Guides · 3 min read

Schengen visa photo requirements (2026)

Every Schengen visa application uses the same photo standard — 35×45 mm, light background, taken within the last 6 months. Here's the full checklist and the mistakes that most commonly trigger a rejection at VFS Global, TLScontact and BLS International.

The Schengen photo standard

All 27 Schengen states use the ICAO 9303 biometric standard for visa applications. The physical requirements are:

Size: 35×45 mm (3.5×4.5 cm).
Background: uniform light grey or off-white.
Face height: 32–36 mm (from chin to crown), about 70–80% of the frame.
Recent: taken within the last 6 months.
Expression: neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open, no glasses.

What VFS, TLScontact and BLS reject

The three main Schengen visa service providers reject roughly 15% of photos on the day. Common reasons: pure white background (they want light grey), face too small in the frame, glasses reflection, or a smile.

Digital submission

Some consulates now accept digital uploads instead of prints. The digital file must be JPEG, 600 DPI, minimum 413×531 px. IDReady.ai delivers both the print sheet and the digital file that matches these specs.