Belgium Visa Photo Requirements (No-Login Required)

Submitting a suitable passport photograph is a critical step in obtaining a Belgium visa. Non-compliance with official photography specifications can lead to application processing delays or complete rejection.

The VisaFast Belgium Visa Photo Maker is designed to simplify this process by automatically customizing your photograph, ensuring it aligns with current Belgian visa guidelines regarding size, background, and formatting. This functionality reduces potential errors, saving you time and mitigating stress associated with fulfilling precise requirements.

Below is a detailed overview of the official Belgium Schengen visa photo specifications:

Belgium Visa Photo Standards and Specifications

The following details the required photographic standards for a Belgium visa application:

• Dimensions: The photograph must be between 35mm and 45mm in width.
• File Size Limit: The image file should be no larger than 120 KB.
• Accepted Formats: Only JPG, JPEG, and PNG file formats are accepted.
• Background: A plain white background is mandatory.
• Face Proportion: The area of the face within the photograph should represent approximately 80% of the total image.
• Borderline: Photographs must not include any distinct borders or edges.
• Recency: The photograph must have been taken within the last 3 months – 6 months .
• Facial Presentation: The image must be a full frontal view, with the applicant looking directly at the camera.
• Image Clarity: The photograph requires a sharp, in-focus image.
• Expression: The subject must maintain a neutral facial expression, without smiling.

Important: The VisaFast visa photo tool automatically adheres to these aforementioned specifications, simplifying the application process and ensuring compliance for all applicants, including minors.

Specifications for Belgium Visa Photos:

Belgium visa photographs must adhere to specific size and dimensional requirements: The photograph must measure 35mm in width and 45mm in height (1.38 x 1.77 inches, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm). Facial dimensions are also governed by strict standards, with the face, measuring from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (excluding hair), requiring a horizontal measurement between 27mm and 40mm; and occupying 70% to 80% of the photograph’s total area to allow for proper processing.

Furthermore, the dimensions should maintain a 3:4 aspect ratio. The following pixel dimensions are acceptable:

• Minimum dimensions are 240 x 320 pixels.

Photographs failing to meet these specifications, particularly with regard to facial measurements outlined previously to standards of no less than 27mm by no more than 40mm , will be automatically rejected.

Resolution

Photo resolution should be 400 dpi. When the image is scanned or uploaded, check this parameter carefully. However, the higher the resolution, the bigger the picture. 

The photo must be in sharp focus, clear, undamaged and of high quality with no ink marks or creases

Requirements for Digital Photos

When completing online visa applications for Belgium, all submitted photographs must be in either JPG or JPEG format. The file size should be limited to 120 kilobytes. Submitting documents in formats other than JPG or JPEG, including but not limited to BMP, TIFF, GIF, or PDF, will likely result in the rejection of the visa application. Photos may be black, white, or colour.

Photograph quality

The photo must be printed on high-quality paper with a resolution of at least 600 dpi [if clicked on a digital camera]. The colour photograph must have proper colour balance (appropriate brightness and contrast) and show natural skin tone. 

The photograph must show only the applicant [no other persons or objects in the photograph].

Note: Digital camera photographs must be high-quality, in colour, and printed on photo-quality paper, preferably not glossy.

Photo Specifications for Belgian Visa Applications

The digital photograph submitted for a Belgian visa application requires a plain, light-colored background in order to ensure clear facial recognition and sufficient contrast.

Specifically, applicants with light hair should submit a photograph against a medium grey background. Conversely, individuals with darker hair should utilize a light grey background. The background material must be a solid color and shall not contain any patterns or shadows.

Furthermore, the photograph must be borderless and lack any additional margins to comply with official biometric processing specifications.

Recent Photo:

The photo must be taken within the last 6 months to accurately reflect your current appearance. If there have been any noticeable changes, such as a drastic haircut or significant alteration to facial hair, a new photo may be required to avoid delays or issues with identification.

