Passport photo requirements for a visa
The passport photo in a passport, identity card, Schengen visa or driver's license must meet a number of requirements.
There are requirements for: dimensions, photo quality, background, display, posture, expression, glasses, lighting and positioning.
Sizing
Passport photo size: Fixed size: 35 mm x 45 mm (width x height).
Face width: From ear set to ear set between 16 mm and 20 mm.
Face length: From 11 years: from chin to crown minimum 26 mm and maximum 30 mm.
Up to and including 10 years: from chin to crown a minimum of 19 mm and a maximum of 30 mm.
photo quality
Requirements for the quality of the passport photo: in colour; resembling; natural rendering; sharp., Sufficient contrast and detailed. Undamaged; no copy; not edited; printed on high-quality, smooth photo paper; minimum 400 dpi resolution.
Display face
Requirements for the representation of the face in a passport photo: head uncovered; face fully visible;
eyes fully visible. Ears do not have to be visible, as long as the width of the face is visible.
Attitude
Requirements for the posture of a person in a passport photo: head straight forward; eyes on a horizontal line; head not tilted; shoulders straight; no visible support.
Expression face
Requirements for the expression of the face in the passport photo: neutral look; looking straight into the camera;
mouth closed.
Glasses
Requirements for the way in which the person in the passport photo wears glasses: eyes fully visible; completely translucent glasses; no disturbing reflection through the glasses; no shade.
Exposure
Requirements for the lighting of the passport photo: even; no under or over exposure; no shadow in the face or in the background; no reflection in the face; no reflection from accessories.
Positioning
- Requirements for the positioning of the face on the passport photo: head fully depicted; head centered.
- Exception: religious or ideological reasons. Is it not allowed to leave your head uncovered for religious or ideological reasons? Then you may cover your head.
- Exception: children under 6: Children under 6 do not have to meet the following requirements: Posture: 'eyes open on a horizontal line', 'head tilted' and 'shoulders straight'; Expression: 'neutral gaze', 'looking straight at the camera' and 'mouth closed'
Allowed or not?
- Beard: Yes
- Wig: Yes
- Change of hairstyle: Yes
- Long Bangs: Yes, but not too long; eyes and face must be fully visible
- Child with eyes closed: No
- Occasional glasses: Yes. The applicant may choose whether or not to wear glasses
- Probe: Yes
- Lipstick or other makeup: Yes
- Piercings or tattoo(s) in face: Yes
- Earrings: Yes
- Cap or cap: No, only cover your head for religious or ideological reasons
- Same photo as in previous document: Preferably not
