The Schengen photo specification
Harmonised across Schengen member states per ICAO 9303 biometric standards and downstream EU regulations:
- Size: 35 × 45 mm
- Quantity: 1 photo for the visa packet (some embassies request 2 as backup)
- Background: light single-colour, preferably bright white or very light grey, no patterns
- Face area: 70 to 80 percent of frame height, from top of head to chin
- Head position: straight to camera, head centred, both ears either visible or symmetrically obscured by hair
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
- Glasses: allowed if you wear them daily, but lenses must not reflect light and the frame must not cover the eyes
- Headwear: allowed for religious reasons only, face must remain fully visible from forehead to chin
- Print finish: matte preferred, glossy is tolerated by most embassies but matte never gets rejected
- Recency: taken within the last 6 months
- Digital upload: many online systems (VFS, TLS, BLS, France-Visas) also request a JPEG of the photo, exact pixel size and file weight vary by portal, check the specific upload page before submitting (commonly around 600 × 800 pixels, under 1 MB)
Where Russian residents apply for Schengen visas in 2026
As of mid-2026 the embassies and visa centres operating for Russian-resident applicants:
- Italy. One of the most accessible. Italian consulate in Moscow and St Petersburg, plus VFS Global centres. Appointment availability fluctuates, check the VFS Italy site for current slots before planning.
- France. French consulate in Moscow processes applications through an official visa partner, check the current operator on the France-Visas portal before applying. Family and business visas straightforward, tourist visas selective.
- Spain. Spanish consulate in Moscow operates through an outsourced visa centre, check the current contractor on the official consulate website before applying. Tourist visa requires confirmed hotel and ticket bookings before applying.
- Hungary. Hungarian consulate has historically been one of the more accessible routes for some applicants, though policy changes frequently, check current appointment availability before planning. Can be faster than other consulates if you have flexibility on entry country.
- Greece. Greek consulate in Moscow still issues short-stay tourist visas. Often slower than Hungary but more lenient on first-time travellers.
- Czech Republic, Netherlands, Germany. Limited capacity but processing some categories (study, work, family reunion).
You can use the same photo file for any of these,Schengen specification is identical across consulates.
Why most photo-booth photos fail
Schengen photo booths at metro stations and shopping malls in Moscow typically deliver:
- Face too small (50 to 65 percent of frame, below the 70 percent minimum)
- Background not quite white (cream, pale yellow, beige,fails the white standard)
- Compression artefacts on the digital file when you scan the print for VFS online upload (digital appearance of the file matters as much as the print)
- No ability to deliver a digital JPEG, just the print, which complicates online application flows
We have re-shot dozens of photos for applicants who were turned away at the VFS Global counter for one of these reasons.
How we prepare your Schengen visa photo
Session takes 15 to 25 minutes in studio or 30 to 45 minutes in-home including setup. You leave with:
- 2 to 4 matte prints in 35 × 45 mm (most embassies want 1, we deliver extras for the visa packet duplicate, biometrics backup, or your records)
- One JPEG digital file optimised for VFS / TLS / BLS online upload,typically 600 × 800 pixels, 300 DPI, under 500 KB
- One high-resolution archive JPEG
If the visa centre flags the photo for any reason, we re-shoot or re-export at no charge within 60 days of the session.
Pricing
Studio session, prints plus digital file: from 1 500 ₽ (USD and EUR equivalents depend on current FX rate).
In-home or in-hotel session in Moscow: from 3 500 ₽.
Same-day urgent: add 500 ₽.
Multi-country pack: if you are applying to two Schengen embassies the same week (some applicants do this for redundancy), we deliver matched prints and adjusted JPEG dimensions for each at no extra fee.
Try our free online photo tool first
Our free in-browser tool has a preset for Schengen 35 × 45. Upload a recent selfie, the tool crops, removes background, replaces with white, exports JPEG under VFS file-size limits. If your selfie passes, print at any Moscow photo lab and submit the same day.
FAQ
Can I use a UK visa photo for Schengen?
The UK photo is also 35 × 45 mm, so yes,provided it is under 6 months old, white background, no glasses reflection.
What is the difference between a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa photo and a long-stay (Type D) photo?
None. Photo specification is identical.
Do children need their own photo for Schengen?
Yes. Every applicant submits their own photo, including infants. Infant photos are difficult,we recommend in-home sessions for children under 2.
My passport scan was rejected because the photo background was off-white. Do I need to retake the passport photo too?
Only if the consulate explicitly asked. The visa photo is separate from the passport biometric data.
How recent does my photo need to be?
6 months maximum. Most embassies accept up to 12 months in practice, but we recommend redoing if you crossed a 6-month threshold.
Can I wear contact lenses?
Yes, contact lenses are not detectable in the photo and not regulated.
Related services
For US visa specifications see US visa photos in Moscow 2026. For Russian residency documentation see Russian residency photos guide. For general visa and document photo services see visa photos for foreigners in Moscow.
Book a session
Message +7 927 624-99-67 on Telegram or use the chat at the bottom of the page. Tell us which consulate (Italian, French, Spanish, Hungarian, Greek) and the appointment date. Same-day delivery in most cases.
What Schengen consulates check in 2026
The size is 35x45 mm everywhere. What differs is how strict the check is and which details get the closest look.
Based on our experience in 2025-2026: the actual returns and retakes among our clients.
Frequently asked questions
What photo size do you need for a Schengen visa in 2026?
The Schengen standard follows ICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm, with the face taking 70 to 80 percent of the frame height from the top of the head to the chin. The background is a light single colour, preferably bright white or very light grey, with no shadows. We print on matte paper so there is no glare at the visa centre, and we ask which consulate you are applying to before the session.
How much does a Schengen visa photo cost and how long does it take?
A session with prints plus a digital file costs from 1 500 ₽. An in-home or in-hotel session in Moscow costs from 3 500 ₽, and same-day urgent service adds 500 ₽. The session takes 15 to 25 minutes, or 30 to 45 minutes at your home including setup. You get 2 to 4 matte prints, a JPEG for online upload and a high-resolution archive file.
Are your photos accepted at VFS and BLS visa centres?
Yes. We shoot to the harmonised Schengen specification and deliver a digital file optimised for VFS, TLS and BLS online upload. If the visa centre flags the photo for any reason, we reshoot or re-export it at no charge within 60 days of the session.
Can I wear glasses or a head covering in a Schengen visa photo?
Glasses are allowed if you wear them daily, but the lenses must not reflect light and the frame must not cover the eyes. Headwear is allowed for religious reasons only, such as a hijab, turban or kippah, and the face must stay fully visible from forehead to chin. Your ears can be visible or evenly covered by hair.
Do I need a digital photo file for an online Schengen application?
Many online systems, including VFS, TLS, BLS and France-Visas, ask for a JPEG of the photo. The exact pixel size and file weight vary by portal, so check the upload page first. Our digital file is typically 600 × 800 pixels, 300 DPI and under 500 KB, it is included in the session price, and we send it by email or Telegram right after the session.
Do you take visa photos of children and babies?
Yes. Every applicant needs their own photo, including infants, and for children under 2 we recommend an in-home session. The requirements are the same as for adults: eyes open, neutral expression, no toys or dummy in the frame. For babies we use a plain white sheet and a parent supports the head out of frame. Allow 20 to 30 minutes for a session with a child.
How do I book a Schengen visa photo session?
Message us on Telegram or in the chat on this page. Tell us which consulate you are applying to and your appointment date. We answer in English during Moscow business hours and deliver the same day in most cases.