Photographic Requirements

All submitted photographs must be captured in environments with consistent illumination. Undesirable effects such as shadows, reflections, and red-eye are not permitted.

The photograph’s image must feature visible, unoccluded eyes. Facial hair and any covering of the eyes are prohibited.

The image must ensure the eyes are positioned within the upper two-thirds of the photograph, with a minimum distance interval of 8 millimeters between the centers of the eyes.

Expressions and Frame

You should show your face square on to the camera, no portrait style (not looking over one’s shoulder) or tilted and showing both edges of the face clearly. The facial expression must be neutral, with the mouth closed, and the person looking directly at the camera.

Glasses:

Applicants requiring glasses due to medical conditions are required to demonstrate clear visibility of their eyes, free of reflections or tinted lenses. Optical corrections must not produce glare or obstruct vision sufficiently to impede biometric scan accuracy. The edges of eyeglasses or lenses must not conceal any portion of the eye.

Head Coverings

Head coverings are permitted solely for recognized religious observance or legitimate medical requirements. The coverings must consist of a single, uniform color or design lacking intricate patterns. Furthermore, head coverings must not impede or mask any portion of the face, commencing at the base of the chin and extending to the browline. Complete visibility of the face is required; therefore, any shadow falling across the facial area will be rejected.

Belgium Visa Photo Sample:

Belgium Visa Photograph Specifications for Minors

• For applicants younger than nine years of age, the child’s face should occupy a visual area ranging from 50% to 80% of the total photograph.

• The vertical measurement, extending from the bottom of the chin to the crown of the head (excluding any hair), must measure between 22mm and 36mm.

• Applicants under the age of five are not required to display a neutral expression, maintain direct eye contact with the camera, or have their head positioned centrally within the photograph. Additionally, images of children under one year of age do not mandate open eyes.

• Images of children under one year in age must feature fully open eyes.

• The photographic composition should encompass solely the child, without inclusion of hands, toys, chairs, or other individuals within the frame.

• It is essential that the child’s face exhibits clarity and an unobstructed forward-facing perspective.

Important Consideration: If the child requires support, the supporting hand must be entirely concealed from view; the hand may be placed discreetly beneath the child’s clothing.

How to Use the Belgium Visa Photo Maker Tool?

Applying for a Belgian visa? Ensure your photo meets all the official requirements with this simple and reliable tool:

1. Photograph Submission

Please upload a photograph from your device, ensuring it is saved in JPEG, JPG, or PNG format. Alternatively, you may capture a new selfie at the application center.

2. Optimization for Visa Requirements

Utilize the transformation tool to automatically modify your photograph, ensuring it conforms to the official visa specifications for Belgium. This includes cropping, resizing, and adjustments as dictated by Belgian immigration authorities.

3. Obtaining and Submitting Your Photo

Following photo preparation, obtain a Belgium visa-compliant digital version and securely upload it as part of your visa application. This process is designed to be efficient, precise, and minimize applicant inconvenience.

Do’s and Don’ts of Belgium Visa Photo

Requirements for Photographs:

• Provide a photograph that has been taken within the last 6 months days.
• The photograph must feature a light background and even illumination.
• The subject’s face must be centered and fully visible within the frame.
• Submit the photograph as a JPEG file, with a maximum size of 120 KB and an aspect ratio of 3:4.
• Maintain a neutral facial expression, without any smiles.
• Wear ordinary, everyday clothing.
• For applications involving children, include a photograph of the child even when accompanied by a parent’s passport.
• Ensure the image resolution is 300 dpi to guarantee optimal print quality.

 Don’ts:

• Don’t tilt your head or look sideways

• Don’t wear hats, caps, or headgear (unless for religious purposes)

• Don’t submit blurry, shadowy, or overexposed images

• Don’t use filters, editing, or digital retouching

• Don’t wear sunglasses or eyeglasses with glare/reflection

• Don’t use BMP, PNG, TIFF, or GIF file formats

• Don’t exceed the 120 KB file size limit

• Don’t include toys, hands, or other people in children’s photos