Applying for a German visa? You’ll need a biometric photo that meets strict Schengen specifications — typically 35x45 mm (3.5x4.5 cm). A single error in size, background, or facial expression can delay your visa application. PhotoGov makes it simple: take a selfie on your phone and get a fully compliant Germany visa photo in just a few clicks. Ready for print or digital submission, guaranteed.
Source: official website www.germany.info
Lighting: Use natural or soft artificial light. Avoid shadows or direct sunlight.
Background: Stand against a plain white or very light wall.
Distance: Hold your phone or camera at eye level, about 1.5 m away.
Framing: Your face should occupy 70–80% of the image.
Posture: Sit or stand straight, keep a neutral expression.
With PhotoGov, even an ordinary selfie becomes an embassy-compliant biometric photo.
Use PhotoGov to generate your Germany visa photo at home — just follow these quick steps:
Select the Document Type.
Pick "Germany Visa – 35x45 mm" from the PhotoGov document list.
Capture the Photo.
Stand 1.5–2 meters from the camera. Use soft lighting and a light wall.
Upload Your Photo.
Submit your photo for analysis and automatic background check.
Optimize and Edit.
Our system will crop, resize, clean the background, and enhance sharpness.
Download and Submit/
Get digital and printable versions ready for visa submission.
*Data from government agencies
Neutral – no smiling or frowning
Fully open, directly facing the camera
Centered, straight, not tilted
Glasses - Not allowed, Head coverings - Only for religious reasons – must not hide facial features
Dark or medium-tone clothing, no white tops. No hats, jewelry, or headphones
Even and shadow-free across face and background
Below are examples of correct and incorrect photos
If you don’t want to go through the trouble and expense of locating and hiring a professional photographer to take your picture, you can simply take your own from home. So long as you follow the below instructions carefully, you can capture the perfect visa photo yourself:
Open up the PhotoGov.net photo service and take your picture. Make sure you’re not wearing any headcovers or glasses, do not wear a uniform, and keep your expression neutral. Ensure that the area is well-lit and that you are standing against a neutral background.
Watch "How to take a photo" (00:46)
Next, upload your image and process it through our site.
Finally, you can download your ID photo. These images can be printed off, or you can simply use them as digital photos.
Using passport-size (wrong format) instead of 35x45 mm
Wearing white tops that blend into background
Smiling or frowning
Glasses, shadows, or poor focus
Cropping too tightly or uneven framing
PhotoGov instantly checks and corrects every photo before download.
So long as you’re willing to put in the effort to take a good photograph, there’s nothing stopping you from taking your visa picture at home. Simply follow these steps:
So long as your smartphone has a good quality camera, you can certainly use it to take a picture for your visa. With that being said, however, selfies are not acceptable, so follow these steps:
When taking pictures of babies and children for visa, many of the same rules apply; for example, they must still adhere to the dress code, and the photograph must be high-quality and well-lit. With that being said, the State Department is generally more forgiving when it comes to the neutral expression requirement.
For slightly older babies:
Crops your image to exact 35x45 mm dimensions
Scales resolution and file size for embassy or digital upload
Clean white or light-gray background applied automatically
Enhances lighting, contrast, and alignment
While you can convert the size of pictures using a variety of methods, the best option is to use our visa photo tool - PhotoGov. That way, you can rest assured you’ll have a high-quality, properly sized end product, one that isn’t distorted or blurred by stretching or compressing.
Embassy-specific formatting for Germany visa photos
No need for a camera or photo studio
In digital and print-ready formats
Until your photo is perfect
With German and Schengen photo standards
If you have a digital photograph, unfortunately, you won’t just be able to print it out on printer paper. You specifically need a high-quality print on either matte or glossy photo paper. You can either achieve this by visiting any photo service or by using our tool to print your image off at home.
Well-known medicinal retail brands, namely Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid, proffer immediate passport photo solutions in-store. Do anticipate a charge, with most services priced around the $15 mark.
Shipping giants like UPS, FedEx, and adjacent shipping facilities also cater to passport photo needs, mirroring the services of typical drugstores. At a going rate of around $15, it stands as a worthy alternative if you're considering external providers for your passport imagery.
It's customary for post offices and agencies of a similar function to be equipped for passport applications, which includes offering photographic sessions. Maintaining the price consistency as observed earlier, you can typically expect a fee around the $15 ballpark.
Retail venues frequently host areas meant for passport photo shoots, assuring quality pictures in line with norms. Even though each establishment might set its own rate, you can usually anticipate a decent pricing range.
What is the size for a Germany visa photo?
Can I take a visa photo at home with my phone?
Are printed photos required?
Can I smile in the photo?
What if my photo gets rejected?
Other documents for the Germany
Germany
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