Photo for a Netherlands residence permit (verblijfsvergunning), MVV and passport in 2026: IND requirements for Ukrainians
Netherlands
In short. A photo for a Netherlands residence permit, MVV visa and passport must be colour, 35×45 mm, with the head (from chin to crown) measuring 26–30 mm for people aged 11 and over, a light grey/light blue/white background, no glasses, a neutral expression, and no older than 6 months.
- Photo size: 35×45 mm (width × height) — the same for the residence permit, MVV and passport.
- Head height from chin to crown: 26–30 mm for people aged 11 and over (for children under 11 — 19–30 mm).
- Face width: 16–20 mm (excluding the ears) — a specific Dutch requirement.
- Background: light grey, light blue or white, even, without shadows; resolution from 400 dpi.
- The photo must be no older than 6 months; neutral expression, mouth closed, no glasses.
Who applies and where
A Netherlands residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) gives you the right to live in the country for more than 90 days. Most Ukrainians entering for the first time first need an MVV visa — this is an entry visa (a type-D sticker in the passport). The MVV and residence permit applications are submitted at the same time — this is usually done by a sponsor in the Netherlands.
It matters where your photo is taken:
- Netherlands embassy/consulate abroad (MVV): you bring your own paper photo of 35×45 mm, a valid passport and a completed form. Your signature and fingerprints are taken there as well.
- IND desk / Service Point in the Netherlands (biometrics for the residence permit): the IND takes the digital photo itself. Submitting biometrics is free of charge. Do not wear fully white or light grey clothing — the background is shot in light grey.
Official IND photo requirements (2026)
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (width × height) |
| Head height (chin–crown), 11+ | 26–30 mm |
| Head height, children under 11 | 19–30 mm |
| Face width (excluding ears) | 16–20 mm |
| Background | light grey, light blue or white; plain, even |
| Resolution | minimum 400 dpi |
| Photo age | no older than 6 months on the date of submission |
Head: look straight into the camera, head not tilted, eyes on the same horizontal line, head centred and fully within the frame.
Facial expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open.
Glasses: remove them if possible. If you wear glasses — your eyes must be fully visible, the lenses clear, without reflections or distortions.
Lighting: even, without over- or under-exposure, without shadows on the face or background, without reflections on the face.
Quality: colour, sharp, with sufficient contrast and detail, without retouching.
Headwear: permitted only for religious reasons, must be plain, contrast with the background and not cover the face.
Most common reasons for rejection
- Background with shadows, spots or the wrong colour.
- Shadow under the nose/chin caused by side or top lighting.
- Smiling, visible teeth, tilted head, looking to the side.
- Head too large/too small (breaching the 26–30 mm range).
- Reflections on the lenses of glasses or eyes not fully visible.
- Photo older than 6 months or retouched.
Related guides
Official sources
Questions
- What size is the photo for a Netherlands residence permit?
- 35×45 mm (width × height). The head height from chin to crown is 26–30 mm for people aged 11 and over, and the face width is 16–20 mm excluding the ears.
- Can you have your photo taken wearing glasses?
- It is better to remove them. If you keep your glasses on — your eyes must be fully visible, the lenses clear, without reflections or distortions. Dark or tinted glasses are prohibited.
- Where do Ukrainians have their photo taken for the MVV and residence permit?
- For the MVV you bring your own 35×45 mm photo to a Netherlands embassy/consulate abroad. For the residence permit biometrics in the Netherlands, the digital photo is taken free of charge by the IND itself at a desk or Service Point.
- What should the background be and how long is a photo valid?
- The background must be light grey, light blue or white, plain and even. The photo must be no older than 6 months on the date the application is submitted.