🇮🇩 → 🇪🇺

Schengen Visa Photo from Indonesia (35×45mm)

Updated May 2026 · For applicants from Indonesia

⚠ Red background NOT accepted by Schengen

Indonesian visa and ID photos often use a red background (required for e-KTP and some immigration documents). Schengen requires light grey or white background only. Red is rejected outright. Get a separate Schengen photo with correct background.

Schengen visa photos are 35×45 mm with light grey or white background, per ICAO 9303. The spec is identical at every VFS Global Schengen visa centre in Indonesia — Jakarta (main), Bali (Denpasar), Surabaya, and Medan.

Spec at a glance

Size	35 × 45 mm
Pixels (300 DPI)	413 × 531 px
Background	Plain light grey OR white (NOT red)
Face height (chin to crown)	32 - 36 mm (70-80% of frame)
Glasses	Not allowed (banned 2016)
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed
File format (online portal)	JPEG, 50 KB - 10 MB
Photo age	Last 6 months

VFS Global Schengen visa centres in Indonesia

Jakarta — main centre, Greater Jakarta area, central Java
Bali (Denpasar) — Bali island and eastern Indonesia, popular for tourist visa applications
Surabaya — East Java region
Medan — Sumatra region

Where to get the photo in Indonesia

VFS Global on-site photo service (IDR 80,000-150,000). Photographer knows Schengen 35×45 mm grey/white spec.
Local studio (IDR 30,000-80,000). Specify "Schengen visa 35×45 mm, light grey OR white background (NOT red)". Indonesian studios default to red or white.
Free online tool at home (IDR 0). IDPhotoSnap Schengen tool — 35×45 mm с correct grey/white background.

Common rejection reasons for Indonesian applicants

Red background — most common rejection. Indonesian default that fails Schengen.
Off-white tinted background — Indonesian studios sometimes use off-white that has visible tint; Schengen requires pure.
Glasses worn — banned 2016.
Face too small in frame — must be 70-80% (32-36 mm chin to crown).
Smiling or open mouth — strict neutral.
Photo too old — must be within last 6 months.

Country-specific Schengen pages

🇩🇪 German Schengen visa 🇫🇷 French Schengen visa 🇮🇹 Italian Schengen visa 🇪🇸 Spanish Schengen visa 🇳🇱 Dutch Schengen visa 🇪🇺 Generic Schengen

Frequently asked questions

What is the Schengen visa photo size for Indonesian applicants?

Schengen visa photos are 35×45 mm with a plain light grey or white background, per the ICAO 9303 biometric standard. The format applies at every Schengen consulate worldwide and at every VFS Global visa application centre in Indonesia — Jakarta (main), Bali (Denpasar), Surabaya, and Medan.

Why does my Indonesian passport photo get rejected at the Schengen visa centre?

The most common rejection reason for Indonesian applicants is background colour. Indonesian visa and passport photos often use RED or off-white backgrounds (red is required for some Indonesian government documents). Schengen requires plain light grey OR plain white. Red or coloured backgrounds are rejected outright. Get a separate photo with grey or white background for the Schengen application.

What backgrounds are used for Indonesian vs Schengen photos?

Indonesian visa and ID photos commonly use white or red backgrounds (red is the default for Indonesian e-KTP and some immigration documents). Schengen visa requires plain light grey or pure white only — red is NEVER accepted. Some Indonesian passport photos use white background which is closer to Schengen, but always verify before submission.

Where can I get a Schengen visa photo in Indonesia?

Three options: (1) VFS Global on-site photo service in Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, or Medan at IDR 80,000-150,000. Photographer knows Schengen 35×45 mm grey or white background spec. (2) Local studio at IDR 30,000-80,000 — specify "Schengen visa 35×45 mm, light grey OR white background (NOT red)". Indonesian studios default to red or white backgrounds and need explicit instructions for grey. (3) Free online tool at home — IDPhotoSnap generates a Schengen-compliant 35×45 mm photo with correct background.

Where are VFS Global Schengen visa application centres in Indonesia?

VFS Global operates Schengen visa application centres in four Indonesian cities: Jakarta (main, serves Greater Jakarta area), Bali / Denpasar (serves Bali and eastern Indonesia), Surabaya (serves East Java and central regions), and Medan (serves Sumatra). All four accept the same 35×45 mm Schengen visa photo spec.

Can I wear glasses in a Schengen visa photo?

No. Schengen biometric rules prohibit glasses in visa photos since 2016. Remove them for the photo session. Religious head covering is permitted as long as facial features (chin to forehead, both sides of face) are clearly visible.

How many photos do I need at the VFS Global Schengen appointment in Indonesia?

Most Schengen consulates require 2 identical photos at the VFS Global biometric appointment, plus a digital upload via the online application portal. Some consulates accept Bali / Denpasar tourists with shorter requirements. Bring 2 to be safe.

What is the file size limit for online Schengen visa portal upload from Indonesia?

Most Schengen consulates accept JPEG files between 50 KB and 10 MB for online application portals. Recommended: 600×600 to 1200×1500 pixels at JPEG quality 80-95. IDPhotoSnap exports a portal-ready JPG that meets these limits automatically.

Free Schengen visa photo tool

Generate 35×45 mm Schengen-compliant photo with grey or white background. Free, browser-only.

Open Schengen tool →