Crop a photo to 35 × 45 mm — Schengen area schengen visa
We have not yet confirmed from European Union / Schengen authorities whether this document accepts a photo you prepare yourself. Until that is checked, this page promises nothing about it — the sizes below are the published ones, the route is not.
Upload your photo
The document is already selected — the frame is locked to 35 × 45 mm. Drag the photo inside the frame; the shape cannot be broken.
The photo is cropped in your browser. It is not uploaded to a server and we do not store it.
How to crop it, in three steps
- Upload a photo taken face-on, in even light
- Move the photo until the eyes sit on the guide line and the head fills 70–80%
- Save the 35 × 45 mm result — print it or attach it to the application
Exact numbers for this document
| Parameter | What it must be |
|---|---|
| Print size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
| Aspect ratio | 7:9 |
| Head, share of height | 70–80% of photo height |
| Eye line from the bottom edge | 55–70% |
| Background | Plain light background. |
| Glasses | No tinting or reflections; eyes must be fully visible. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
What cropping will not fix
- A wrong background — cropping does not repaint the wall behind you. This document needs: plain light
- A shadow on the face or on the wall. Step 1–2 m away from the wall and shoot facing a window.
- Glare on the lenses. Take the glasses off or turn away from the light source and shoot again.
- A smile, raised brows or a half-open mouth. Cropping keeps the face it was given.
- Too few pixels. If the original is smaller than 413 × 531 px, enlarging it only blurs the face.
Why these photos get rejected — and how to fix each one
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| VIS biometric quality score below 0.6 threshold | Re-shoot with sharper lighting and exact ICAO 9303 geometry |
| Background outside the EU Visa Code light range (too white, too dark, or coloured) | Match exact consulate's interpretation — German: light grey; French/Italian: cream OK; Spanish/Portuguese: pale grey |
| Head height outside 70-80% of frame (chin to crown) | Standard ICAO crop — 32-36mm head on 45mm photo |
| Glasses reflection covering eye region | Remove glasses or rotate lens plane 1-2° downward |
| Photo older than 6 months from application date | Re-shoot with current appearance |
Schengen area-specific things to know
- Apply at the embassy/consulate of the Schengen country where you'll spend most days — the photo standard is identical but VAC operators differ in strictness
- VFS Global VACs operate on-site photo booths charging €7-12 — useful fallback when your photo fails the visual pre-check
- VIS biometric quality scores were introduced in 2025 — older guides referring only to dimensional checks are outdated
- TLS Contact (used for UK/Australia applicants to Schengen states like France, Italy) applies stricter background-colour rules than VFS Global
Printing on a single sheet
4 × 2 frames fit on one 10×15 cm sheet — 8 copies from a single print.
Photos per print sheet
| 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.
Where these numbers come from
Source: European Union / Schengen authorities. Last checked against the official page on 2026-05-21.
- The European Commission says the page is a general overview and applicants should contact the embassy or consulate of the main destination country for details.
- A Schengen visa is a short-stay entry permit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- The EU document list includes a valid passport, a visa application form, a photo in compliance with ICAO standards, medical insurance and supporting documents.
- The EU page says fingerprints are collected when the application is submitted, with specific exemptions.
- As a general rule, applicants must apply at the consulate responsible for the country where they are legally resident.
Questions people ask before cropping
35 × 45 mm. 70–80% of photo height.
413 × 531 px (300 dpi) · 827 × 1063 px (600 dpi).
70–80% of photo height.
Plain light background.
A wrong background — cropping does not repaint the wall behind you. This document needs: plain light A shadow on the face or on the wall. Step 1–2 m away from the wall and shoot facing a window. Glare on the lenses. Take the glasses off or turn away from the light source and shoot again. A smile, raised brows or a half-open mouth. Cropping keeps the face it was given. Too few pixels. If the original is smaller than 413 × 531 px, enlarging it only blurs the face.
4 × 2 frames fit on one 10×15 cm sheet — 8 copies from a single print.