head 58–67 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceIND / Government.nl
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Netherlands national visa (Type D) photo size is 35 × 45 mm. Plain light background; note: IND warns against clothing that blends with a light grey background. Head occupies 58–67% of photo height (26–30 mm chin to crown). Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 58–67% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Head height (mm) | 26–30 mm chin to crownICAO 9303: 32–36 mm |
| Background | Plain light background; note: IND warns against clothing that blends with a light grey background. |
| Pose | Full face, head centred. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows, overexposure, and reflections not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Fully white or light grey clothing is not recommended — the background is light grey. |
| 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 |
Netherlands visa photos are reviewed by consular officers who compare the submitted photo against biometric standards set by the issuing country. For digital applications, an automated pre-screening step checks the background colour, head position and file dimensions before the image reaches a human reviewer. Photos that fail the automated check are rejected immediately, without manual review.
Visa photos carry a higher rejection risk than passport photos because requirements vary by visa category — tourist, work, student and transit visas can each specify different dimensions or background rules. Always use the exact profile for your specific visa type rather than assuming one photo fits all Netherlands visa categories.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Netherlands national visa (Type D) applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
How to take it
Background: plain 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: 58–67 % of the photo height (26–30 mm)
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Clear lenses only, no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, eyes open
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 glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.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.
| Authority | IND / Government.nl |
|---|---|
| Source | IND biometrics appointment and Dutch photo requirements |
| Verified |
Questions
The recommended size for the Netherlands national visa (Type D) photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 58–67% of the photo height. Many consulates also require a specific digital file size — see the spec table above for full details.
Plain light background; note: IND warns against clothing that blends with a light grey background. 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 Netherlands 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.
Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections. 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.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: EU blue card, EU long-term residence permit, refugee travel document, residence card, residence card for family member of an EU citizen, Schengen visa.