A non-compliant photograph is a routine cause of a Schengen application being rejected at the counter, which costs you the appointment slot as well as the trip to the centre. The specification is set at Schengen level and is applied by every state in the area.
It differs from the US specification in several respects — notably the size and the position on glasses — so a photograph taken for one does not necessarily work for the other.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements at a Glance
The Schengen photograph specification.
- 35 x 45 mm in size — not the square format used for US visas
- Taken within the last six months and reflecting your current appearance
- A plain, light-coloured background, uniform and without shadow or pattern
- Full face, front view, with both eyes open and looking directly at the camera
- A neutral expression with the mouth closed
- The face occupying the prescribed proportion of the image height, typically around 70 to 80 per cent
- Sharp focus, good contrast, natural skin tones, and no red-eye
- Printed on high-quality photographic paper, in colour
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
Glasses are treated differently from the US requirement. Schengen states generally permit spectacles provided the eyes are fully visible, the frames do not obscure them, and there is no glare or reflection on the lenses. Tinted lenses are not accepted. Even so, many consulates prefer photographs without glasses, and removing them eliminates the risk entirely.
Head coverings are accepted where worn for religious reasons, provided the full face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead is visible and unshadowed.
Consulates apply the specification with slightly different emphasis. Some states publish their own guidance with additional detail on background colour or acceptable printing. Check the checklist for the consulate you are applying to, since it is that consulate’s counter that will accept or reject it.
Do not use a photo booth photograph without checking it. Booth photographs are frequently the wrong size for Schengen or use a background outside the specification. A photographer who does visa photographs will have the Schengen template.
No editing. Retouching, filters, phone beauty modes and background replacement all cause rejection. Two identical prints are commonly required, so ask for more than one.
Visa and Supporting Document Requirements
What the photograph accompanies at the appointment.
- Two identical photographs meeting the specification, unless the consulate specifies otherwise
- Completed and signed application form
- Passport meeting the age, validity and blank page requirements
- Schengen-compliant travel medical insurance certificate
- Flight reservations and accommodation confirmations
- Proof of funds and of employment
- Evidence of ties to South Africa
- Proof of payment of the visa fee
- Appointment confirmation
- For minors: unabridged birth certificate and parental consent
Financial, Health and Entry Conditions
Confirm every figure and requirement before you apply. Visa fees, processing times, forms and document lists change frequently and differ between missions and application centres. Work only from the issuing authority’s own official website, and treat anything else — including this page — as orientation rather than as the requirement.
Biometrics are captured at the appointment in most cases, including fingerprints and a digital facial image. Those are stored in the Visa Information System and reused within a defined period, which is why repeat applicants sometimes do not need to attend in person again. The printed photograph is still required.
The photograph must look like you now. If your appearance has changed materially since it was taken — weight, facial hair, hairstyle — use a current one. A discrepancy noticed at the border creates difficulty that is disproportionate to the cause.
Children need their own photographs meeting the same specification, with the same plain background and no other person, hand or object visible in the frame. For infants, this is difficult but the specification is applied.
Keep spares. Print several copies and keep two with the file. A rejected photograph at the counter with no spare means rebooking.
The same photograph will not necessarily work for other visas. The US requires a square format and does not permit glasses; the UK has its own digital specification. Have photographs taken for the specific application rather than reusing.
South African children travelling are subject to documentation requirements applied at departure, commonly including the unabridged birth certificate and, where a child travels without both parents, parental consent in the prescribed form. Confirm the current position with the Department of Home Affairs before travelling.
On agents and “guaranteed” visas. You do not need an agent, applications can be made directly, and official fees are published. Nobody can guarantee an outcome. Anyone offering to obtain a visa outside the normal process, or asking for payment to influence a decision, is not operating lawfully — and false documents result in refusal and, commonly, a multi-year ban.
How to Prepare or Apply
Have the photograph taken by a photographer who does visa photographs and knows the Schengen specification, and ask for several prints.
Then check it against the consulate’s own published checklist before the appointment. Consulates publish their photograph guidance, and reading it takes a minute.
- Use 35 x 45 mm — not the square US format
- Use a plain light background with no shadow
- Take glasses off; it removes the risk entirely
- Ensure the photograph is no more than six months old
- Do not retouch, filter or use a phone beauty mode
- Print several copies and keep spares with the file
- Check the specific consulate’s published photograph guidance
- Have separate photographs taken for other countries’ visas
Frequently Asked Questions
What size must a Schengen visa photo be?
35 x 45 mm. That differs from the square format used for United States visas, so a US photograph will not work.
Can I wear glasses?
Generally yes, provided the eyes are fully visible with no glare and the frames do not obscure them. Tinted lenses are not accepted, and removing glasses eliminates the risk.
Can I use a photo booth?
Only after checking it against the specification. Booth photographs are frequently the wrong size or use a non-compliant background.
How many photographs do I need?
Two identical prints are commonly required, but confirm with the consulate. Print several and keep spares — a rejection at the counter costs the appointment.
Photograph specifications, application checklists and biometric procedures are set by the Schengen states and individual consulates and are revised. Confirm current requirements with the consulate you are applying to before your appointment.