French Student Visa Photo Requirements for Réunion
Preparing a student visa application for Réunion requires specific photos that meet official standards[1]. Use this guide to check every detail before you submit.
Official Size and Head Measurements
France-Visas says the photo must be 35–40 mm wide, and the face must measure 32–36 mm from the chin to the top of the head, excluding hair[2].
Measure the face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, excluding hair, and check that it is 32–36 mm[2].
Background and Visual Standards
The photo must follow the ICAO standard[2]. France-Visas does not specify a background color[2].
Choose lighting that makes your face clear and evenly lit. Stand slightly away from the wall behind you to avoid casting dark shadows on the background surface. Natural daylight coming from a front-facing window gives you clean light without harsh glare.
Glasses and Headwear Rules
The checked French visa pages do not specify rules for glasses or headwear[2].
The cited page does not specify rules for glasses, expression, or mouth position[2].
Rules for Children and Biometric Collection
Applicants submit two recent ICAO-format photos[3]. Applicants over 12 must attend in person for their first application to provide biometric data, including a photo[3].
Every applicant, including a child, provides a photo[2]. The supplied official pages do not specify a pose or expression for infant photos. For the photo measurements, use the 32–36 mm face-height rule[2].
Submission Formats and Authority Guidelines
Submit two recent ICAO-format photos[3]. At the appointment, the consulate or service provider collects biometric data, including a photo, from applicants who must attend in person[3].
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Taking and Printing Your Photo at Home
You can take your student visa photo at home by using a digital camera or a modern smartphone. Stand about one to one and a half meters away from the camera and place the lens directly at your eye level. Face a large window with natural daylight to avoid harsh artificial flashes and deep shadows. Ask a friend or family member to take the picture so you can look straight ahead with a natural posture. You can use the tool above to crop your image to the correct dimensions right in your web browser.
Follow the published measurements: the photo must be 35–40 mm wide and the face 32–36 mm high[2]. The official pages do not specify a 4 × 6-inch sheet or paper finish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many people run into trouble when their camera is positioned too high or too low, which skews the facial proportions and messes up the head measurements. Make sure your helper holds the camera level with your eyes rather than tilting it up or down.
Another frequent mistake involves poor lighting that creates dark shadows behind the ears or under the chin. Turning off overhead room lights that cast yellow or orange tints helps you achieve a clean, natural photo look.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct size for a French student visa photo?
The photo must be 35–40 mm wide, and the face must measure 32–36 mm from the chin to the top of the head, excluding hair[2].