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Complete your purchase to download your official passport photo.
In short: a France visa photo is 35 x 45 mm (about 1.4 x 1.8 inches).
- Face from chin to top of the skull (hair not included): 32 to 36 mm, i.e. 70 to 80% of the photo
- Plain light background (light grey or white), no shadows
- Colour, facing the camera, mouth closed, neutral expression
- Taken less than 6 months ago
- A US 2 x 2 inch passport photo is not accepted
Do you need a visa for France?
US, UK and Canadian citizens
- Trips up to 90 days (tourism, business): no visa, so no visa photo.
- Longer stays (study, au pair, work, joining family): you need a long-stay visa, and the photo rules below apply.
Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and most of Africa and Asia
- You need a visa even for a short trip. Use the France-Visas visa wizard to check.
- The photo rules are the same for short-stay (Schengen) and long-stay visas.
Official France visa photo size
France-Visas requires an ICAO-compliant photo: "The photo must be between 35 and 40 mm wide. The face must measure 32 to 36 mm (70 to 80% of the photo) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the skull (excluding hair)." (France-Visas FAQ, translated)
Why visa centres reject "official" passport photos
Applicants regularly report being sent to the photo booth at the visa centre, or to a nearby print shop, even with photos from a passport photo studio. The reason is almost always the same.
The face is too small. Desk staff check the photo by eye. Passport photos from other countries use a smaller face: a US 2 x 2 inch photo has a different shape, and a UK passport photo uses a 29 to 34 mm head height. Both look "too small" next to the French 32 to 36 mm rule. Aim for the top of the range, 34 to 36 mm, so nobody can argue with it.
"But they take my photo at the appointment anyway?" Yes, a live photo is taken with your fingerprints. France-Visas still requires an ICAO photo in your file, even if you are exempt from biometrics, and the desk checks it. A rejected photo means a paid retake on the spot, after an appointment that is often hard to get.
Where to apply for a France visa
You first fill in the application on France-Visas. You then hand in your file, photo and fingerprints at a visa centre. The French consulate makes the decision.
United States
United Kingdom
Nigeria
Ghana
Kenya
US students: complete the Études en France procedure with Campus France USA before booking your VFS appointment. Other countries: check the official where to apply page. Never pay an intermediary for an appointment. (Information checked October 2026.)
Glasses, head covering, make-up: what is allowed
Religious head covering
- Allowed for religious reasons.
- The whole face must be visible, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, including the cheeks.
- No shadow from the fabric on the face.
- Caps, hats and fashion headbands are not allowed.
Glasses and make-up
- Safest: take your glasses off. If you keep them: clear lenses, no glare, frames not covering the eyes.
- Sunglasses and tinted lenses are rejected.
- Light make-up is fine as long as it does not change your features.
- No filters, beauty retouching or skin lightening.
Common mistakes
- US 2 x 2 inch photo instead of 35 x 45 mm.
- Face too small in the frame.
- Shadow behind the head or on one side of the face.
- Photo cut crooked or printed on plain paper.
Make your France visa photo with your phone
Take the photo at home, then print the sheet as a regular 4 x 6 inch photo print. In the US that is far cheaper than a drugstore passport photo.
Take the photo
Face a window, in front of a light wall. Ask someone to take the photo from about 5 feet away, at eye level.
Automatic check
Our tool checks head position, gaze and lighting against the biometric rules.
35 x 45 mm crop
The photo is cropped to the French format with an even, light background.
Print as 4 x 6
Download the sheet and order it as a standard 4 x 6 inch photo print (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart or any photo shop). Then cut out your photos.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a France visa photo?
The standard size is 35 x 45 mm (about 1.4 x 1.8 inches). France-Visas accepts a width of 35 to 40 mm. The face must measure 32 to 36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the skull, hair not included, and the photo must follow the ICAO standard.
Can I use a US 2x2 inch passport photo for a French visa?
No. A US passport photo is 51 x 51 mm and square, with a different head size. French visa centres ask for the 35 x 45 mm European format and regularly send applicants with 2 x 2 photos to retake them.
Why did the visa centre say my face is too small?
Desk staff check by eye that the face covers 70 to 80% of the photo (32 to 36 mm). Studio photos made for another country, for example a UK passport photo with a 29 to 34 mm head, often look too small. Aim for 34 to 36 mm to avoid a paid retake at the centre.
Does a US citizen need a visa photo for France?
Only for stays over 90 days, such as study, au pair, work or joining family. For tourist and business trips up to 90 days, US citizens do not need a visa.
What background colour is required?
A plain, light background without shadows: light grey or white. Some consulates explicitly ask for white, so check the document list of your visa centre. Coloured and patterned backgrounds are rejected.
Is the photo taken at the visa appointment?
A live photo is taken together with your fingerprints, but it does not replace the printed photo. France-Visas states that an ICAO photo must always be included in the application file, even if you are exempt from biometrics.
Can I wear glasses or a headscarf in a France visa photo?
A headscarf worn for religious reasons is allowed if the whole face is visible from chin to forehead without shadows. Glasses are tolerated with clear lenses and no glare, but removing them is the safest choice. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are rejected.
Do children need their own visa photo?
Yes. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprints, but each child needs their own passport, their own application and their own ICAO photo.