check, and a 4×6 inch print sheet — free preview, $2.99 to unlock.
Germany: a German passport photo cannot be made online
A photo for a German Reisepass has to be produced by a photo studio or printing shop certified in Germany, and the studio stamps the print. This page is for Schengen visa applications, which do accept a photo you made yourself. If you need a German passport photo, take it at a certified studio.
Official Schengen Visa Dimensions & Proportion
The government requires exact facial placement within the frame. Our alignment tool automatically measures your head height to ensure it falls strictly within the 70% to 80% allowable zone.
- • Target size: 35 × 45 mm (1.38″ × 1.77″)
- • Head height: 70% – 80% of total height
- • Resolution: At least 413×531 px @ 300 DPI
- • Background: Pure White (#ffffff)
Official Do's & Don'ts for Schengen Visa
Follow these core criteria when snapping your photo with your smartphone:
Neutral, calm face; mouth closed; direct eye contact with lens.
Frames must not obscure eyes. No tinted lenses or flash reflections.
Dark or medium colored attire; shoulders must be clearly visible.
Uniform lighting across both cheeks and background.
Source: ICAO Doc 9303 — Machine Readable Travel Documents ↗
Top Reasons Schengen Visa Photos Get Rejected
Government agencies reject thousands of passport and visa applications every week for these common mistakes:
- ✕Face height under 32mm or over 36mm (strict 70%–80% face coverage required)
- ✕Dark or patterned background
- ✕Reflective glare on spectacles
- ✕Heavy digital beauty filters or retouching
Source: ICAO Doc 9303 — Machine Readable Travel Documents ↗
Official requirements
- •35×45mm, face covering 70%–80% of the photo (ICAO 9303 standard)
- •Head height between 32mm and 36mm from chin to top of hair
- •Plain white or light-grey background, evenly lit without shadows
- •Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
- •Taken within the last 6 months
- •High resolution at 300 DPI minimum for physical or digital submission
Official Authority Source: ICAO Doc 9303 — Machine Readable Travel Documents ↗
Size specifications table
| Unit | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Millimeters | 35 mm | 45 mm |
| Inches | 1.38″ | 1.77″ |
| Pixels @ 300 DPI | 413 px | 531 px (minimum) |
How to Print Your Schengen Visa Photo for $0.35 at CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart
In-store passport photo desks charge up to $17.99 for two cut prints. Here is how you can use your IdPhoto Studio download to print for pennies:
- Unlock and download your print-ready 4×6 inch sheet containing multiple copies.
- Save the image to your phone or USB thumb drive.
- Visit any CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Boots, or local photo kiosk and select "4×6 Photo Print" (approx. $0.35–$0.50).
- Do not select the $16.99–$17.99 passport photo menu item — the 4×6 print paper is identical.
- Once printed, use scissors or a craft knife to trim along the clean outline guides.
Need detailed kiosk screen instructions? Read our step-by-step CVS & Walgreens photo print guide →
What our checker verifies
Every photo is checked against these parameters before you pay:
- • Resolution of at least 413×531px
- • Exact aspect ratio of 35:45 (±2%)
- • Head height between 70% and 80% of the photo
- • Eye line between 35% and 60% from the top
- • Full head and hair inside the frame boundary
- • The top of your head inside the frame — measured from your photo
- • Plain, shadowless background with correct color tone
These are the rules we can measure. Whether the authority accepts the photo is their decision — and if they reject a photo you bought from us, we refund it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard photo size for all Schengen countries?
All 29 Schengen member states (including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Netherlands) adhere to the ICAO Doc 9303 standard: 35mm wide by 45mm high, with your face occupying 70% to 80% (32mm to 36mm) of the photo height.
How many photos do I need for a Schengen visa appointment?
Most visa application centers (such as VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International) require two identical physical photographs printed on high-grade photographic paper, along with a digital copy for online forms.
Source: ICAO Doc 9303 — Machine Readable Travel Documents ↗
Other documents and specifications
Ready to create your Schengen Visa photo?
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