Schengen visa photo Kenya: 35×45 mm light grey, VFS Nairobi. https://www.pixid.studio/guide/schengen-visa-photo-kenya

🇰🇪 Kenya → 🇪🇺 Schengen visa · Last verified: May 2026

Schengen Visa Photo Requirements for Kenyan Applicants — VFS Nairobi (2026)

35×45 mm 2 prints Light grey BG VFS Nairobi

Quick answer: 35×45 mm, plain light grey or white background, head 32–36 mm, two identical prints. Submit at VFS Global Nairobi for your Schengen country appointment — tourism and seasonal work routes are common from Kenya.

Official sources: VFS Germany/Kenya · ICAO Doc 9303

Schengen visa 35×45 mm photo for Kenyan applicants at VFS Nairobi
Tourism and seasonal work Schengen routes from Kenya both use ICAO 35×45 mm at VFS Nairobi.

Use this page if…

  • Kenyan applying for a Schengen visa (tourism, business, work) via VFS in Nairobi.

Do not use this page for: Kenya passport photo guide renewal, applicants outside this origin country, or generic sizing without VFS context — see general Schengen visa photo guide or Kenya passport photo guide.

Schengen missions from Kenya often require light grey, not the warm white studio background common for Kenya passport photos. Confirm grey vs white on your VFS checklist before you print two identical copies.

VFS Schengen centres in Nairobi

Schengen visa applications from Kenya go through VFS Global country-specific centres in Nairobi.

CentreAddress / areaNotes
VFS — NairobiWestlands / Upper Hill — confirm mission address on visa.vfsglobal.com/kenGermany, France, Italy, and others
MombasaMost applicants travel to Nairobi VFS — confirm on VFS siteMission-dependent

VFS Germany/Kenya · EU Visa Code

Photo specification

RequirementSpecification
Print size35×45 mm (ICAO)
Head height32–36 mm (chin to crown)
BackgroundPlain light grey or white
QuantityTwo identical prints
Recency≤ 6 months
GlassesNot permitted
ExpressionNeutral
AttachmentOften glued to application form

Schengen missions often require light grey — not the bright white default some Nairobi passport studios use for eCitizen uploads.

Printed photo or digital upload?

Print required for standard Schengen applications — two 35×45 mm copies. Follow your VFS checklist for any digital add-ons.

Document photo compliance checks — background, head size, and framing
Visa centres check measurable rules — crop, background, and head height — not whether the photo is flattering.

What usually goes wrong in Kenya

  • White background when mission requires light grey
  • eCitizen passport crop instead of Schengen head height
  • Only one print
  • Selfie or filtered phone photo

Printing in Nairobi

Specify Schengen 35×45 mm, light grey if required by your mission. Print two copies at Westlands or CBD labs.

PixID — $4.99

PixID checks crop, background, and file size for Schengen visa rules — without altering your face. $4.99, money-back guarantee.

See also

Frequently asked questions

What size for Schengen visa in Kenya?
35×45 mm ICAO standard.
Background colour?
Plain light grey or white — confirm with mission.
How many photos?
Two identical prints.
Tourism vs work visa photo?
Same 35×45 mm spec for Schengen short-stay.
Same as Kenya passport?
No — different head crop and often grey background.
Where is VFS Nairobi?
Confirm current address on visa.vfsglobal.com/ken.
Can I wear glasses?
No for most visa photos in this corridor — remove prescription glasses to avoid glare rejections.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months and reflecting your current appearance.
Do all Schengen countries use the same photo?
Baseline is ICAO 35×45 mm, but background grey vs white can vary by mission — confirm on your VFS checklist.

Schengen visa from Kenya — 35×45 mm, two prints

Create Your Photo — $4.99

Verified against VFS Germany/Kenya and EU Visa Code baseline.