Schengen Visa Photo Size: Guide for Indian Travellers

Visiting a Schengen country is easy. But the application process? It is as crucial as saving small funds for the trip. If you are planning your next trip to a Schengen country, ensure that you are following the Schengen visa photo size measurements, because one small error is enough to ruin your dream.

Therefore, continue reading this blog to get an understanding of what a Schengen visa is, what the Schengen visa photo size requirements and how Schengen travel insurance assists you in your trip.

What are the Schengen Visa Photo Requirements and Why is it Important?

Ensure that your Schengen visa photo size matches the following points.

1. The Schengen visa photograph size must be within 35 mm x 45 mm. The measurement is the same for all Schengen countries.
2. The photo needs to be taken against a completely white and plain background, and the background or the wall should not have any designs.
3. Your chin crown should be at a distance of 3.5 cm.
4. Your head should be middle-aligned at the centre, covering 80% of the photo area.
5. There should be no shadows in the photo; it should be clear.

These are some of the basic yet essential factors that you need to keep in mind when applying for a Schengen visa. These guidelines are crucial to follow.

Following or adhering to the picture size for the Schengen visa is essential because:

1. Your photos act as the biometric identifiers that are stored in the Schengen visa information system, and they are valid for up to 5 years.
2. It works as an application validity. A Schengen visa is not easy to get; thus, one minor mistake can lead to either delays or immediate rejection.
3. Ensures that your photo correctly represents your current appearance.

Now, you can understand why it is important to follow the photo size measurements to follow a smooth and hassle-free process. 

Read More : Schengen visa for Indians

Schengen Visa Photo Specification For Children

You may wonder whether your children may not require a Schengen visa. But this is not how it works. Infants and children need to apply for the Schengen visa if they are travelling with you.

Read through the pointers below to understand the Schengen visa photo specification for children.

1. The visa photo specification for children is the same as for adults; their eyes should be looking directly at the camera, with their heads aligned in the middle.
2. You need to make sure that your children are not showing too much of emotions, their facial expressions must be neutral.
3. Your child should wear clean, regular clothing, nothing very fancy or gaudy.

For babies or infants, follow these pointers:

1. Photograph the baby on a white sheet since the baby is unable to sit with proper control.
2. Avoid any type of picture where the baby is crying or smiling too loudly; the facial expression needs to be neutral.
3. For infants who are under 3 years, a slightly open mouth is acceptable.
4. The baby’s eyes need to be open.

These are some of the specifications that you need to adhere to when you are applying for a Schengen visa.

Schengen Visa Background and Quality

Do you know that the Schengen officials critically scrutinise the background and the quality of the photo that you have given?. Therefore, you must ensure that you have followed the basic guidelines for the Schengen visa background and quality.

1. Since it is a professional image that you are clicking, ensure that the background is not any colour instead than white.
2. The background has to be plain white; it cannot have any type of texture or patterns.
3. The clothing should be in contrast with the background. You cannot wear white clothes and stand against the white background.
4. Your picture quality should be extremely high.
5. The minimum resolution of your photo must be 60 dpi.
6. The picture needs to be raw; do not put any filter or edit the picture.
7. Your photo needs to be recent.
8. The photo cannot be black and white; it has to be a coloured photo.
9. These are some of the specifications that you need to ensure that your visa photo aligns with.

Tip: Avoid using any old photo, be it 6 months or 3 months old; always use a recent one to avoid any issues in the application process.

What is the Attire Requirement for a Schengen Visa?

Knowing about the Schengen visa photo size will not suffice; you need to ensure that you are well aware of the attire that you need to wear for a Schengen visa photo.

1. Go for simple and clean formal clothing, and avoid wearing anything too fancy or clothes with bright or neon colours.
2. Religious headwears are allowed, but make sure it does not cover your face.
3. Do not wear heavy jewellery that does not look professional.
4. Do not wear caps or any other headgear.
5. You can wear spectacles if these are a consistent part of your daily appearance.

Thus, in short, your attire should be formal and simple and should reflect how you look in real life, so that it does not create any issues in the visa interview. 

Some of the Common Reasons Why a Schengen Visa Gets Rejected

As per the 2024 reports by the European Commission on Migration and Home Affairs, several Schengen countries recorded notable visa refusal rates for applicants from specific countries.

