Biometric
Biometric passport photo requirements
Biometric photos are designed for facial recognition at borders — strict geometry, neutral expression, and consistent lighting. Most European passports and Schengen visas use ICAO-style 35×45 mm specs with head height around 70–80% of the frame.
Example compliant crops
AI-generated illustrative portraits — not real applicants.
ICAO-style geometry
- 35×45 mm portrait frame (413×531 px @ 300 DPI typical)
- Head height 70–80% of photo height for many EU documents
- Eye line 55–70% from bottom of frame
- Plain light grey or white background
- Neutral expression, no glasses, direct gaze
Biometric vs US 2×2
US passport uses a square 51×51 mm format with a smaller head fraction (50–69%). That is still machine-readable but not the same template as Schengen. Never submit a US crop for a German passport application.
How PicsForm scores biometrics
Face detection anchors eye line and chin-to-crown measurement. We compare against the document’s headHeight and eyeLine bands, flagging hard failures before export. Identity lock ensures no facial retouching that would break matcher algorithms.
Official specifications
| Document | Schengen Visa |
|---|---|
| Country | Schengen / EU Visa |
| Dimensions (mm) | 35 × 45 |
| Pixels @ DPI | 413 × 531 @ 300 |
| Head height | 70–80% |
| Eye line from bottom | 55–70% |
| Background | light grey |
| Official source | View official guidance |
| Last verified | 2026-08-18 |
Common rejection reasons & fixes
Hard fail: Head height 62% — below Schengen 70% minimum
Crop tighter or move camera closer so chin-to-crown fills 70–80%
Hard fail: Face turned 15° to the side
Re-shoot facing camera directly — yaw beyond a few degrees fails ICAO checks
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
- Is every passport photo biometric?
- Most modern e-passports use biometric standards, but exact sizes vary — US square vs EU 35×45 mm.
- What is ICAO Doc 9303?
- The international guideline for machine-readable travel documents. Schengen regulation references compatible photo geometry.
- Do ears need to be visible?
- German passport specs note ears should be visible when possible; other countries do not always require it.
- Can I use a selfie for a biometric photo?
- Only if perspective and lighting are good. Wide-angle selfies fail eye-line placement — use a rear camera from 1–2 m.
Related guides
PicsForm matches published requirements; always confirm current rules on the official portal.