International passport (France): 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo, head 31.5–36 mm from chin to crown.
| Document | Photo size | Head, chin to crown | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| International passport | 3.5 × 4.5 cm | 31.5–36 mm | service-public.fr |
| Visa | 3.5 × 4.5 cm | 31.5–36 mm | france-visas.gouv.fr |
| Residence permit | 3.5 × 4.5 cm | 31.5–36 mm | service-public.fr |
Document photo requirements in France are the same for all types of documents except the visa, which has stricter requirements:
- ID card
- Passport
- Residence permit
Photo for documents in France
45 mm
35 mm
- Source: Public Service
- Size: Photo size 35 x 45 mm. A color photo is highly recommended.
- Who takes the photo: For the ID card and the passport the photo must be taken by an approved professional photographer or in a photo booth using a system approved by the Ministry of the Interior. A residence permit is applied for on ANEF with an e-photo code, which only such a photographer or booth issues. A photo you take yourself is not accepted for these documents — use the generator to check the size and framing before your shoot. The visa photo below is not affected.
- General requirements: The person should look directly into the camera, with a neutral facial expression and a closed mouth. The face should be sharp and clear, the eyes should be clearly visible and open. The hair should not cover the face (the bangs do not cover the eyes), the ears are visible.
- Photo quality: The photo must be clear and free of damage or defects. The photo must be neither underexposed nor overexposed and must have the correct contrast. The photo should not have shadows on the face or background.
- Head size and Orientation: The face should cover 70–80% of the photo from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (excluding hair).
- Head coverings: The photo must be taken without headgear (no hat, scarf or headband).
- Eyeglasses: If you have glasses, you don't have to wear them in the photos. If you do wear them, the frame must not be thick or cover your eyes.
- Background: The background should be solid, light in color (for example, light blue or light gray). A white background is not allowed.
Photo for a French visa
45 mm
35 mm
- Source: France-Visas, the official visa website
- Size: The photo must be 35–40 mm wide.
- General requirements: The photograph must show you facing square on to the camera, not looking over one shoulder (portrait style) or tilted, and showing both edges of your face clearly. You must be alone (no chair back, toys or other people visible), looking at the camera with a neutral expression and your mouth closed. Keep your eyes open and clearly visible — no hair across your eyes.
- Photo quality: The photo must be taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows or flash reflection on your face and no red eye. The photograph must be in sharp focus and clear, have appropriate brightness and contrast, and neutral colour. It must be of high quality with no ink marks or creases. Photographs must be printed on photo-quality paper.
- Head size and Orientation: A close-up of your head and the top of your shoulders, so that your face takes up 70–80% of the photograph. Look directly at the camera. Your eyes must be open and clearly visible — no hair across your eyes.
- Head coverings: The photo must be taken without headgear (no hat, scarf or headband) except for religious reasons, but your facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of your face must be clearly shown.
- Eyeglasses: Show your eyes clearly with no flash reflection off the glasses and no tinted lenses (if possible, avoid heavy frames — wear glasses with lighter frames if you have them). Make sure that the frames do not cover any part of your eyes.
- Background: The background should be plain light-colored.
- Submit a recent photo, taken within 6 months.
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