Passport Photo Requirements in Belgium and for Foreign Documents: A Complete Guide

Official document photography · Ghent

What are the rules for Belgian passport photos, when does the City of Ghent take your photo at the counter, and when do you still need to bring a professional photo? This up-to-date guide explains it all.

Contents

• What is a biometric passport photo?

• Do you still need to bring a photo in Ghent?

• Requirements for adults

• Requirements for children and babies

• Glasses, head coverings and clothing

• Common mistakes

• Foreign documents

• Preparation and checks

• Frequently asked questions

An official passport photo may seem straightforward, but assessment goes far beyond its dimensions. Head position, facial visibility, background, lighting and how recently the photo was taken all determine whether it will be accepted. The applicable standard also depends on the document and the country you need it for.

01 · The basics

What is an official biometric passport photo?

A biometric passport photo is a standardised image that allows your face to be reliably recognised. Government authorities and border control services use fixed features, such as eye position, head proportions and facial visibility, to compare the photo with the document holder.

In Belgium, photos for documents such as passports, identity cards and residence permits must meet ICAO guidelines. An attractive portrait is therefore not automatically a valid passport photo: technical accuracy and recognisability always come first.

Recognisable

The photo shows your current appearance naturally, without retouching that alters your facial features.

Technically correct

Cropping, posture, lighting and background meet the standard for the document.

Document-specific

Belgian documents, foreign passports and visas may have different requirements.

02 · Current practice in Ghent

Do you still need to bring a passport photo to the City of Ghent?

Not for many standard applications. When you apply for a Belgian identity card, Kids-ID, passport or electronic residence card, the City of Ghent generally takes a digital photo at the counter. For a driving licence, the city normally uses the photo from your identity card.

Having your photo taken at the counter is common practice, but there are important exceptions.

When do you need to bring your own passport photo?

• For a child under 3.

• For an older child who cannot sit still independently.

• For a second passport and certain special applications.

• When the photo on your identity card no longer resembles you.

• For many foreign passports, visas and embassy applications.

• For official cards or applications that require you to supply a print or digital file.

Always check the latest instructions from the authority issuing your document. See the City of Ghent’s information on identity cards and the passport application procedure.

03 · Adults

Official Belgian passport photo requirements

Standard Belgian passport photos must meet specific requirements. The photo must be recent, a good likeness and technically suitable for facial recognition. The relevant authority may reject a photo that does not meet the standards.

The full examples and rejection criteria are available from the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs.

Print + digital

Need an official passport photo?

We check your posture, gaze, lighting, background and cropping before supplying your photos. Let us know in advance if your application requires a different format for a foreign document.

• Professional photography and technical checks

• 8 printed passport photos

• Digital file included

• Standard photos usually ready in around 10 minutes

04 · Children & babies

What passport photo requirements apply to young children?

The basic rules also apply to children: the photo must be recent, sharp and in colour, the whole head must be in the frame, and the face must remain clearly visible. A parent, supporting hand, toy, dummy, blanket or part of a chair must not be recognisable in the photo.

Under 6

The rules make allowances for young children

For babies, toddlers and preschool children, there is more flexibility around certain rules: a horizontal eye line, a slight tilt of the head, straight shoulders, a neutral expression, looking directly at the camera and a fully closed mouth.

However, the face and eyes must remain sufficiently visible, and any support must be kept out of the photo.

Practical preparation for parents

• Plan the photo for a time when your child is awake, fed and calm.

• Choose simple clothing that contrasts with the background.

• Keep toys, dummies and blankets out of the frame.

• Provide support if needed, without your hand being visible.

• Allow enough time for several unhurried attempts.

• Check in advance which country and document the photo is for.

A calm, safe setting and time to get the right shot

For children under 3, the City of Ghent asks you to bring a suitable passport photo yourself.

05 · Clothing & accessories

Can you wear glasses or a head covering?

Your eyes must remain fully visible

Ordinary glasses may be allowed if the lenses are not tinted and there are no reflections or shadows. The frames must not run directly across your eyes either. To avoid problems, it is often easier to remove your glasses for the photo.

Religious and medical exceptions

Head coverings may be permitted for religious, philosophical or medical reasons. Your chin, cheeks, eyes and other key facial features must remain recognisable, and the fabric must not cast shadows on your face.

Clothing, coats and scarves

Choose simple clothing that contrasts sufficiently with the background. Remove bulky coats and high scarves: if they extend above your shoulders, they may appear as an extraneous object against the background.

06 · Avoid delays

Why are passport photos sometimes rejected?

Even a small discrepancy can mean a photo has to be retaken. These are the most common reasons for rejection:

• The head is turned, tilted or not properly centred.

• The mouth is open or the facial expression is too animated.

• Hair, glasses frames or a head covering obscure parts of the face.

• There are reflections in the glasses or shine on the face.

• Shadows fall on the face or background.

• The cropping or head proportions are incorrect.

• The photo is older than permitted or no longer a good likeness.

• Excessive retouching, sharpening or a filter has been used.

A professional check before printing helps prevent these mistakes. Explore all of Jaweed Studio’s official document and biometric photo services if you are unsure which format your application requires.

Further reading

You may also find these passport photo articles useful

Practical guidance on passport photos for children, visas, biometrics and foreign documents.

07 · International applications

Passport photo requirements vary by country

The Belgian standard of 35 × 45 mm does not automatically apply to every foreign passport or visa. Some countries use a square photo; others specify their own dimensions, digital file size or background colour. Bring the official instructions from the embassy, consulate or application portal with you.

For a Dutch passport, identity card or driving licence, you can find the latest requirements on the Dutch central government website under passport photo requirements. When booking, always specify which country and document the photo is for.

Printed, digital or both?

Some authorities require printed photos, while others only accept a digital file for online upload. Jaweed Studio can supply both printed and digital photos. For an international application, please provide the required pixel dimensions, file size and file format in advance.

08 · Before your visit

How to prepare and how we check your photo

Note the document, country and any digital specifications.

Make sure your clothing provides sufficient contrast against a light, plain background.

We guide your posture and gaze, and check the lighting and background.

We check cropping and dimensions before printing and supplying the digital file.

The photo is processed naturally, without filters or retouching that changes how recognisable you are. Do you wear glasses or have instructions from an embassy? Bring those details so we can take the photo to the correct standard from the start.

09 · FAQ

Frequently asked questions about official passport photos

Usually not: the City of Ghent generally takes your photo at the counter. However, you must bring a suitable passport photo for children under 3, children who cannot sit still independently and certain special applications.

The basic technical requirements still apply, but some rules on posture and facial expression are more flexible for children under 6. The face must remain visible, and a parent or supporting hand must not appear in the photo.

No. This is the standard size for Belgian official documents, but foreign passports and visas may require a different format or different digital specifications.

Yes, provided your eyes are fully visible and there are no reflections, shadows or tinted lenses. To reduce the risk of rejection, you can remove your glasses for the photo.

Yes. Our standard passport photo service includes prints and a digital file. Let us know in advance if an embassy or online portal specifies particular pixel dimensions or a maximum file size.

Yes. All passport photos for adults, babies and children are taken by appointment only. Always book before visiting; we cannot accommodate you without a confirmed appointment. When booking, please also mention if the photo is for a foreign document or requires a non-standard format.

Jaweed Studio · Ghent

A compliant passport photo, taken calmly and checked professionally

Jaweed Studio takes official passport photos for adults, babies and children, as well as photos for visas and foreign documents. All passport photo services are available by appointment only. Book before your visit and tell us what you need the photo for, especially if it requires a non-standard international format.