Crop a photo to 35 × 45 mm — Netherlands Schengen visa

Exact numbers for this document

What this document is

A Schengen visa (type C) is a short-stay visa for trips within the Schengen area. Under the EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, it covers stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period. A longer stay needs a national type D visa or a residence permit.

How to crop it, in three steps

1. 01

   Upload a photo taken face-on, in even light

2. 02

   The tool finds the face and aligns the frame itself — check that the head lands in 58–67%

3. 03

   Save the 35 × 45 mm result — print it or attach it to the application

What we fix for free, and what AI fixes

Glare on the lenses. Take the glasses off or turn away from the light source and shoot again.

Why these photos get rejected — and how to fix each one

Netherlands-specific things to know

• The Netherlands does not describe the visa photo in its own words — it points to «Dutch passport requirements», so the Dutch passport photo specification is the rule.
• The Dutch face length is 26–30 mm from chin to crown (ages 11 and above), shorter than the 32–36 mm of the ICAO template, and the background may be light grey, light blue or white.
• Makeup, earrings, facial piercings and a long fringe (with the eyes and face visible) are expressly permitted; ears do not have to be visible if the width of the face is.

Printing on a single sheet

Where these numbers come from

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands — Dutch embassies and the Dutch government's photo specification (Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations). Last checked against the official page on 1 Oct 2026.

What the source confirms

• Dutch visa checklist «Checklist for a visa application | Tourism» (Dutch visa application centre, USA): applications are submitted in person, also for babies and children; for every document the original and one copy; the documents in Dutch, English, French or Spanish; «4. Photo. 4.1 A passport photo that meets Dutch passport requirements. This photo cannot have been taken more than 6 months ago and must bear a clear resemblance. See: photo guidelines.»; the passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the date of leaving the Schengen area, have at least 2 empty visa pages and not have been issued more than 10 years ago.
• NetherlandsWorldwide, «Photo requirements for Dutch passports and identity cards», the dimensions and the quality: «Standard format: 35 mm x 45 mm (width x height). Width of face: between 16 mm and 20 mm from ear to ear. Length of face: ages 11 and above: between 26 mm and 30 mm from chin to crown; ages 10 and under: between 19 mm and 30 mm from chin to crown»; a colour photo — black and white photos are not allowed; a true likeness and no more than six months old; a natural representation; a sharp image with sufficient contrast and detail; undamaged; not a reproduction (copy); unaltered by computer software; printed on high-quality, smooth photo paper; minimum 400 dpi resolution.
• Same page, the lighting, position and background: even lighting, not over- or underexposed, with no shadow or reflection on the face or in the background and no reflection caused by accessories; the head facing forward with the eyes horizontally aligned, the head not tilted and the shoulders straight; the background light grey, light blue or white, plain, all one colour, of uniform colour (no fade) and with sufficient contrast with the head.
• Same page, glasses, appearance and expression: for glasses the eyes fully visible, fully transparent lenses and no glare or shadow; the head uncovered with the face and eyes fully visible — «Ears do not have to be visible, as long as the width of the face is visible»; a neutral expression, looking straight at the camera, with the mouth closed; if a person's religion or belief does not allow the head to be uncovered, the head covering must be plain, in one colour only and contrast with the background; babies and children under 6 are exempt from the position and expression requirements; physical or medical reasons may be backed by a medical declaration.
• Same page, what is permitted: a beard, a wig, a different hairstyle, a long fringe (as long as the eyes and face are fully visible), glasses for people who wear them only occasionally (it is up to the applicant), a feeding tube, lipstick and other make-up, facial piercings and tattoos and earrings are permitted; a child with the eyes closed is not; a hat is not — head coverings of any sort only if religion or belief does not allow the head to be uncovered, or for medical treatment.
• Government.nl, «Photo specification guidelines 2020 — Criteria for accepting passport photos in Dutch travel documents» (publication of 18 June 2020): applicants for travel documents submit a colour passport photo that shows a true likeness; a photo is accepted only if it meets all the criteria of the leaflet, unless one of the exceptions applies.

IND biometrics appointment and Dutch photo requirements ↗

Questions people ask before cropping

Next steps

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