Student visa photo 2026: Schengen, USA, UK, Canada
In short. Each country has its own student visa photo size: Schengen (national D) — 35×45 mm; USA (F-1, DS-160) — 2×2 inches (51×51 mm); Canada (study permit) — from 35×45 mm. For the UK Student visa the photo is usually taken biometrically at the visa centre rather than submitted by you. Biometric rules are the same everywhere: a neutral face, no glasses, light background, photo no older than 6 months.
- Schengen national visa D (study) — photo 35×45 mm, head height 32–36 mm; for online submission via VFS/TLScontact a digital photo is prepared in the 35×45 mm ratio (≈413×531 px — an approximate conversion; exact requirements depend on the consulate).
- USA F-1 via the DS-160 form — photo 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), digital square from 600×600 px (up to 1200×1200 px in the uploader), JPEG up to 240 KB, head takes 50–69% of the frame height.
- United Kingdom (Student visa) — the photo and fingerprints are taken at the visa centre or via the UK Immigration: ID Check app, so you usually do not need to submit a photo yourself. GOV.UK photo standard: digital from 600×750 px (passport — up to 10 MB, visa/permit — up to 6 MB), print 35×45 mm.
- Canada (study permit) — officially print from 35×45 mm, face 31–36 mm; digital from 420×540 px, file 240 KB – 4 MB (JPEG/PNG etc.). 50×70 mm is the Canadian passport, NOT the study visa.
- Biometric rules are the same everywhere: no glasses, neutral expression, mouth closed, even light background, photo no older than 6 months.
Quick answer: the size depends on the country
There is no single global standard for a study visa. The size and format depend on the destination country, so mixing them up is the most common reason for rejection. A separate nuance is the United Kingdom: there the photo is mostly taken biometrically at the visa centre.
| Country / visa | Print size | Digital photo | File |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen, national D (study) | 35×45 mm | 35×45 mm ratio (≈413×531 px) | as required by the consulate |
| USA, F-1 (DS-160) | 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) | from 600×600 (up to 1200×1200) px | JPEG ≤ 240 KB |
| United Kingdom, Student visa | photo taken at the visa centre | — (passport standard: from 600×750 px) | — (for passport: 50 KB – 10 MB) |
| Canada, study permit | from 35×45 mm | from 420×540 px | JPEG/PNG, 240 KB – 4 MB |
Schengen (national visa D)
A student visa to Schengen countries is a long-stay national visa of type D. The photo has the same format as a short-stay visa: 35×45 mm, head height (from chin to crown) 32–36 mm, the face filling 70–80% of the frame. The background is white or light grey. For online submission via VFS Global or TLScontact, the digital photo is prepared in the same 35×45 mm ratio; roughly this is ≈413×531 px (an approximate conversion at 300 DPI). There is no single official pixel standard — the exact file requirements depend on the consulate and the service.
USA — the F-1 visa (DS-160 form)
The US student visa requires a square-format photo of 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). For uploading into the DS-160 on ceac.state.gov, you need a digital square photo from 600×600 px (the uploader accepts up to 1200×1200 px), in JPEG format, with a file size no larger than 240 KB, in colour. The head takes 50–69% of the frame height (from 1 to 1 3/8 inches). The background is white or near-white. Glasses are prohibited in new photos, except for medical reasons.
United Kingdom — the Student visa
An important nuance: for the UK Student visa the photo and fingerprints (biometrics) are usually taken at the visa centre (VAC) or via the UK Immigration: ID Check app, so you do not need to submit a ready photo yourself. The digital sizes (from 600×750 px; maximum file — 10 MB for a passport and 6 MB for a visa/permit) and the printed format of 35×45 mm on a light background are the GOV.UK standard worth knowing as a reference. Both eyes open, mouth closed, no glasses and no red eyes.
Canada — the study permit (IRCC)
For a study visa (study permit) IRCC requires a photo from 35×45 mm, the face from chin to crown 31–36 mm. Digital upload — from 420×540 px, file 240 KB – 4 MB (JPEG, JPG, JPEG2000, TIFF or PNG). The 50×70 mm size is the Canadian passport, not the study visa, so do not confuse them. The background is white or light, printing commercial only (home printing is not accepted).
Biometric rules — common to all
Regardless of the country, the same requirements apply:
- No glasses (prohibited in all destinations, except for medical reasons when the glasses cannot be removed).
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open.
- Even, plain, light background with no shadows or objects.
- Photo no older than 6 months.
- No headwear (except religious), gaze straight into the camera.
Related guides
Official sources
- US Department of State — Visa Photo Requirements
- GOV.UK — Get a passport/visa photo (digital and printed standard)
- GOV.UK — Student visa: documents you must provide (biometrics)
- IRCC — Temporary Resident Visa / study permit photo specifications
- Canada.ca — Canadian passport photo requirements (50×70 mm)
- AXA Schengen — Visa photo requirements
Questions
- Can I use one photo for all countries?
- No. The sizes differ: Schengen 35×45 mm, USA 51×51 mm, Canada from 35×45 mm. For the UK Student visa the photo is taken at the visa centre altogether. One photo will not fit all formats, although the biometric rules (no glasses, neutral expression, light background) are the same everywhere.
- What is the student visa photo size for Canada — 35×45 or 50×70 mm?
- For the study permit IRCC officially requires from 35×45 mm, face 31–36 mm. The 50×70 mm format is the Canadian passport, not the study visa, so it is not needed for the study permit.
- Do I have to submit the photo myself for a UK student visa?
- Usually no. For the Student visa the photo and fingerprints are taken at the visa centre or via the UK Immigration: ID Check app. The sizes of 35×45 mm (print) and from 600×750 px (digital) are the GOV.UK standard for passport/visa photos, useful as a reference.
- What digital photo is needed for the DS-160 for an F-1 visa?
- A square photo from 600×600 px (the uploader accepts up to 1200×1200 px), JPEG format, file size no larger than 240 KB, in colour, head taking 50–69% of the frame height.