head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceEuropean Union / Schengen authorities
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Schengen area national visa (Type D) photo size is 35 × 45 mm. Plain light background. Head occupies 70–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 70–80% of photo height |
| Background | Plain light background. |
| Pose | Full face, head centred, no tilt. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | No tinting or reflections; eyes must be fully visible. See full rules → |
| Lighting | No shadows on the face or background. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing, without unnecessary accessories. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
EU/Schengen National D visa (long-stay, >90 days) photos follow the harmonized Schengen visa code standard with member-state implementations. The format is 35×45mm following ICAO 9303: head 32-36mm chin-to-crown, neutral expression, light grey background (preferred biometric baseline).
Two identical printed photos typically required even when biometrics captured at the counter (one for application, one for VIS database). National D visa is the legal basis for long-stay residence in a specific EU member-state; converts to residence permit after arrival.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Schengen area national visa (Type D) photos get rejected.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected: some follow from the rules European Union / Schengen authorities publishes, the rest are the usual document-photo requirements. The table shows what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Photo not 35×45mm | Reprint at Schengen baseline |
| Single photo (two required for VIS) | Print second identical copy |
| Black-and-white photo | Re-shoot in color |
| Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
How to take it
Background: plain light
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 70–80 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Clear lenses only, no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
| Authority | European Union / Schengen authorities |
|---|---|
| Source | European Commission visa policy guidance |
| Verified |
Questions
The recommended size for the Schengen area national visa (Type D) photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 70–80% of the photo height.
Plain light background. The wall should be evenly lit, with no shadow around the head and no pattern. You don’t need a studio backdrop: the tool sets the right background colour.
Consulates usually ask for a photo taken within the last six months, sometimes within three. Take a new one that looks like you today.
Often yes, but not always: tourist, student, work and transit visas can have different size or background rules. Compare the requirements of each Schengen area visa — if they match, one photo will do.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the consulate’s rejection notice.
No tinting or reflections; eyes must be fully visible. If you keep them on, tilt them slightly downwards by lifting the arms a little above your ears: this usually moves reflections of a window or lamp off the lenses.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 pixels.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: EU blue card, EU ID card, EU passport, residence card, Schengen visa.