Schengen Area Visa Photo Maker
Create a 35 × 45 mm Schengen Area visa photo from your own picture. Face detection, cropping and export all run in your browser.
These figures follow the photo guidance published by the German missions for Schengen visa applications. Schengen states use the same biometric standard, but always check the consulate or visa centre you apply through.
Background: the background must be plain, bright single colour, ideally neutral grey. The tool does not change the background for this document (the official source does not explicitly allow edited photos), so take the photo against a suitable plain wall.
The photo is too close. Retake it with more space around your head (above the hair, at the sides and down to the shoulders) so it can be cropped to the required size.
Background replacement is off for this document: the official source does not explicitly allow edited photos. Take the photo against a suitable plain wall.
Optional. A one-time download of about 16 MB, then the background is replaced with the required colour on your device. Your photo is not uploaded.
Red line = top of the head (not the hair), blue = eyes, green = chin. Drag a line onto the right spot, or use its ▲ ▼ buttons; the crop refits. Drag anywhere else to move the photo. The green band shows where the chin must end, the blue band where the eyes must be.
The tool only checks the size and position of the head. It does not check glasses, expression, background or lighting.
Guide lines are an aid, not a check by any authority. Always compare the result with the official requirements linked below.
Schengen Area visa photo requirements
| Printed size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to top of head, not hair) | Face 70–80% of the photo: 32–36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (not the top of the hair). Children aged 9 and under: 22–36 mm. |
| Background | Plain, bright single colour, ideally neutral grey |
| Digital file from this tool | Exported at 827 × 1063 px (600 dpi), JPEG |
| Editing | Not mentioned by the official source (background replacement is off) |
| Print sheet from this tool | 8 copies on 4×6 in (10×15 cm), 300 dpi |
Rules from the official source
- Face centred, taking up 70–80% of the photo (32–36 mm from chin to the top of the head).
- The whole head, including voluminous hair, should be visible.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera; head neither tilted nor turned.
- Eyes open and clearly visible, not covered by hair or glasses frames.
- No tinted lenses, sunglasses or reflections on glasses.
- Background: one bright colour, ideally neutral grey, contrasting with face and hair, with no pattern and no shadows.
- No other people or objects in the photo.
- No hats or head coverings, except for religious reasons; the face must then be visible from chin to forehead.
- Printed on high-quality paper at 600 dpi or more.
How to use the tool
- Take a front-facing photo in even light against a plain wall, or pick an existing one.
- Upload it. The tool finds your face, eyes and chin, and crops the photo to 35 × 45 mm.
- Place the red line where the top of your head would be without hair (this authority does not count the hair), and check the green line sits on your chin. The crop refits automatically.
- When the head position is within range and you have ticked the confirmation box, download the digital photo and/or the 4×6 in print sheet. If the tool says the photo is too close, retake it with more space around your head.
Common mistakes that lead to rejection
- Measuring to the top of the hair. The 32–36 mm face height runs from the chin to the top of the head; photos are only rejected below 27 mm or above 40 mm.
- White or patterned background where a contrasting neutral grey is expected (medium grey for light hair, light grey for dark hair).
- Photo printed at low resolution. The guidance asks for at least 600 dpi.
- Frames or reflections covering part of the eyes.
- Smiling, raised eyebrows or an open mouth.
- Shadows on the face or on the wall behind you.
- Head too small or too large in the frame. Here the head is measured from the chin to the top of the head, not to the top of the hair.
- Photo taken too close, so the top of the head or the shoulders are cut off.
- Tilted head or looking away from the camera.
- Busy or coloured background instead of a plain wall.
Editing and retouching
Not mentioned by the official source. Source. This tool only offers background replacement where an official source explicitly allows editing.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Schengen visa photo?
The German missions ask for a 35 × 45 mm biometric photo in which the face takes up 70–80% of the frame, which is 32–36 mm from the chin to the top of the head.
Should the background be white or grey?
The guidance asks for one bright colour, ideally neutral grey, that contrasts with your face and hair: medium grey for light hair, light grey for dark hair. Patterns and shadows are not acceptable.
What about photos of children?
For children aged 9 and under the face should take up 50–80% of the photo (22–36 mm). Children aged 5 and under do not need a neutral expression or to look straight at the camera.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. All processing happens in your browser.
Official source
German Missions (germany.info), Federal Foreign Office of Germany: https://www.germany.info/resource/blob/929404/6e3eee9fd4d86e16aaefe0e92d809332/visa-photo-examples-data.pdf. Last verified by us: . Rules can change, so always check the official page before you apply.
PhotoID Ready is independent and not affiliated with any government agency. Whether a photo is accepted is always decided by the issuing authority.
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