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Schengen Area Visa Photo Maker

Upload any photo — the tool removes your existing background, drops in the plain light grey or white background required for Schengen Area visa, and produces a spec-exact 35×45mm image ready to submit.

Drop your photo here
or click anywhere in this box to choose a photo

JPG, PNG, or HEIC · Max 10 MB on Free · Face forward, eyes on the camera.

100% private — deleted after processing No sign-up to preview Spec-exact 35×45mm output

How to make a Schengen Area visa photo in 3 steps

Upload any photo of yourself, and the tool handles the entire Schengen Area visa spec pipeline — background removal, colour swap, spec-exact crop, file-size compression — in one pass.

1

Upload any photo of yourself

Use your phone or webcam against any background — a plain wall, a cluttered room, an office. The tool segments you from whatever is behind you, so you don't need a plain light grey or white backdrop before shooting.

2

Background is removed and replaced

The AI detects your face and body, removes the original background, and composites you onto the plain light grey or white required for Schengen Area visa applications. Hair and clothing edges are preserved.

3

Auto-crop to 35×45mm and download

Your face is auto-positioned within the 35×45mm frame at 600 DPI, and the output JPEG stays under 240 KB. Drag the crop box to fine-tune the position if needed.

Understanding the Schengen Area visa spec

Schengen visa applications for all 27 member countries accept a 35×45mm color photograph on a plain light background. Most consulates prefer light grey; some accept white. The head must fill 70-80% of the frame height (approximately 32-36mm). Photos must be taken within the last 6 months.

Dimensions
35×45 mm
1.38 × 1.77 in
Resolution
600 DPI
Print-ready
Background
plain light grey or white
AI-swapped
Head height
32–36 mm
Chin to crown

Requirements at a glance

  • 35x45mm, ICAO standard
  • Plain light grey or white background
  • Head takes up 70-80% of the photo
  • Neutral facial expression, mouth closed
  • Both eyes visible and open
  • No glasses (from 2020 rules across most consulates)
  • Taken within the last 6 months

Common mistakes that get photos rejected

  • Wearing glasses — most Schengen consulates now reject
  • Head too small — must fill 70-80% of frame
  • Yellow-tinted background
  • Casual smile — must be neutral

Where Schengen Area visa photos are actually used

The 35×45mm format is standard across the EU and most European countries outside it — the same photo works for UK, Swiss, Norwegian, and Icelandic applications. The main variation is background color: French and Belgian consulates strictly enforce light grey, while German and Italian consulates are more lenient about white. Light grey satisfies every consulate.

Applications that accept this photo spec

  • Schengen short-stay visa (Type C, up to 90 days)
  • Schengen long-stay visa (Type D, national visa)
  • Airport transit visa (Type A)
  • Family reunion visa for a Schengen country
  • Student visa for Schengen area universities

Schengen Area visa photo FAQ

What size is a Schengen Area visa photo?
35×45mm (1.38×1.77 inches) at 600 DPI, on a plain light grey or white background. The head must measure 32-36mm from chin to the top of the head.

What background color does Schengen Area require for visa photos?
Plain light grey or white. Photos on the wrong background — cream, beige, colored, or textured — are the most common reason for rejection. This tool automatically replaces your background with the correct one.

Can I take a Schengen Area visa photo with my phone?
Yes. Modern phone cameras produce more than enough resolution for the 35×45mm output. What matters is even lighting (no harsh shadows on your face), a straight-on angle, and a neutral expression. This tool handles the background and sizing.

What file size does this tool produce?
The output JPEG is kept under 240 KB while preserving the 600 DPI resolution the spec requires. Upload limits vary between government portals and consulates, so check the one you are filing through — if it caps lower, use our Image Compressor to reduce further.

Is my uploaded photo saved on your servers?
No. Your photo is processed in memory and never stored on disk. The AI background removal runs server-side (the model is too large for a browser), but the input image is discarded immediately after processing. Nothing is logged, saved, or shared.

Can I print the Schengen Area visa photo at home?
Yes. The output is a 600 DPI JPEG at exactly 35×45mm, so any inkjet or laser printer produces the correct physical size when you print at 100% scale (not "fit to page"). Use the 4×6 print sheet option to get multiple copies on one sheet of photo paper.

Do I need to sign up or pay?
No sign-up required for basic use. Guests get 2 photos per day; free accounts get 3 per day. For higher volume, Pro plans unlock unlimited photos.

What if the background removal is not perfect?
The AI handles hair, clothing edges, and skin tones well for the vast majority of photos. If you see an edge artifact, try re-uploading with better lighting — indirect natural light from a window works best. You can also skip the background swap and crop only.
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