France Visa Photo Size
A French visa photo is the Schengen 35 × 45 mm format, but France adds its own habits: the French ID photo standard does not accept a pure white background, and the visa center checks your print against your face at the appointment. Upload a portrait and the page prepares a 35 × 45 mm photo on light grey.
Passport Photo
or drop JPG, JPEG, JFIF … files here ·
Max 95 MB per file· Up to 20 files· Deleted after 30 minutes
Files are processed on our servers and deleted after 30 minutes.
Quality is lowered until the photo is at or just under this size; tiny files are padded up to the spec's minimum.
300 DPI is the print standard for passport photos; a 35×45 mm photo is then 413×531 px.
Place several copies on a 4×6 in (10×15 cm) photo print or an A4 page, ready for a photo kiosk or home printer.
How many photos on the sheet. A 4×6 in print fits 6 photos of 2×2 in or 6 of 35×45 mm; an A4 sheet fits more.
How to use this tool
- 1
Take a neutral portrait
Face the lens with your mouth closed, eyes open and hair off the face. Shoot in daylight with no shadow on the wall behind you.
- 2
Use the Schengen frame
The page opens on Schengen visa (France, Germany …) — 35×45 mm with Light grey as the Background. The Head-size guide marks the 32–36 mm band.
- 3
Print two copies
Choose 4×6 in sheet under Print layout with Cut lines on, print on photo paper and bring the cut photos to your VFS or TLScontact appointment.
A France visa photo is 35 × 45 mm in color, head 32–36 mm from chin to crown, on a plain light grey or light blue background, taken in the last six months, neutral expression and nothing covering the eyes.
France visa photo requirements by application
| Country | Photo size | Background | Max KB | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRFrance short-stay visa (type C) | 35 × 45 mm, head 32–36 mm | Plain, light grey or light blue | — | france-visas.gouv.fr |
| FRFrance long-stay visa (type D) | 35 × 45 mm, color | Plain, light | — | france-visas.gouv.fr |
| FRFrench ID photo standard (citizens) | 35 × 45 mm, head 32–36 mm | Light, white not accepted | — | ants.gouv.fr |
| EUOther Schengen states | 35 × 45 mm, ICAO portrait | Plain, light | — | home-affairs.ec.europa.eu |
| FR · FR · FR · EU | ||||
Every application for France starts on France-Visas, the official portal of the French government, which produces the form you print and sign. The appointment itself is run by an external provider, VFS Global or TLScontact depending on your country, where you hand over the form, the photo and the fee, which has been €90 for an adult short-stay visa since June 2024.
The photo follows the ICAO portrait standard behind every Schengen visa: full face, eyes open and visible, mouth closed, no hat unless worn for religious reasons, no shadow on the face or the wall. The detail people miss is the background. In France an identity photo on pure white is refused for French documents, and photographers there use light grey or light blue by default, so this page does too.
Short-stay or long-stay: same photo, different file
Short-stay Schengen visa
Tourism, business or family visits of up to 90 days in any 180.
- One 35 × 45 mm print
- Fingerprints taken at the center
- Valid across the Schengen area
Long-stay visa
Study, work, family reunification or talent visas for more than 90 days.
- Same 35 × 45 mm photo
- Extra documents such as Campus France
- Visa validated online after arrival
France visa photo mistakes at the appointment
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Print on matte or satin photo paper | Staple through the face |
| Keep 32–36 mm from chin to crown | Use a pure white or textured wall |
| Pull hair back so eyebrows show | Wear tinted or reflective glasses |
| Bring a spare print | Print on office paper at home |
If you also need a German or Italian visa this year, the same crop works because every Schengen state uses 35 × 45 mm; the Germany visa photo size page lists the German extras. For clothing and contrast against a grey background, read what to wear for a passport photo.
France visa photo questions
Can a French visa photo have a white background?
Light grey is the safer choice. France's own ID photo standard rules out pure white because the face blends into the edge, and some visa centers apply the same habit. A plain light grey or light blue background meets both the French and the general Schengen rules.
Does the France visa center take my photo for me?
First-time Schengen applicants give fingerprints at the VFS Global or TLScontact center, and some centers also take a live facial image. The appointment checklist still asks for a printed photo to attach to the form, so bring one either way.
Is the photo for a French long-stay visa different?
No. Long-stay (type D) visas for study, work or family use the same 35 × 45 mm color photo, recent and on a light plain background. What differs is the paperwork, such as the student Campus France procedure or the validation of the visa after arrival.
Can I reuse the photo from my last Schengen visa?
Only if it is under six months old and still looks like you. Your fingerprints can be reused for 59 months in the Visa Information System, but the photo has to be recent for every application.
How much bigger can my head be in the photo?
The face from chin to crown should measure 32–36 mm on the 45 mm print, roughly 70–80% of the height. Smaller than 32 mm looks like a distant snapshot; above 36 mm the hair touches the top edge. The Schengen visa photo size page shows the same band for other member states.
- Schengen Visa Photo SizeSchengen visa photo size is 35 × 45 mm with the head 32–36 mm tall on a plain light background. Crop yours to the spec and print it on a 4 × 6 sheet.
- Germany Visa Photo SizePhoto for a German Schengen visit visa: 35 × 45 mm print, head 32–36 mm, light grey background, brought to the VFS, TLScontact or consulate appointment.
- UK Passport Photo RequirementsUK passport photo rules: 45 × 35 mm print, head 29–34 mm, cream or light grey, taken in the last month; digital 600 × 750 px, 50 KB–10 MB.
- Visa Photo MakerMake a visa photo to the right size for the US, Europe, Dubai, China, Japan or India: print size, pixels and KB limit per visa. Crop yours online.
- Passport Size Photo MakerMake passport size photos online: crop to 35 × 45 mm, 2 × 2 in or 25+ country specs, swap the background and print six copies on a 4 × 6 in sheet.
- German Visa Photo SizeBiometric photo for a German national visa for work, study or family: 35 × 45 mm, head 32–36 mm, plus the 2025 digital photo rule for residence permits.