Schengen Visa Photo from Vietnam (35×45mm)
Updated May 2026 · For applicants from Vietnam
⚠ Vietnamese passport size is WRONG for Schengen
Vietnamese passport photos are 40×60 mm. Schengen requires 35×45 mm. Not interchangeable. Get a separate Schengen photo before your VFS Global appointment in Hanoi or HCMC.
Schengen visa photos are 35×45 mm with light grey or white background, per ICAO 9303 biometric standard. The spec is identical at every VFS Global Schengen visa centre in Vietnam — Hanoi (main), Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.
Spec at a glance
| Size | 35 × 45 mm (NOT 40×60 Vietnamese passport) |
| Pixels (300 DPI) | 413 × 531 px |
| Background | Plain light grey or white |
| 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 Vietnam
- Hanoi — main centre, serves northern Vietnam, capital region
- Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) — serves southern Vietnam, Mekong Delta region
- Da Nang — serves central Vietnam
Where to get the photo in Vietnam
- VFS Global on-site photo service (VND 150,000-300,000). Photographer knows Schengen 35×45 mm spec.
- Local studio (VND 50,000-150,000). Specify "Schengen visa 35×45 mm, light grey or white background, ICAO biometric". Vietnamese studios default to 40×60 mm passport.
- Free online tool at home (VND 0). IDPhotoSnap Schengen tool — 35×45 mm Schengen-compliant + print-ready PDF.
Common rejection reasons
- Wrong size (40×60 mm Vietnamese passport) — most common rejection.
- Background colour wrong — Vietnamese studios sometimes use off-white tinted; Schengen needs plain grey or pure white.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
What is the Schengen visa photo size for Vietnamese 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 Vietnam — Hanoi (main), Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.
Why does my Vietnamese passport photo get rejected at the Schengen visa centre?
The most common rejection reason for Vietnamese applicants is size. Vietnamese passport photos are 40×60 mm (4×6 cm), while Schengen visa requires 35×45 mm. The two sizes are NOT interchangeable. Bringing a Vietnamese passport photo to a Schengen visa appointment fails the format check. Always get a separate 35×45 mm photo for Schengen.
Where can I get a Schengen visa photo in Vietnam?
Three options: (1) VFS Global on-site photo service in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City at VND 150,000-300,000. Photographer knows Schengen 35×45 mm spec. (2) Local studio at VND 50,000-150,000 — specify "Schengen visa 35×45 mm, light grey or white background, ICAO biometric". Vietnamese studios default to passport 40×60 mm and need explicit instructions. (3) Free online tool at home — IDPhotoSnap generates 35×45 mm Schengen-compliant photo.
Where are VFS Global Schengen visa centres in Vietnam?
VFS Global operates Schengen visa application centres in three Vietnamese cities: Hanoi (main, serves northern Vietnam), Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC, serves southern Vietnam and the Mekong Delta region), and Da Nang (serves central Vietnam). All three 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 if facial features (chin to forehead, both sides of face) are clearly visible.
How many photos do I need at the VFS Global appointment in Vietnam?
Most Schengen consulates require 2 identical photos at the VFS Global biometric appointment, plus a digital upload via the online application portal. Our print-ready PDF lays out 6 photos per A4 sheet — extra copies useful for multiple visa applications within 6 months.
I am applying to multiple Schengen countries — do I need different photos?
No. All 30 Schengen states accept the same 35×45 mm format with the same biometric rules. You can reuse the same photo for visa applications submitted within 6 months.
What is the file size limit for online Schengen visa portal upload from Vietnam?
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. Free, browser-only.
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