Swedish Schengen Visitor Visa Photo Size and Requirements
Preparing your application for a Swedish Schengen visitor visa requires a specific photo. Follow the official guidelines to make sure your pictures meet the standards set for your travel documents.
Official Size and Format
Photo requirements depend on the Swedish embassy or application location. Some local checklists require a recent 35×45 mm (about 1.38×1.77 in) printed photo, while biometric photo capture is also part of the process. Check the instructions for the location where you apply[1][2].
The cited consular guidance does not establish a single Sweden-wide head-height requirement. Check the instructions for your application location[1][2].
Background and Photo Capture
One Swedish embassy checklist requires a white background for the printed photo[1]. The cited guidance also says biometric data, including a photo, is collected at the embassy[1].
Local post instructions can differ significantly depending on which country or city you are applying from[1]. Reviewing the exact office guidelines helps you avoid delays in your visa process.
Glasses, Expression and Headwear
Official guidance from Swedish missions does not specify strict rules regarding glasses for your visa application. Similarly, rules for a neutral facial expression, keeping your mouth closed, and wearing headwear are left unspecified in the current published texts.
The cited guidance does not specify rules for glasses or headwear. Check the local instructions if you need guidance on these details[1][2].
Rules for Children and Minors
Visa applicants under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting, but the photo requirements still apply[1][2].
Getting a good photo of a young child can be challenging, so take multiple pictures in soft lighting. Make sure the child faces forward with eyes open and a calm expression. You can easily prepare and crop the child's image using the tool above before printing.
Taking Your Photo at Home
You can take your visa photo at home using a digital camera or smartphone. Find a room with bright, even natural light and face directly toward a window to avoid shadows on your face. Keep your camera or smartphone at your exact eye level, placed about one to one and a half meters away from where you are sitting or standing.
Ask a family member or friend to take the picture for you rather than taking a selfie, because holding the camera yourself often distorts your facial proportions. After you capture a clear image, you can use the tool above to crop your photo to the precise 35×45 mm dimensions.
Printing and Submitting Your Photos
Some consular checklists require a recent 35×45 mm printed photo. Follow the checklist for your application location[1][2].
Take this template to a local photo printing kiosk and print it out just like an ordinary family snapshot. Cut out the 35×45 mm photo carefully using scissors or a paper cutter before adding it to your paperwork. Always double-check your local embassy instructions to confirm whether they require physical prints, digital uploads, or an in-person capture.
Common Reasons for Refusal
Application photos can be refused if they do not match the requested dimensions or if the lighting obscures your facial features. Blurry images, poor contrast, or incorrect framing often lead to processing delays at the visa office.
Because some checklists require a recent 35×45 mm printed photo while others rely on capture at the centre, any mismatch between your submitted items and local rules can cause issues. Always verify your local mission guidelines carefully. Taking your time during the photo-taking stage helps you present a clear application.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official photo size for a Swedish Schengen visa?
Do children need a visa photo?
What background color do I need for the photo?
One Swedish embassy checklist specifies a white background, though local post instructions can differ[1].
Where are biometric photos taken?
A biometric photo is also captured at the embassy or its application centre during the process[1].