Netherlands Visa Photo Requirements (Free Tool)

To successfully apply for a Dutch visa, the completion of a mandatory, passport-style photograph is a vital requirement. The Dutch authorities impose strict conformity with official guidelines encompassing dimensions, illumination, the background, required facial expression and adherence to other specifications. Failure to meet any of these conditions may result in a deferral or denial of your visa application.

The VisaFast Netherlands Visa Photo Tool has been created to streamline this process, assuring compliance with Dutch official technical specifications using automated adjustments pertaining to scale, brightness, posture, background and presentation, rendering professional photographic studios and sophisticated digital enhancement unsuitable.

Netherlands Visa Photograph Specifications

The following details outline the official requirements for Dutch visa photographs:

• Dimensions: 35 mm x 45 mm
• Facial Width: A measurement of 16 mm to 20 mm (excluding ears) shall be required.
• Facial Length: Individuals aged 11 years and above must provide a facial length of 26 mm to 30 mm (from chin to the crown of the head), whilst those under 11 years of age should provide a facial length measurement of 19 mm to 30 mm.
• Photograph Age: Photos must have been taken within the last 6 months
• File Format: Accepted file formats are JPEG, JPG, or PNG, suitable for digital submissions.
• Print Resolution: Printed photographs must maintain a minimum resolution of 400 dpi.
• Colour Requirements: Photographs must be submitted in full colour.
• Background: The photograph’s background must be a solid light grey, light blue, or white, ensuring consistency and lack of shadows.
• Facial Presentation: The photograph must showcase a frontal, head-centered view with proper alignment to the camera lens.
• Expression: The subject must maintain a neutral facial expression with a completely closed mouth and fully open eyes directed straight at the camera.

Netherlands Visa Photo Specifications

Visa photos submitted to the Netherlands must adhere to precise dimensions: 35mm in width and 45mm in height (equivalent to 1.38 inches x 1.77 inches or 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm). The width of the frontal facial region, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (not including hair), needs to be between 27mm and 40mm.

To facilitate accurate facial recognition and verification processes, the area encompassing the face, determined by left and right sides relative to its size, should generally occupy 70% to 80% of the photograph’s overall extent.

Important: Photographs where the facial dimension falls outside the specified 27mm to 40mm range will be automatically denied.

Resolution

Photo resolution should be 400 dpi, so, 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

For applications to the Netherlands visa, digital photographs must be submitted in either JPG or JPEG format. The file size for each photograph must not exceed 120 KB. Applications will be rejected if files are submitted in formats other than JPG or JPEG, including but not limited to BMP, TIFF, GIF, or PDF. Photographs can be in color, black and white, or grayscale.

Photograph Specifications

Applicants are required to submit photographs that meet specific quality standards. Specifically, the photographs must be printed on paper with a minimum resolution of 600 dpi. Color accuracy is crucial, ensuring appropriate brightness, contrast, and natural skin tones are present.

The photograph must contain only the applicant, without any accompanying individuals or objects.

Note: Digital camera images must be submitted in high resolution with accurate color representation and should be printed on photographic paper, avoiding gloss finishes.

Netherlands Visa Photo Background

The photo background must be plain and light so that facial features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.

In the case of light coloured hair, a medium grey background is suitable and in the case of dark hair, light grey background is suitable. The background should not be patterned. And shadows on the background is not acceptable.

The Netherlands visa photo must not have any borders or extra margins. A clean, borderless image ensures it meets official formatting requirements and is suitable for biometric processing

Recent Photo

The photo must be taken within the last six 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.

Style and Lighting

Photographs must be taken with even lighting. Shadows, reflections and red-eye are not acceptable. The eyes in the photograph should be open and clearly visible. No hair across the face or eyes. Eyes must be in the upper half of the photograph (minimum distance between the center of the two eyes: 8mm)

Expressions and Frame

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

Spectacles:

Applicants wearing spectacles for medical reasons are required to present with clear vision, free from reflections and non-tinted lenses. Lenses should be designed to prevent glare and should not obstruct the view of the eyes, as reflections can compromise biometric data capture. The frames or lenses must not cover any portion of the eyes.

Head Covers

Head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons. They must be plain, pattern-free, and not obscure any facial features. The full face, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, must be visible, including the edges. Shadows on the face are not acceptable

Netherlands Visa Photo Specifications for Minor Applicants

• For applicants aged under nine years, the child’s face must occupy a minimum of 50% and a maximum of 80% of the photograph’s area.

• The measurement, from the base of the chin to the uppermost point of the head (excluding any hair), must be between 22mm and 36mm.

• Applicants aged under five years do not require a neutral facial expression or direct eye contact with the camera. Furthermore, the photographic frame does not need to have the child’s head perfectly centred.

• Photographs of children under the age of one year must feature open eyes.

• The complete photographic image should not include any extraneous items, such as hands, toys, chairs, or other individuals; the photograph must solely depict the child.

• The child’s face should be suitably illuminated. Ensure visibility.

Please note: If the child or infant requires support to maintain stability or a consistent viewpoint, the support mechanism must not be discernible within the photograph. Any supporting hand positioned for stability can be hidden beneath the child’s clothing.

Instructions for Utilizing the Netherlands Visa Photo Creation Tool

Below outlines the process for generating a compliant Netherlands visa photo using our provided tool:

1. Image Upload: Submit a recent photograph that adheres to Dutch passport photo specifications. Acceptable file types include JPEG, JPG, or PNG. Alternatively, you may capture an image directly utilizing your mobile device.

2. Initiate Transformation: Activate the ‘Transform’ function. This process automatically refines and adjusts your provided image to conform precisely to the requirements set forth by the Dutch government.

3. Download and Submit: Upon successful processing, download the generated image to accompany your Netherlands visa or identification application.

VisaFast facilitates the entire Netherlands visa application process, including seamless photo preparation and expeditious submission.

Netherlands Visa Photograph Requirements

Required Elements:

• Ensure your photograph is taken in ambient, even lighting – avoid direct sunlight or harsh shadows.
• Position your head centrally within the frame, maintaining a neutral facial expression.
• Utilize a background with an authorized color – variations in background shade should be limited.
• Confirm that your entire face is discernible within the image.

Prohibited Elements:

• Refrain from displaying any expressions of emotion, including smiles or tilted head positions.
• Do not incorporate hats, headscarves, or any other decorative headwear.
• Avoid utilization of digital image filters or editing applications before submission.
• Submissions must comprise photographs taken no earlier than 6 months