Complete Belgium residence permit 35x45 mm (3.5x4.5 cm) Requirements for BE - Expert Tips

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: 35 × 45 mm printed on high-quality photo paper without borders
• Head size & positioning: head (hair top to chin) must measure 32–36 mm and be centered vertically
• Eye level: eyes positioned 22–28 mm from the bottom edge of the photo
• Background: uniform light-gray (e.g. R235 G235 B255), matte finish, no shadows, patterns or textures
• Image quality: color photo printed at ≥600 dpi, sharp focus, natural skin tones, no red-eye or digital artifacts
• Lighting & exposure: even, diffuse lighting avoiding shadows on face and background, balanced contrast
• Facial expression: neutral expression with closed mouth, eyes open and clearly visible, no smiling or frowning
• Head orientation: full-face view looking straight at the camera, no tilt or turn, shoulders squared
• Glasses: thin-framed eyeglasses permitted if lenses are clear and glare-free, frames must not cover eyes; tinted lenses and sunglasses prohibited
• Head coverings: only allowed for religious reasons, must not obscure facial features or cast shadows, forehead to chin and both cheeks fully visible
• Hair & accessories: hair must not cover eyes or face, minimal jewelry that does not obscure facial features, no headphones or headset
• Photo recency: taken within the last 6 months, no retouching or filters, identity must match current appearance
• Special cases for children: neutral or natural expression acceptable, eyes open and visible, no pacifiers, parents’ hands must not be visible in the frame

Step-by-Step Process

Content about Complete Belgium residence permit 35x45 mm (3.5x4.5 cm) Requirements for BE - process

Tips and Best Practices

• Background uniformity: Use a plain light-grey or white background free of shadows or patterns, as Belgium requires a neutral backdrop to ensure clear biometric capture and avoid automatic rejection
• Head size & positioning: Ensure your head height is 31–36 mm (70–80% of the 45 mm height) and your eye-line is 19–26 mm from the bottom, since misalignment often causes photos to fail automated cropping checks
• Lighting & clarity: Employ even, diffused lighting to eliminate shadows, reflections or red-eye—poor illumination obscures key features and is a top reason for Belgian permit photo rejections
• Accessories removal: Remove glasses, hats, hairbands or any facial coverings to prevent glare or landmark obstruction, as BE rules forbid anything that might hide or distort your natural facial contours
• Print quality assurance: Print at 600 dpi on high-quality matte photo paper without compression artifacts, because low-resolution or glossy prints can pixelate details and fail both digital and manual inspections

Conclusion

In summary, a Belgium residence permit photo must meet all of the following to ensure acceptance and avoid processing delays:

• Dimensions: exactly 35 × 45 mm (5 × 5 cm)
• Head size & positioning: head height 32–36 mm with 3–5 mm space above the crown
• Background: uniform light grey or light blue, no shadows or patterns
• Pose & expression: neutral facial expression, eyes open, mouth closed, directly facing the camera
• Image quality: high-resolution colour photo taken within the last 6 months, natural skin tones, no red-eye, no retouching
• Accessories & clothing: no glasses or headgear (except for documented religious reasons), no headphones or large earrings
• Print specifications: printed on high-quality, nonsilvered photographic paper with a matte finish

By following these precise requirements—dimensions, head placement, background, pose, and print quality—you maximize the likelihood of a smooth, first-time approval for your Belgian residence permit application.