Schengen vs UK visa: differences, costs and processing times
Since Brexit, a trip combining the UK and Schengen Europe needs two separate visas for many nationalities. They have different costs, different photo specifications, different processing times and different application portals. This guide compares them and explains the practical implications of needing both.
Quick answer
Different visas, different photos, different processes
A Schengen visa (€90, 35 × 45 mm printed photo, 29 countries, 90 days per 180) does not cover the UK. A UK Standard Visitor visa (£135, digital photo upload, 6 months per visit) does not cover Schengen. A trip including both needs both — separate applications, separate appointments, separate fees.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Schengen visa (Type C) | UK Standard Visitor visa |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | €90 | £135 (about €148) |
| Processing time | 15 calendar days | 3 weeks standard |
| Photo format | 35 × 45 mm printed photo | Digital upload — at least 600 × 750 px, portrait orientation |
| Photo background | Plain light grey or off-white | Plain light background |
| Photo collection | Upload + biometrics at VAC | Upload + biometrics at VAC |
| Max stay per visit | 90 days in any 180-day period | 6 months per visit |
| Multiple entry | Available for €90 single up to 5-year multi | 2-year, 5-year or 10-year multi available |
| Countries covered | 29 Schengen states | UK only (England, Scotland, Wales, NI) |
| VAC operators | VFS Global, TLScontact, BLS | VFS Global only, since December 2023 |
| Biometrics retention | Five years in VIS, counted from the visa expiry or refusal date | Up to 15 years in UKVI |
When you need both
A trip including the UK and any Schengen country needs both visas if your nationality requires them. Examples: Russia, China, India, Egypt, Vietnam, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh nationals need both for a London + Paris trip. UK and Schengen-state nationals never need either.
Which to apply for first
Apply for whichever has the longer processing time in your country (often Schengen for India, China, Pakistan; UK for Russia, Iran). Both can be applied for in parallel — there is no rule requiring sequential applications. Submit both well in advance of travel to absorb any delays.
Why the two photos are not interchangeable
It is not about the rectangle. 35 × 45 mm and 45 × 35 mm are the same portrait-oriented shape written in a different order, so the physical size is not what separates them. The real difference is the format: a Schengen application takes a printed 35 × 45 mm photo, while a UK visa application takes a digital file uploaded through the portal — at least 600 × 750 px, portrait orientation, not cropped down to a print size. One good source portrait can produce both outputs; a print made for Schengen is simply not what the UK portal asks you to upload.
Frequently asked questions
Can the same digital photo file work for both?
One source portrait can serve both, but the two applications want different outputs: a printed 35 × 45 mm photo for Schengen and a digital upload of at least 600 × 750 px for the UK. The Anfas.Pro tool exports both from one session.
Is the UK in the Schengen Area?
No. The UK never joined Schengen, even before Brexit. The Common Travel Area between the UK and Ireland is separate.
Can I do a UK trip on a Schengen visa?
No. A Schengen visa is not valid for UK entry. You need a separate UK visa (or be visa-free for the UK, like US, Canadian, Australian nationals).
Does the UK visa biometric retention apply to children?
Yes for over-5s. Under-5s typically do not give fingerprints but their facial image is captured. The retention period is the same.
Related guides
Prepare both photos in one session
Upload a portrait — Anfas.Pro applies the country-specific crop, background and biometric framing in 5 minutes.