What size is a France visa photo in 2026?

35 x 45 mm, following the Schengen visa standard. This applies to short-stay (Type C), long-stay (Type D), and transit visas.

Is the France visa photo the same as the Schengen visa photo?

Yes. France follows the standard Schengen photo requirements: 35x45mm, light grey or off-white background, neutral expression, no glasses.

Can I use a Photomaton for my France visa photo?

Yes. Approved Photomaton booths in France produce Schengen-compliant visa photos marked with 'Agrée ANTS'.

What is the photo specification for a France Schengen visa?

35x45mm, taken within 6 months, light grey/off-white background, head 32-36mm, neutral expression, no glasses, no head coverings (except religious).

Do I need a different photo size for a France long-stay visa?

No. Long-stay (Type D) and short-stay (Type C) Schengen visas both use the 35x45mm specification.

Can I submit a passport photo for a France visa application?

Yes, if your passport photo is less than 6 months old and meets the 35x45mm Schengen specification with a light grey background.

Is the France visa photo dimension different for VFS applications?

No. VFS Global France centers require the same 35x45mm Schengen specification regardless of applicant nationality.

France Visa Photo

Size & Requirements 2026 · Last updated: 2026-05-11

Photography Guidelines

1 Taken within the last 6 months
2 Plain light grey or off-white background
3 Neutral expression with mouth closed
4 No glasses
5 Face clearly visible from forehead to chin
6 Follows Schengen visa photo standards (ICAO Doc 9303)
7 Head height 32-36mm from chin to crown

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Non-compliant background

Background must be plain light grey or off-white with no patterns

Photo not recent enough

Must be taken within the last 6 months

Wearing glasses

Schengen rules via France prohibit glasses; remove them even if prescription

Digital resizing artifacts

Printed photo quality must be sharp; low-res digital upscales are rejected

How to Take Your Photo

Three ways to get a compliant photo — choose what works for you.

DIY at Home

Take it yourself with a camera or smartphone — the cheapest option.

1 Stand against a plain, smooth, light-colored wall with even daylight from the front.
2 Use a tripod or steady surface so the camera is level with your eyes, ~1.5 m away.
3 Wear normal clothes that contrast with the background and remove glasses or hats.
4 Keep a neutral expression with closed mouth and both eyes clearly visible.
5 Take several shots, pick the sharpest, then crop to the official size and DPI.
6 Save as the required file format and check file-size limits before submitting.

Using Your Smartphone

Best lighting, framing, and tips for iPhone and Android.

1 Use the rear camera (higher quality) and ask someone else to take the photo.
2 Stand 1–1.5 m from a plain wall; turn off flash and use natural daylight.
3 Tap to focus on the face and lock exposure so lighting stays consistent.
4 Frame head and shoulders so the head fills 50–70% of the height.
5 Avoid filters, beauty mode, and HDR — they distort facial features.
6 Crop to the exact ratio in a free tool, export at the required DPI.

With Our Online Service

Upload a photo and get a compliant version in seconds.

1 Upload any clear, recent photo — selfie or full-body works.
2 Our AI auto-detects the face, removes the background, and applies the correct color.
3 It crops to the exact official dimensions for your selected document.
4 A compliance check flags head size, expression, lighting, and shadow issues.
5 Preview the result and retake free if anything looks off.
6 Download the digital file or order printed copies.

Price Comparison

Common ways to get a passport photo, side by side.

Provider	Cost	Delivery	Notes
DIY at Home	Free	Instant	Requires a printer for hard copies
Local Photo Studio	$10–$20	Same day	Quality varies; not always compliance-checked
Pharmacy / Retailer	$10–$15	Same day	Convenient, but limited retake policies
Our Online Service	Free preview	Instant	AI compliance check, free retakes

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PhotoGov

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Frequently Asked Questions

Official References

Information on this page is based on the following official sources:

France-Visas Official Website