The refusal rates were 7.5% for Russia, 26% for Iran, 27% for Syria, and 46.8% for Senegal. One of the key reasons cited for these rejections was applicants’ inability to provide accurate and complete information.

So, if you do not want to get rejected in your application process, follow the pointers below carefully -

1. Avoid any shadows that can reduce the photo quality.
2. Your identification can be affected due to face misalignment.
3. Any type of edited digital photos is not accepted.
4. Ensure the light is not reflected on your glasses.
5. Blurry photos may reject the application process.

Tip: Valid travel insurance is compulsory for travel to any Schengen country. You can consider Bajaj General Insurance to explore comprehensive travel insurance options, and use the travel insurance calculator to choose and purchase a plan that best suits your needs.

Types of Schengen Visa for Indians

1. Schengen Visa Type A: This is also known as an Airport Transit Visa. Applicable for tourists who are transiting from the Schengen international zone to a non-Schengen zone.
2. Schengen Visa Type C: It is a short-stay or tourist visa applicable for tourists who want to visit and stay in any of the Schengen countries for 90 days.
3. Schengen Visa Type D: This is for long stays if a tourist is planning to stay for more than 90 days.
4. Single Entry Visa: Lets you enter into the Schengen country once, and when your trip ends, the visa is not valid anymore.
5. Double Entry Visa: You can enter the Schengen country twice within the visa validity date.
6. Multiple Entry Visa: With this visa, you are allowed to enter the country multiple times. However, you need to ensure that your travel does not exceed 90 days.

Documents Required for Schengen Visa Application

The required documents for the Schengen visa application form include

1. A duly filled Schengen visa application form. Ensure that you have signed the application form.
2. Current coloured passport-sized photos taken against the white background.
3. A valid passport. It needs to be valid for at least 6 months, except for the planned departure date.
4. Keep past photocopies of previous visas and from previous countries, along with the visible migration stamps.
5. Proof of your travel medical insurance.
6. Proof of visa fee payment.
7. Your trip itinerary.
8. Original bank-stamped, signed copies of the last 3 months' bank statements.

Why Do You Need to Buy Schengen Travel Insurance?

You need to buy a Schengen travel insurance because this has been made mandatory by the Schengen countries. To enter, you need to be backed by valid and active Schengen insurance. 

Travelling abroad comes with a lot of unexpected scenarios, and medical expenses in the Schengen countries are extremely expensive. Therefore, to safeguard yourself from unexpected financial burdens, you are required to purchase Schengen travel insurance.

The benefits include -

1. Personalised plans.
2. Wide sum insured options.
3. Get coverage for pre-existing diseases.
4. Get a cashless benefit.
5. 24x7 customer care support.

You can get these benefits with Bajaj General Insurance and can get additional coverage plans to enhance your existing policy. Secure your trip with the best Schengen Travel Insurance and get coverage at a reasonable premium rate!

Final Thoughts

Therefore, getting the perfect image for your Schengen visa is the key to making the application process smooth and hassle-free. Get it done by yourself to save time and money, and invest that in purchasing a Schengen travel insurance.

Thus, this blog has outlined the Schengen visa photo size specifications and requirements and why it is important to follow the guidelines thoroughly. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a professional photo necessary for a Schengen Visa?

Yes, a professional photo is necessary for a Schengen visa. A professional or a clean photo lets the visa officials authenticate the person. Wearing unprofessional clothes is not acceptable for visa photos.  

Why is the Schengen visa so difficult to get for Indians?

Schengen visas are difficult for Indians to get because of the strict scrutiny over economic migration concerns. It requires you to prove, including a stable job and property.

Which Schengen country does not require a travel insurance plan?

All Schengen countries require a travel insurance plan. This has been made mandatory by the Schengen countries. Valid travel insurance will safeguard you against any type of medical event.

Can I get my Schengen visa within 3 days?

A standard Schengen visa takes approximately 15 days to get. However, getting a visa within 3 days is a rare event. The period can be extended if a more detailed examination is needed. 

What is the 90/180 rule in the Schengen visa?

The 90/180 rule in the Schengen visa allows non-EU nationals to stay a maximum of 90 days within any 180 rolling days across all 29 Schengen countries, instead of only 90 days. 

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