head 69–80 %no glasses
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14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceBelgian diplomatic missions and their visa centres (VFS Global, TLScontact)
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Belgium visa photo size is 35 × 45 mm. White or very light plain background without shadows or gradients. Head occupies 69–80% of photo height (31–36 mm chin to crown). Neutral expression, glasses prohibited. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 69–80% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Head height (mm) | 31–36 mm chin to crownICAO 9303: 32–36 mm |
| Background | White or very light plain background without shadows or gradients. |
| Pose | Full face, looking directly into the camera. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, teeth not visible. |
| Glasses | Glasses not permitted. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows, overexposure, and reflections not permitted. |
| Head covering | Head coverings not permitted. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
Belgium does not publish one visa-photograph page: the rules sit on the pages of its embassies and visa centres, and they agree on the essentials. A recent colour photograph of 35 × 45 mm (VFS Global India writes «35-45 mm in width»; the Embassy in Hong Kong and Macau «35 x 45 mm»), taken within the last six months, sharp and of high quality with no ink marks or creases, on a plain white background, the face taking up 70–80 % of the picture, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression and the mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible, no tinted lenses or frames over the eyes, no head covering except for religious reasons.
The Hong Kong embassy words the face as 25–35 mm hair included, and no glasses or hats. The number of prints depends on the visa: 2 for a short-term visa (non-VIS), 3 for a long-term visa or a short-term visa in a VIS case, 4 for a long-term visa for a child under 6 (VFS India).
At the TLScontact centre in Casablanca, where Moroccan applicants lodge Belgian visas, an ICAO photo booth is available (MAD 60).
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Belgium visa applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules Belgian diplomatic missions and their visa centres (VFS Global, TLScontact) publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Size not 35 × 45 mm, or a face outside 70–80 % (about 32–35 mm) | Print 35 × 45 mm with the head and top of the shoulders filling the frame. |
| Background not plain white, shadows, flash reflections or red-eye | Use a plain white background with even lighting and no flash on the face. |
| Photo older than six months, blurred, or with ink marks or creases | Take a new, sharp photo and print it on high-quality photo paper. |
| Tinted lenses, frames over the eyes, a hat or a non-religious head covering | Take off glasses and hats, or keep the eyes fully visible with clear lenses. |
| Head tilted or turned, mouth open, expression not neutral, or another person in the picture | Face the camera squarely, alone, mouth closed, neutral expression. |
How to take it
Background: white or light
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 69–80 % of the photo height (31–36 mm)
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Glasses prohibited
Take them off before the shot.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, teeth not visible
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glassesTake your glasses off — this document's rules require it.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
A Belgian visa is applied for at the Belgian embassy or consulate that covers your country, usually through the visa centre it names (VFS Global in India and many countries, TLScontact in Casablanca). The form is filled in first, then you attend with the number of photographs of your visa type; fingerprints are taken at the appointment.
Casablanca; an ICAO photo booth is available at the centre
Photographs of your visa type; the centre can take ICAO photos on the spot.
Authority pageThe one-page visa information of the centre in your country
2 photos for a short-term visa (non-VIS), 3 for a long-term visa or a VIS case, 4 for a long-term visa for a child under 6.
Authority page| Authority | Belgian diplomatic missions and their visa centres (VFS Global, TLScontact) |
|---|---|
| Source | Belgian visa photograph — Hong Kong embassy, VFS Global India, TLScontact Casablanca |
| Verified |
Questions
A recent colour photograph of 35 × 45 mm taken within six months, sharp and without ink marks or creases, on a plain white background, the face taking up 70–80 % of the picture, looking at the camera with a neutral expression and the mouth closed, eyes open and visible, no tinted lenses and no hat or head covering except for religious reasons.
35 × 45 mm: the Belgian embassy in Hong Kong and Macau writes «35 x 45 mm», while VFS Global India writes «35-45 mm in width». The face measures 70–80 % of the photo (VFS) or 25–35 mm hair included (Hong Kong), so aim for a face of about 32–35 mm.
It depends on the visa: 2 for a short-term visa (non-VIS), 3 for a long-term visa or a short-term visa in a VIS case, and 4 for a long-term visa when the applicant is under 6 (VFS Global India). Check the checklist of your visa type and bring one spare.
White: VFS Global India asks for «a plain white background», with uniform lighting and no shadows or flash reflections. The Hong Kong embassy adds that a photo with shadows or colour changes is not acceptable.
The Hong Kong embassy says no glasses and no hats. VFS Global India allows glasses only if the eyes are clearly visible with no flash reflection and no tinted lenses (frames not covering any part of the eyes), and head coverings only for religious reasons with the face visible from chin to forehead. The safest choice is to remove both.
The recommended size for the Belgium visa photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 69–80% of the photo height. Many consulates also require a specific digital file size — see the spec table above for full details.
White or very light plain background without shadows or gradients. The background must be evenly lit with no shadow gradients, especially around the head. Consular automated pre-screening rejects photos with any wall texture before the human reviewer ever sees the application.
Visa authorities typically require the photo to be taken within the last three to six months. Submitting an older photo, even one that looks similar to your current appearance, is a frequent cause of immediate consular rejection.
Not always. Tourist, work, student and transit visa categories sometimes specify different dimensions or background rules. Follow the requirements for your specific visa type rather than assuming one photo fits all Belgium visa applications.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the photo is the cause of rejection and you supply the consular rejection notice. We recommend keeping the consular receipt with rejection reason as proof.
Glasses not permitted. Consular automated checks flag glasses glare even when it is invisible to the human eye. Removing glasses entirely is the safest choice unless a medical exception is documented in your visa application.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 pixels.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: driver's license, passport.