Common print size
35 x 45 mm
Swedish mission and VFS checklists commonly request a portrait print 35 mm wide by 45 mm high.
Reviewed against Swedish, EU, and VFS guidance on 17 July 2026
Sweden visa photo requirements35 x 45 mm is the common printed size
Sweden issues short-stay visas through the Schengen process. Local Swedish mission and VFS checklists commonly request a recent 35 x 45 mm colour photo, but the number of prints and whether a photo is captured at the appointment depend on where you apply.
Free 35:45 ratio check
Check your Sweden Schengen visa photo crop ratio
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Choose a digital photo
We read only its pixel dimensions to compare the crop with the common 35 × 45 mm print ratio. The image is not uploaded, edited, or stored.
Common print
35 x 45 mm
Width x height, when a print is requested.
Photo age
No more than 6 months
It must show your current appearance.
Digital upload
No national pixel rule
Use the active portal or local checklist.
Check the country where you submit the application
Sweden can use VFS Global, a Swedish mission, or another Schengen country acting on Sweden's behalf. Those locations publish their own document lists. Do not assume that one photo quantity, background shade, pixel size, or upload method applies worldwide.
Direct requirements
Sweden Schengen visa photo rules at a glance
Photo age
Maximum 6 months
The image must be recent and remain a true likeness when the application is submitted.
Photo quantity
Check the local list
Current official examples differ: one location asks for one print and another asks for two.
Background
Plain, light, evenly lit
Avoid patterns, shadows, flash reflections, objects, and other people.
Pose
Full face, straight ahead
Keep the head upright and centred, with a neutral expression and the mouth closed.
Pixels and file size
No universal value
Sweden does not publish one applicant JPEG dimension or file-size rule for every visa location.
Submission route
A printed photo is common, but it is not always collected the same way
Apply through a local checklist
The Swedish Migration Agency tells applicants to use the checklist for the country where they apply. Another Schengen state may represent Sweden and set the intake details.
In-person biometric collection
EU Visa Code Article 13 allows the application photograph to be scanned or taken during biometric collection. A service centre can therefore capture it at the appointment.
Representative or print route
The central Swedish guide specifically asks for a recent front-facing photo when a representative applies. Local lists commonly specify a 35 x 45 mm colour print.
Official quantity examples
One or two photos can both be correct
Quantity is an intake requirement, not a universal photo standard. These official Sweden Abroad examples show why the location must be checked before printing.
| Official location | Published request | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden Abroad, Zambia | One 35 x 45 mm colour photo | Use one only when this is your active list |
| Sweden Abroad, Iceland | Two 35 x 45 mm colour photos | Use two only when this mission handles the case |
| Swedish central guidance | Photo listed for representative applications | Expect local biometric intake for other routes |
Quality and appearance
Use a natural, current, front-facing photograph
Face and expression
Show the full face from straight ahead. Keep a neutral expression and close the mouth.
Eyes and glasses
Both eyes must be visible. Avoid glare, tint, and frames that cover the eyes.
Background and light
Use a plain light background with even light and no shadow or reflection.
Children
Every applicant needs a photo. Under-12 fingerprint exemption does not remove it.
Background replacement policy
Prepare the photo, then follow the local checklist
The reviewed sources do not publish a ban on background replacement, so PassPhoto can replace the background and prepare a 35 x 45 mm crop without changing the applicant. It cannot tell whether your location requires one print, two prints, or appointment capture. Confirm that before using the final photo.
Questions
Sweden visa photo FAQ
What size is a Sweden visa photo?
A 35 x 45 mm portrait print is the common Sweden Schengen visa format in official Swedish mission and VFS checklists. It is 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Always follow the checklist for the embassy, consulate, representative Schengen country, or visa centre that will receive your application.
What is the Sweden visa photo size in pixels?
Swedish central visa guidance does not publish one universal applicant pixel size. A 35 x 45 mm print is approximately 413 x 531 pixels at 300 PPI or 827 x 1063 pixels at 600 PPI, but those are mathematical print-production conversions rather than national online-upload requirements.
Do I need one or two photos for a Sweden visa?
Check the location-specific document list. A current Sweden Abroad checklist for Zambia asks for one 35 x 45 mm colour photo, while Sweden Abroad guidance for Iceland asks for two. The authority or service centre handling the application controls the quantity.
Do I need a printed photo if I apply in person?
Not always. The Swedish Migration Agency says the application photograph can be scanned or taken when biometric identifiers are collected, and its central preparation list specifically mentions bringing a photo when a representative applies. Local embassy and VFS checklists can still require a 35 x 45 mm print, so check the exact location before the appointment.
How recent must a Swedish visa photo be?
Official Swedish visa guidance says the photo must be no more than six months old and taken straight from the front. It must still be a true likeness of the applicant.
Can I smile in a Sweden Schengen visa photo?
Use a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Look directly at the camera and keep both eyes open and clearly visible. This follows the ICAO-style baseline used for Schengen application photos.
Can I wear glasses or a head covering?
Clear glasses are safest only when the eyes are fully visible with no glare, tint, or frame obstruction. Swedish mission guidance permits a religious head covering only when it does not cover any part of the face. Removing glasses reduces avoidable risk.
Do children need a Sweden visa photo?
Yes. Official Swedish mission checklists include minors in the photo requirement. Children under 12 are exempt from Schengen fingerprint collection, but not from the facial photograph used in the visa application.
Should I bring a printed photo to a Sweden visa appointment?
That depends on the intake location. Some Swedish missions and visa centres ask for a recent 35 x 45 mm photo, while some equipped locations capture the image during the appointment. Follow the checklist and appointment instructions for the office handling your application.
Can PassPhoto replace the background of a Sweden visa photo?
The reviewed Swedish, EU, and authorised-centre sources require a plain light background but do not publish a ban on background replacement. PassPhoto can replace only the background and prepare a 35 x 45 mm crop. A local checklist that requires appointment capture or gives a stricter instruction takes priority.
Can PassPhoto guarantee that my Sweden visa photo will be accepted?
No. PassPhoto can prepare the background and common 35:45 crop, but it cannot measure a physical print, verify every ICAO detail, replace the location-specific checklist, print, submit, or guarantee acceptance. The receiving authority decides.
Sources reviewed