Physical size
35 × 45 mm
The NetherlandsWorldwide tourism checklist publishes 3.5 by 4.5 centimetres.
Reviewed against Dutch government and NetherlandsWorldwide guidance on 17 July 2026
Netherlands visa photo requirements35 × 45 mm, or live capture at your appointment
Bring-your-own-photo routes use the Dutch 35 × 45 mm standard. VFS, TLS, and other external service providers generally capture a digital image during the appointment, so start with the instructions for the country where you apply.
Background and crop only. PassPhoto never changes facial features or identity.
Bring-your-own route
35 × 45 mm
Colour and no more than six months old.
Age 11 and older
26–30 mm face
Chin to crown; 16–20 mm face width.
External provider route
Live digital capture
A prepared image may not be needed.
Netherlands alteration note
The full official Dutch standard requires a natural image that is unaltered by computer software. PassPhoto still allows background replacement, but keeps this note visible before you continue. Confirm that your route accepts a prepared image; when the service provider captures it live, use that appointment process instead.
Official Dutch standard
Rules for a photo you bring yourself
The visa checklist supplies the size, colour, recency, and background baseline. Its link to the complete Dutch requirements adds exact face framing, quality, pose, expression, lighting, and printing criteria.
Adult face height
26–30 mm
Measured from chin to crown for applicants aged 11 and older.
Face width
16–20 mm
Measured across the face, excluding the ears.
Background
White or light-coloured
The full Dutch standard permits plain light grey, light blue, or white.
Recency
No more than 6 months
It must be a current, natural, recognisable colour image.
Print quality
At least 400 DPI
The full standard also requires smooth, high-quality photo paper.
Choose the filing route first
Printed photo and appointment capture are different workflows
Embassy or consulate route
Bring a 35 × 45 mm original
The central tourism checklist asks for a colour image no more than six months old on a white or light-coloured background when a photo is submitted.
Official tourism checklistVFS, TLS, or other provider
Photo taken at the appointment
The checklist says applicants using an external service provider do not submit a photo because a digital photo will be taken at your appointment.
Authorised UK checklistCountry-specific process
Follow your residence country
NetherlandsWorldwide directs applicants to country-specific steps. Finland, for example, currently sends applicants to the embassy with the central checklist.
Official Finland routeBackground replacement remains available with a note
PassPhoto can create an even light background and crop to 35 × 45 mm. It never changes skin, hair, facial geometry, expression, clothing, or identity. Because the official Dutch standard prohibits software alteration, the final decision to use an edited result belongs to you and the office handling your application.
Continue to the route-aware makerNetherlands visa photo FAQ
Direct answers before your appointment
What size is a Netherlands visa photo?
When your route asks you to bring a photo, the official NetherlandsWorldwide tourism checklist specifies 35 x 45 mm. Applicants using an external service provider generally do not bring one because a digital image is captured during the appointment.
What is the Netherlands visa photo size in pixels?
The official visa checklist gives a physical 35 x 45 mm size, not a universal upload size. The Dutch quality standard calls for at least 400 DPI for the printed image. Use an upload dimension only when the official application route publishes it.
What background should I use?
The visa checklist says white or light-coloured. The complete Dutch photo standard is more specific: plain, even light grey, light blue, or white, with enough contrast from the head and no background shadow.
Can PassPhoto replace the background?
PassPhoto still allows background replacement, but the official Dutch photo standard says the image must be unaltered by computer software. Use the tool only after deciding that an edited file is suitable for your filing route. PassPhoto changes the background and crop, never the face, skin, hair, expression, clothing, or identity.
Do I need to bring a photo to VFS or TLS?
The current NetherlandsWorldwide checklist says that if you apply through an external service provider, you do not need to submit a photo because a digital photo will be taken at your appointment. Read the appointment instructions for your own country before attending.
What expression and pose are required?
Face the camera directly with level eyes, straight shoulders, a neutral expression, and a closed mouth. The whole head must be visible and centred, with even lighting and no shadows or reflections.
Are glasses allowed?
Clear glasses are allowed under the full Dutch standard when the eyes remain fully visible and there is no tint, glare, distortion, or shadow. A local intake instruction can still be stricter.
Does PassPhoto print or submit the image?
No. PassPhoto prepares a downloadable background and crop. You arrange any required printing and submit through the embassy, consulate, or authorised service provider handling your visa application.
Route-aware 35 × 45 mm maker route
Printing and submission are your responsibility
PassPhoto does not print, submit, or guarantee acceptance. Confirm whether your filing location needs a physical image or captures one at the appointment, arrange any required photo-quality printing, and submit through the official route yourself.