Can I wear glasses in my Belgium visa photo?

No. Glasses must be removed for Belgium/Schengen visa photos. This is stricter than the Belgian passport photo requirement.

Belgium Visa Photo (35×45mm) Requirements and Size Guide

Q: What size is a Belgium visa photo?

A Belgium/Schengen visa photo must be 35×45mm with a plain white background. The head should occupy 70–80% of the photo. You typically need 2 identical photos for the application.

Everything you need to know about Belgium/Schengen visa photo requirements, including exact dimensions, background color, digital specs, quantity, and how to prepare your photo for the visa application.

Belgium Visa Photo Specifications

Requirement	Specification
Country	Belgium / België / Belgique / Belgien
Document Type	Visa (Schengen Visa)
Photo Size	35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 inches)
Resolution (DPI)	600
Head Size	32–36 mm from chin to crown
Top Margin	Minimum 3 mm from top edge to top of hair
Face Coverage	70–80% of the photo
Background Color	Plain white (strict requirement)
Digital Photo Size	826 × 1062 pixels (at 600 DPI)
Photo Paper	Matte finish, photo-quality paper
Color	Color only
Quantity	2 identical photographs
Standard	ICAO 9303 (biometric)
Recency	Taken within the last 6 months

Stricter than Belgian passport: The Belgium/Schengen visa photo requires a plain white background (not cream or light gray) and glasses must be removed. You also need 2 identical photos (passport only needs 1).

Don't worry about getting the perfect photo. Upload any photo taken at home, and our AI-powered tool will automatically crop to 35×45mm, replace the background with plain white, adjust the head size, and ensure your photo meets all Schengen visa requirements.

Detailed Belgium Visa Photo Requirements

Belgium visa photos follow the Schengen visa photo standard, which is based on ICAO 9303 but with stricter requirements than the Belgian passport photo.

Size and Dimensions

Photo size: exactly 35 × 45 mm
Head size: 32–36 mm from chin to crown
Top margin: minimum 3 mm
Face coverage: 70–80% of the photo
Both shoulders must be visible

Pose and Expression

Face the camera directly (en face)
Neutral expression, mouth closed, no smiling
Both eyes open and clearly visible
Head centered, not tilted

Background

Plain white — stricter than Belgian passport (which accepts cream/light gray)
Uniform, no patterns, shadows, or objects

Glasses

Glasses must be removed. This is stricter than the Belgian passport photo requirement. No eyeglasses, sunglasses, or tinted lenses are permitted in the visa photo.

Head Coverings

Only permitted for religious reasons (headscarf, yarmulke)
No fashion hats or caps
Full face must remain visible

Clothing

Regular street clothes
No uniforms
Avoid white tops

Source: VFS Global — Belgium Photo Specifications

Make Passport/Visa Photo for Other Countries →

How to Take a Belgium Visa Photo at Home

Use a Smartphone

Any smartphone camera works. Clean lens, highest resolution, have someone take the photo. No selfies.

Find Good Lighting

Face a window with natural daylight. Even, shadow-free lighting is essential.

Tip: Our AI tool will automatically replace backgrounds with plain white.

Dress Appropriately

Normal clothing. No uniforms or white tops. Remove glasses. Hair must not cover eyes.

Pose Correctly

Head facing forward, shoulders visible and relaxed, 1.2m from camera.

Neutral Expression

Both eyes open, mouth closed, neutral expression.

Good and Bad Examples

Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable visa photos

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is a Belgium visa photo?

35×45mm with a plain white background. You need 2 identical photos for the Schengen visa application.

Can I wear glasses?

No. Glasses must be removed for Belgium/Schengen visa photos — stricter than the Belgian passport requirement.

Is this the same as the Schengen visa photo?

Yes. Belgium is part of the Schengen zone, so the visa photo follows the standard Schengen format: 35×45mm, white background, no glasses, neutral expression.

How many photos do I need?

2 identical photographs are typically required for a Belgium/Schengen visa application.

Can I take this photo with my phone?

Yes! Upload your smartphone photo to PassportPhoto.help and our AI will handle cropping, background replacement, and compliance.