France Schengen Visa Photo Requirements 2026 — Size, Specs & VFS Upload

Country guide · 🇫🇷 France · Last verified: February 2026

Official photo specifications for French Schengen visa applications. France follows EU Visa Code (Regulation EC 810/2009) photo standards — verified against the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (diplomatie.gouv.fr) and VFS Global France guidelines.

Quick reference


Size	35×45 mm
Background	Plain white or very light grey
Head height	32–36 mm (chin to top of hair)
Photos required	2 identical
Recency	Within 6 months
Glasses	Not recommended; allowed only with no glare
Digital format	JPEG, same proportions
Source	diplomatie.gouv.fr

France uses EU Visa Code standards

France is one of 27 Schengen member states. All Schengen visa photo requirements are unified under EU Visa Code Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Annex II. This means the specifications for a French Schengen visa photo are identical to those for German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, and all other Schengen country visas.

If you have a compliant photo for one Schengen country's visa, it is compliant for all of them.

Photo specifications

Size and dimensions

Photo size: 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall
Head height: 32–36 mm from chin to top of hair (not crown)
Face coverage: 70–80% of the photo area
Top margin: 3–5 mm between top of hair and top edge
Eye position: both eyes level, centred horizontally in the upper half of the frame
Photos required: 2 identical printed photos

Background

Plain white or very light grey — uniform, shadow-free
No patterns, textures, gradients, or objects
No shadows from face or hair on the background
Good contrast between your face/hair and the background — if you have very light or white hair, a very slightly darker grey improves contrast

Expression and appearance

Expression: neutral, mouth closed. No smiling.
Eyes: both open, looking directly at camera. No red-eye.
Head position: straight, facing camera directly. No tilt or turn.
Glasses: technically permitted if both eyes are fully visible, no glare, clear lenses. Practically: remove glasses. VFS Global and French consular staff frequently reject photos with glasses even when technically compliant — automated biometric checks flag them.
Head coverings: only for religious or medical reasons. Full face must be visible with no shadows.
Clothing: everyday attire. No uniforms.

Quality

Full colour only
Sharp, no blur or pixelation
Printed on professional matte or semi-gloss photo paper
Minimum 600 DPI for print
No digital retouching, filters, or beauty alterations

Digital photo for VFS Global online pre-registration

Many French visa applicants must pre-register at VFS Global (vfsglobal.com) before attending their consulate appointment. VFS may require a digital photo upload at pre-registration.

Digital specs:
- Format: JPEG
- File size: varies by VFS portal — typically maximum 2–5 MB; check your specific VFS country page
- Dimensions: same 35×45 mm proportions
- Background and face rules: same as printed photos

PixID generates a JPEG that meets VFS digital upload requirements for French visa applications.

Who needs a French Schengen visa

Citizens of the following countries (among others) require a Schengen visa to visit France:
- India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka
- China, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand
- Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Nigeria
- Russia, Ukraine (when applying from outside Ukraine)
- Most of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America (some exceptions)

Citizens who do not need a Schengen visa for France:
- USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK (post-Brexit: 90 days visa-free)
- Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico
- All EU/EEA nationals

Check the French Embassy website for your country of citizenship.

Applying for a French Schengen visa — where to submit

VFS Global manages French visa applications in most countries. Find your local VFS France application centre at vfsglobal.com/france.

TLScontact manages French applications in some countries — particularly in Africa and parts of the Middle East. Check the French Embassy website for your country.

In-person at the French consulate — some countries still require direct consulate submission.

High-demand countries where to check:
- India: VFS Global manages French visa applications in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and other cities
- UAE/Gulf: TLScontact in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha, Kuwait City
- Egypt: VFS Global in Cairo
- Morocco: TLScontact in Casablanca and Rabat

France visa photo vs French passport photo

The French national passport (passeport français) has the same 35×45 mm size but is managed by French interior authorities with slightly different detailed specifications. French passport photos are typically taken in-country at certified photo studios or Photo-Me booths.

For a Schengen visa application at a French embassy or VFS, the EU Visa Code specifications described on this page apply.

Common rejection reasons at French consulates and VFS

Glasses — even technically compliant glasses frequently fail VFS's automated checks
Head size outside 32–36 mm — most common technical rejection
Background shadows — from home or studio lighting
Photo older than 6 months — or taken when appearance was significantly different
Non-neutral expression — VFS automated checks flag even slight smiles
Photo not taken within required period — for VFS digital upload, some portals specify a shorter recency window; check your specific VFS page
Incorrect file format or file size for digital upload — check VFS requirements for your specific country
Digital retouching detected — beauty filters or skin smoothing

Frequently asked questions

What are the France Schengen visa photo requirements?
35×45 mm, plain white or very light grey background, head height 32–36 mm, two identical photos, taken within 6 months, neutral expression. Glasses not recommended. Source: EU Visa Code Regulation EC 810/2009.

Is a France visa photo the same as other Schengen visa photos?
Yes. All 27 Schengen countries use the same EU Visa Code photo specifications. A photo compliant for a French visa is compliant for German, Italian, Spanish, and all other Schengen visas.

What background colour for a France Schengen visa photo?
Plain white or very light grey. Uniform, no shadows, no patterns. Both are acceptable — white is most common.

Can I wear glasses in a French Schengen visa photo?
Technically yes, if both eyes are fully visible with no glare and clear lenses. In practice, VFS and French consular staff frequently reject photos with glasses due to automated biometric system flags. Remove glasses for the safest result.

How many photos do I need for a French Schengen visa?
Two identical printed photos, 35×45 mm.

How recent must a French Schengen visa photo be?
Within the last 6 months, reflecting current appearance.

Do I need to upload a digital photo for French visa application?
If applying via VFS Global, yes — pre-registration often requires a digital upload before your appointment. Check your specific VFS country portal for exact digital photo requirements.

What is the difference between VFS and TLScontact for France visa applications?
Both are visa application service providers that manage appointments, document collection, and biometric data for the French Embassy. VFS Global serves most countries. TLScontact serves primarily Africa and some Middle East countries. Both accept photos meeting EU Visa Code specifications.

Can I apply for a French Schengen visa if I am from the US or UK?
US citizens do not need a Schengen visa for stays under 90 days. UK citizens also do not need a Schengen visa for short stays (post-Brexit visa-free agreement). Neither needs to apply for a French Schengen visa for tourism.

Official references: ICAO Doc 9303 · Schengen photos follow the EU Visa Code (ICAO-aligned framing); US passport rules for comparison: travel.state.gov.

France Schengen Visa Photo Requirements 2026 — Complete Guide