Several official authorities review a visa application for France, and one simple mistake can cause your visa to be rejected, making you lose money, time, and patience. One document that sometimes can be overlooked is the identity visa photo, but it’s vital you know the requirements of the French consulate regarding your visa photo so you can submit a full application lowering your chances of rejection.
France Visa Photo Requirements
Your France visa photo must be according to the dimensions, quality, background, head position, and facial expression requirements of the French immigration authorities. Generally, the photo requirements are the same as the Schengen visa photo guidelines, but some embassies may have specific demands depending on your country of residence and visa type.
You can get your high-quality photograph that complies with all the France visa photo requirements at MyBiometricPhotos. You simply need to choose “France Visa Photo” under ‘What type of photo do you need?” and upload your photo. The photo is then processed digitally to ensure it meets the requirements of French authorities. Since the entire process is completed online, you can print the photos yourself to a place of your choosing.
Photo Dimensions
Your France visa photo size must be 35mm x 45mm, with about 80% of your head and the top of your shoulders covering the photo. The photo must not be older than six months and must show your current appearance. If, during those six months, you’ve had a significant change in your look, you may be required to submit another picture taken more recently.
Quality and Brightness
Your French visa photos must be of high quality with appropriate brightness that shows your facial features clearly. There cannot be any blurriness in the photo, white cast overshadows, or discoloration. Your natural skin tone must be visible, and no editing that alters your appearance is not allowed.
Background
You must use a plain neutral color background for your French visa photo. Also, you must ensure that no other people are visible in the background, objects, patterns, or designs.
Head Position
You must keep your head straight and look forward toward the center of the camera. Pictures with your head turned sideways or looking over your shoulder are unacceptable. You must also position yourself in the center of the photograph, not favoring one side of the photo more than the other.
Face Expression
You must keep a neutral facial expression without smiling or frowning when you take your French visa photos. Additionally, you must make sure you keep your eyes open and mouth closed otherwise, your visa photo is invalid.
Accessories
Generally, accessories such as hats, glasses, and hair bands for a French visa photo are not allowed unless:
- You wear a head covering for religious purposes, e.g., an Islamic headscarf (hijab) or a Sikh turban (Dastar).
- You wear prescription eyeglasses to improve your eyesight as long as the glasses do not obstruct your eyes.
How Do I Take a France Visa Photo?
You can take your France visa photo by using one of the following options:
- Taking your photo at home. You can take your visa photo at home if you follow the exact instructions to submit an acceptable visa photo. If you opt for this option, you will need a good camera or a phone with a qualitative camera. Once you take your photo, you may use online websites and tools to help you adjust the photo to the required size (35mmx45mm). But remember that no heavy editing is allowed.
- Taking your photo at a professional studio. You can usually find professional studios near the embassies or consulate offices that have years of experience taking visa photos. With this option, you can simply pay a small fee and have your pictures taken and adjusted by the photographer.
- Taking your photo at a visa center. Some visa centers (not embassies or consulates) may have photo booths on their premises to allow you to take your photo when you submit your application. However, you still have to pay a separate fee for your photo.
Taking a France Visa Photo for Children
Any minor who applies for a France Schengen visa must also have their picture taken, and their photos must follow the same guidelines with a clear background, size, quality, etc. However, if you have a child under 5, you may use toys and other objects to distract them in order to take a picture as long as those don’t appear in the photo. Remember, even toddlers are required to keep their eyes open and mouths closed.
How Do I Submit a France Visa Photo?
There are a few ways you can attach your identity picture to your France visa photo:
- Using paper glue to glue the photo to its spot.
- Using a stapler to attach the photo to the form.
- Using a paper clip to clip the photo.
- Leaving the photo as is in your application package.
This will depend on the embassy/consulate and visa office where you submit your application, so check with the embassy before submitting your application.