Whether you are applying for a Schengen (short-stay) visa or a National (long-stay) visa you will have to provide photographs that meet specific requirements.
Schengen Visa Application
Schengen Visa Application | Apply for Schengen Visa - VisaHQ
Schengen Visa Photo Requirements and Specifications
Format and photo size
Your photographs cannot be older than 6 months. If they are you need to get new ones taken. If you have your photos taken in a booth they are usually the correct size, but if you use a photo-printing service you must ensure they are the correct specifications. Your photos should be passport-sized which is 35 mm x 45 mm (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm or 1.37 in x 1.77 in). Your photographs should also be in color – black and white photographs are unacceptable. These photographs from the consulate of the Netherlands show a perfectly acceptable color photograph.
The passport photo must be:
– Size: 35 by 45 mm (width x height).
– Width: from ear to ear, between 16 mm and 20 mm.
– Height: from age 11: from chin to crown, between 26 and 30 mm.
– up to age 11: from chin to crown, between 19 and 30 mm.
There must be a close up of your head and top of your shoulders. This means that your head will take up 70% to 80% of the shot. This is to allow for your facial characteristics to be shown clearly. Look at the 4 photographs from the consulate of Germany to get a better idea of what this means.
Position of head and facial expression
You must be looking straightforward with your eyes open and mouth closed. Photographs for visas are different from your portrait photos and they must be able to identify you for entry to another country. Don’t turn your head to either side and don’t look away when the photo is taken. Also, if you have long hair, don’t allow it to cover your face in any way. In addition, you should refrain from smiling as this changes the shape of your face. These photos from the Dutch consulate give an idea of the how your head should be positioned and the correct, and incorrect, facial expressions.
Quality of the photograph
The quality of your photographs should be excellent. They should be clear and in sharp focus – blurry photos are not suitable. In addition, there should be no marks, such as ink, and the photograph should not be creased. They should also be the correct brightness and contrast – not too pale and not too dark. Check out these photographs from the Embassy of France’s website which gives you an idea of what’s acceptable and what is not.
Background
Having the correct background for your photograph is equally important. The background should be plain and of a light color – white, blue or grey is usually acceptable. There should not be any patterns or shadows in the background. In addition, don’t wear clothes that match the background of your photo so as to be camouflaged against it. The idea is for the background to provide contrast to your hair and face in order for you to be recognizable to the consulate when you submit your visa application. These examples from the German consulate shows the perfect background.
Wearing glasses
If you wear glasses you don’t have to take them off to have your photo taken, but you must ensure that the frames don’t cover any part of your eyes. Your eyes should be completely visible. You should not wear tinted glasses or sunglasses and there should be no reflection from the flash when the photo is taken. The French consulate has ideal illustrations for you if you wear glasses.
Wearing hats or other head covers
It is not permissible to wear any hats of any kind when you have your photo taken. Headcovers are allowed if they are required for your religion, but you must ensure your face is clearly visible from the chin to the forehead. You cannot wear any head covering that creates shadows on your face or where your face is not shown. Have a look at the examples provided by the Consulate General of Germany.
Children, babies, and infants
If you are applying for a Schengen visa for your child, you must also provide photographs which meet certain requirements. The face should be 50%-80% of the photograph. Unless your child is under 5 years of age, their head should be fully facing the camera and have a neutral expression which means no smiling. In addition, there should be no one else in the photo and your child should not hold any objects, like toys, nor should they wear any type of hat. Have a look at the photographs from the German, French, and Dutch consulates to get an idea.
Additional requirements
Photographs must be glued and not stapled to the application form. If you have to provide 2 photos, one should be glued and the other kept loose for the visa official.
You can only provide original photographs. Photocopies are unacceptable
Examples of Schengen visa photo size, requirements, and specifications
The 26 member states of the Schengen zone includes:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
They all have the same requirements and specifications when it comes to the photographs required for your Schengen visa application. Whichever consulate you are applying to for your Schengen visa, you will find specific photo requirements on each of their websites, so it’s recommended that you take the time to look at what they are.