Does CVS Take Schengen Visa Photos? Size, Price and Printing Options

Quick answer: CVS can print a photo to Schengen visa dimensions (35 × 45 mm) at select locations, but their standard in-store passport photo service is built around the US passport/visa format (2 × 2 inches, or 51 × 51 mm) by default. If you walk in and simply ask for a "visa photo" without specifying the exact European size, there's a real chance you'll walk out with the wrong dimensions. The more reliable approach is to bring a pre-formatted digital file to CVS and use their standard photo printing service rather than their dedicated passport-photo counter.

What CVS Actually Offers

According to CVS's own photo services information, their in-store passport photo service is set up for the standard US format: a 2×2 inch (51×51mm) photo with the head measuring 25-35mm from chin to crown. CVS does note that visa photos for other countries are available in select locations, but the process defaults to the American specification unless the customer specifies otherwise — and even then, not every location's kiosk or staff training covers non-US formats like the Schengen 35×45mm size.

Other things to know about CVS's process:

• No appointment is needed for their standard passport photo service — you can walk in and be photographed at the counter
• Printed photos are typically ready within minutes of the photo being taken
• A digital copy is available at some locations for an additional few dollars
• Eyeglasses are not permitted in CVS's standard passport photo process, which aligns with most Schengen glasses restrictions, though you should still confirm details for the specific European spec you need

What It Costs

CVS's standard rate for two printed passport photos is typically in the $15-17 range, with the option to add a digital copy for a few dollars more. This pricing reflects their standard US-format service — if a location can produce the correct Schengen 35×45mm size, confirm the price separately, since it may not be identical to their default listed rate.

The Safer Way to Use CVS for a Schengen Photo

Rather than relying on the in-person passport photo counter to know the European specification, the more dependable approach is:

1. Format your photo online first. Use a tool that crops and sizes your photo to the exact 35 × 45 mm Schengen specification, with the correct head proportion and a compliant plain background.
2. Download the print-ready file. A properly formatted file typically arranges multiple copies on a single 4×6 print layout.
3. Use CVS's standard photo printing service — not their passport photo counter. Upload the file through the CVS Photo app or website like any other photo print order, or bring it in on a USB drive or via email to print in-store.
4. Pick up your prints, already correctly sized, without needing store staff to understand the Schengen format at all.

This works because the sizing problem is solved before the photo reaches CVS — you're only using them as a print shop for a file that's already correct, not asking them to get the crop and proportions right during an in-person photo session.

PhotoOmni generates exactly this kind of file: upload your photo, and it automatically formats it to the official 35 × 45 mm Schengen specification — correct head size, centering, and a clean plain-white background — then gives you a print-ready sheet you can send straight to CVS's standard printing service, sidestepping the in-store sizing risk entirely.

FAQ

Will every CVS location take a Schengen visa photo? Not necessarily. Visa photo services for non-US formats are only available at select locations, and even then, the process is built around the US format by default. Call ahead and specifically confirm they can produce a 35×45mm photo before relying on it.

Is it cheaper to print a pre-made file at CVS than to use their passport photo service? Often, yes — you're paying for a standard photo print rather than a dedicated passport-photo session, since the formatting work is already done before you arrive.

Can I wear glasses for a CVS passport photo? CVS's standard passport photo process does not permit glasses, which is broadly consistent with Schengen requirements unless you wear glasses as a consistent part of daily life — but confirm the specific rule for the format you need.

What if CVS gives me the wrong size photo? Measure the printed result before leaving the store. If it doesn't match 35×45mm exactly, ask the staff to redo it with the correct dimensions specified, or use the pre-formatted file approach instead to avoid the issue altogether.

Does Walgreens or Walmart have the same issue? Yes — the same default-to-US-format pattern applies broadly across US pharmacy and retail photo counters, since they're primarily built to serve US passport and ID photo demand.

Bottom Line

CVS can work for a Schengen visa photo, but only if you're specific about the size and confirm the location can actually produce it — their default process is built for the American format. The lower-risk approach is to arrive with a photo that's already correctly sized and let CVS handle only the printing.