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Schengen Area · German Federal Foreign Office missions (Schengen visa) · Verified October 22, 2026

Schengen Visa Photo — 35×45 mm, Free Online Tool

  • 35×45 mm
  • JPG
  • Uniform white or bright

Off by default: this authority rejects edited backgrounds. Take the photo against a plain wall instead — we'll check it.

Drop your photo here

Tap to choose, drag and drop, or paste. JPG, PNG, HEIC, WebP.

Processed on your device. Never uploaded.

This tool is pre-set for the Schengen visa (short stay, type C) — German missions in the Gulf: add any photo and get a file that fits the official schengen visa photo requirements. Written for: residents of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar applying for a Schengen visa through a German mission.

Schengen Visa Photo requirements

Official requirements for the Schengen visa (short stay, type C) — German missions in the Gulf
DocumentSchengen visa (short stay, type C) — German missions in the Gulf
Issued byGerman Federal Foreign Office missions (Schengen visa) (Schengen Area)
Print size35 × 45 mm
FormatJPG
Background colorUniform white or bright
Head height71.1–80% of photo height (32–36 mm)
ColorColor photo required
Taken withinthe last 6 months
Submitted asPrinted photo
head 32–36 mm35 mm45 mm
Generated from the official measurements

The rules in plain words

  • Recent biometric passport photo, 35 × 45 mm.
  • Face 32–36 mm from the tip of the chin to the hairline, centred.
  • Uniform white or bright background.
  • Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera with eyes open.
  • Glasses only with untinted, non-reflective lenses and frames clear of the eyes.
  • No older than 6 months (the Doha mission asks for 3 months for some visa types); digitally altered photos are not accepted.

How to take a Schengen Visa Photo at home

  1. 1Stand about half a metre in front of a uniform white or bright wall. Distance from the wall stops shadows behind your head.
  2. 2Face a window or soft light so both sides of your face are evenly lit — no harsh overhead light.
  3. 3Ask someone to hold the camera at your eye level, 1–1.5 m away. Selfies at arm's length make noses look bigger and get rejected.
  4. 4Look straight at the lens with a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, hair away from your eyes.
  5. 5Take off your glasses unless you have a medical reason to wear them.
  6. 6Drop the photo here, download the result, then use the print sheet to print at exact size.

Tips specific to this document

  • Bring the photo loose — don't staple or glue it to the form.
  • Other Schengen states follow the same ICAO 35 × 45 mm standard; check your consulate's checklist for the number of photos.

Common reasons photos are rejected

  • Face too small (less than 32 mm).
  • Edited background.
  • Photo older than the mission allows.

Questions people ask

What size is a Schengen Visa Photo?

German Federal Foreign Office missions (Schengen visa) requires 35×45 mm. ExactFit sizes your photo to exactly this and shows a checklist so you can confirm before you submit.

How big should my head be in the photo?

Measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (including hair), your head must take up 71.1–80% of the photo height — 32 to 36 mm on the print. The tool detects your face and crops to land inside this range automatically.

What background color is required?

Uniform white or bright, plain and without shadows or patterns. German Federal Foreign Office missions (Schengen visa) does not accept digitally edited backgrounds, so take the photo against a plain wall; ExactFit checks the background but leaves it unchanged by default.

Can I wear glasses?

Glasses only with untinted, non-reflective lenses and frames clear of the eyes.

How recent does the photo need to be?

It must have been taken within the last 6 months and look like you do now.

Can I take a Schengen Visa Photo with my phone?

Yes. Have someone take it from about 1–1.5 m away against a plain wall, make it here, then print it at true size with the print sheet (4×6 in, A4 or A6) at a photo kiosk.

Is my photo uploaded anywhere?

No. All processing — face detection, cropping, background and compression — runs inside your browser. Your photo never leaves your device.

Will my photo be accepted?

ExactFit checks every measurable requirement against the official rules, but the final decision is made by German Federal Foreign Office missions (Schengen visa). Follow the checklist and the official guidance linked on this page.

Official source

Last verified against the official source: October 22, 2026

ExactFit is not affiliated with any government. Requirements can change; always confirm with the official source. No guarantee of acceptance.

Spotted a change? Tell us and we’ll re-verify within days.