What background does a Schengen visa photo need in India?

White, for the German missions' checklist. Picproved's Schengen photo keeps a plain white or light grey background; choose white for an application in India.

Can I use my Indian passport photo for a Schengen visa?

Only if it is 35×45 mm, less than 6 months old and on a white background. Most Indian passport photos are a different size, so make a 35×45 mm print.

Does VFS take the photo at the centre?

VFS takes a digital photo for the biometric record, and some centres offer a paid photo service, but you still need the printed photo stuck on the form.

Schengen visa photo for Indians: 35×45 mm at VFS

Short answer: bring a 35×45 mm biometric photo on a white background, with the face 70% to 80% of the photo and no more than 6 months old, as the German checklist for India asks (VFS Global: Germany Schengen visa checklist for tourism (India)). VFS Global also takes your fingerprints and a digital photo at the centre (VFS Global India: at the Germany visa centre).

Read on the official pages below on 4 November 2026. Visa rules change, so check the official page before you apply.

How the photo is given	A 35×45 mm print with the form, plus biometrics at VFS
Photo rules	35×45 mm, light grey or white background: Schengen area Short-stay visa photo rules
All photo sizes	Visa photos for visiting the Schengen area

How it works from India

Fill in the visa form for the country you'll spend the most time in, print it and sign it (German Missions in India: Schengen visa at a visa application centre).
Stick on one 35×45 mm photo with a white background, 70% to 80% face, not older than 6 months (VFS Global: Germany Schengen visa checklist for tourism (India)). Other Schengen countries ask for the same size; check your country's checklist for how many.
Book a VFS Global appointment. You give 10 fingerprints and a digital photo there, unless you gave them in the last 59 months (VFS Global India: at the Germany visa centre).
Applying for France? Any VFS Global centre in India takes your file, and the consulate decides (France-Visas: apply for a visa in India).

Or make it at home. Picproved costs ₹199 for 3 photos (free while we launch) for one person's photo in every size you need, and it checks the size, background, head size and face rules before you save. The office still makes the final decision. Make your Schengen area Short-stay visa photo

Questions

What background does a Schengen visa photo need in India?: White, for the German missions' checklist. Picproved's Schengen photo keeps a plain white or light grey background; choose white for an application in India.
Can I use my Indian passport photo for a Schengen visa?: Only if it is 35×45 mm, less than 6 months old and on a white background. Most Indian passport photos are a different size, so make a 35×45 mm print.
Does VFS take the photo at the centre?: VFS takes a digital photo for the biometric record, and some centres offer a paid photo service, but you still need the printed photo stuck on the form.

Visa photos for Indians: other countries

Indian passport photo · OCI photo · All Indian documents