France visa photo requirements for Indians
Indian passport holders applying for Schengen short-stay visa (France-Visas online form, submitted via VFS Global India) need a photo that meets France's rules. Below are the exact size, background and file rules from the official source, with a worked example and a checklist.
VERIFIED · OFFICIAL SOURCE · 17 OCT 2026France photo rules at a glance
What the photo should look like
Drawn to the official measurements where they are published.
Full France visa photo requirements
| Route for Indians | Schengen short-stay visa (France-Visas online form, submitted via VFS Global India) |
|---|---|
| Printed photo size (mm) | 35-40 mm wide (height not stated by source; ICAO format) |
| Digital size (pixels) | Not stated by the official source |
| File format | Not stated by the official source |
| File size | Not stated by the official source |
| Background | Not stated by the official source |
| Head / face size | Face 32-36 mm from chin to crown (excluding hair); face fills 70-80% of the image |
| How recent | Recent and a true likeness on the day the application is submitted and the visa collected |
| Glasses | Not stated by the official source |
| Head covering | Not stated by the official source |
| Expression and pose | Not stated by the official source |
| Copies | Not stated by the official source |
Other official rules
- Must meet ICAO (OACI) standards
- An ICAO-format photo must be in the file even if biometrics are reused (collected within the last 59 months)
- Biometric photo may be scanned from the file or taken at the appointment
Do and avoid
Built from the official rules and the rejection reasons the source lists.
Do
- Use a photo recent and a true likeness on the day the application is submitted and the visa collected
- Must meet ICAO (OACI) standards
- An ICAO-format photo must be in the file even if biometrics are reused (collected within the last 59 months)
- Biometric photo may be scanned from the file or taken at the appointment
How to make your photo in 5 steps
- Stand against a plain wall with even light, or visit a photo studio
- Crop to the required size
- Check the background
- Print on photo paper
- Run the Krosz photo checker before you submit
Free tools: passport photo maker · photo checker · photo resizer
Frequently asked questions
What is the France visa photo size for Indians?
The official source gives 35-40 mm wide (height not stated by source; ICAO format) mm for a printed photo.
How old can the photo be?
Recent and a true likeness on the day the application is submitted and the visa collected.
Where do these rules come from?
From France-Visas (official French government visa portal), FAQ, checked by the Krosz visa desk on 17 Oct 2026. Requirements can change, so the official page always has the final word.
Source and verification
Official source: France-Visas (official French government visa portal), FAQ
Also checked: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/la-demarche
Checked by the Krosz visa desk on 17 Oct 2026 · confidence: medium.
Krosz is a private visa service and is not affiliated with any government. Rules change; the authority's own page always has the final word.
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