France Visa Photo Requirements for UK Applicants

Applying for a France visa from the UK? The good news: the photo size is exactly the same — both UK passports and France visas use 35x45mm. The not-so-good news: the background colour and glasses rules are different, and these small differences catch British applicants off guard at VFS Global.

Same Size — But Two Critical Differences

British applicants often assume their UK passport photo will work for a France visa because the dimensions match. The size is right, but two things are different:

1. Background: Cream vs Grey/Blue

UK passports accept “light grey or cream.” Many UK passport photos have a noticeably warm, slightly yellowish background — that is cream. France’s Schengen standard specifies light grey or light blue. A cream-toned background could be flagged at VFS Global. If your existing photo has any warmth to the background, take a new one with a neutral grey or pale blue.

2. Glasses: Banned vs Allowed

UK passport photos have banned glasses since 2016. France allows prescription glasses in visa photos, as long as there is no glare on the lenses and both eyes are clearly visible. This does not mean you must wear glasses — just that you are not required to remove them as you are for a UK passport.

Post-Brexit: Which Visa Do You Need?

Before Brexit, British citizens could live and work freely in France. Now, any stay beyond 90 days in a 180-day period requires a visa. France is the most popular destination for British expats in continental Europe, and these are the most common routes:

Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) For retirees and self-funded stays. Requires proof of sufficient income or savings and private health insurance. Popular with British retirees who previously lived in France under EU freedom of movement.

Long-Stay Work Visa (VLS-TS Salarie) For employment with a French company. Your employer typically initiates the work permit process.

Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) For highly skilled workers, researchers, artists, and startup founders. Streamlined process for qualifying applicants.

Student Visa (VLS-TS Etudiant) For UK citizens enrolled in French universities or Grande Ecole programmes. Apply through Campus France first.

Short-Stay Schengen Visa (C Visa) For business trips or extended tourism beyond 90 days. Less common for UK citizens, who can usually manage within the 90-day visa-free window.

All visa types require the same photo: 35x45mm, light grey or light blue background, 2 identical prints.

Where to Apply: VFS Global and the French Consulate

VFS Global handles most France visa applications in the UK. They collect your documents and biometrics, then forward everything to the French consulate.

VFS Global locations:

• London — handles the majority of applications
• Edinburgh — serves Scotland and Northern England

French Consulate:

• London — direct applications accepted for some visa types

Start your application at france-visas.gouv.fr. The portal guides you through which visa type you need and generates your application form. Then book a VFS Global appointment to submit documents and biometrics.

Common Mistakes UK Applicants Make

1. Cream background instead of grey/blue. UK passport photos often have a warm cream background. France requires light grey or light blue. This subtle difference is the most common reason British applicants get flagged at VFS Global.

2. Bringing only 1 photo. UK passport renewals are mostly digital now, so many applicants forget they need physical prints. France requires 2 identical prints on photo-quality paper.

3. Not realising glasses are allowed. Because UK passport rules ban glasses, many Brits automatically remove them for visa photos. For France, you can keep prescription glasses on — just ensure no glare. This is not a mistake per se, but it is worth knowing.

4. Underestimating the Schengen 90-day rule. The 90-day limit applies across all 27 Schengen countries combined. Time spent in Spain, Italy, or Germany counts against your France allowance. If you frequently travel in Europe, you may need a long-stay visa sooner than you think.

5. Applying too late. Post-Brexit demand for France visas from UK citizens has surged. VFS appointment slots in London fill up 3-4 weeks in advance during peak months (January-April for retirees, June-August for students). Start the process well before your intended travel date.

What Is Allowed vs Forbidden

Where to Get France Visa Photos in the UK

If you use a high-street photo booth or shop, specify “French Schengen visa photo, 35x45mm, light grey or light blue background”. Most will recognise this as the standard Schengen format. Request 2 prints and check the background is not cream.

Timeline and Planning

For long-stay visa applicants (the most common post-Brexit route), plan your timeline carefully:

• 3-4 months before move: Gather financial documents, start france-visas.gouv.fr application, book VFS appointment
• 2-3 months before move: Take visa photos, finalise documents, attend VFS appointment
• 1-2 months before move: Wait for processing (allow extra time during peak season)
• 1-2 weeks before move: Collect your passport with visa from VFS

Peak periods are January-April (retirees planning summer moves) and June-August (students). VFS London appointments during these months can fill up 3-4 weeks in advance.