Do Indians need a photo for Netherlands?

Indian passport holders going to Netherlands normally use Schengen short-stay visa (Netherlands Worldwide / Embassy New Delhi, applied via VFS Global India). The official source does not ask for a separate visa photo on that route. Here is what you do need, and when a photo would come into play.

VERIFIED · OFFICIAL SOURCE · 17 OCT 2026

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NetherlandsSchengen short-stay visa (Netherlands Worldwide / Embassy New Delhi, applied via VFS Global India)

Good to knowIf you apply through VFS in India, a digital photo is taken at your appointment, so no printed photo is needed. The 35 × 45 mm rule applies only if you apply directly at the mission.

Netherlands photo rules at a glance

Photo needed?No separate photofor the usual route

RouteSchengen short-stay visa

Checked17 Oct 2026confidence: high

What the official source says

Netherlands visa photo requirements for Indian applicants
Route for Indians	Schengen short-stay visa (Netherlands Worldwide / Embassy New Delhi, applied via VFS Global India)
Printed photo size (mm)	35 x 45 mm (only if a printed photo is required)
Digital size (pixels)	Not stated by the official source
File format	Not stated by the official source
File size	Not stated by the official source
Background	White or light-coloured
Head / face size	Not stated by the official source
How recent	No more than 6 months old
Glasses	Not stated by the official source
Head covering	Not stated by the official source
Expression and pose	Not stated by the official source
Copies	Not stated by the official source

Other official rules

Colour photo that meets Dutch requirements
If applying through an external service provider (VFS), no photo is needed: a digital photo is taken at the appointment

Frequently asked questions

Do Indians need a photo for Netherlands?

For the usual route (Schengen short-stay visa (Netherlands Worldwide / Embassy New Delhi, applied via VFS Global India)), the official source does not ask Indian travellers for a separate passport photo.

Where do these rules come from?

From Netherlands Worldwide - Checklist Schengen visa tourism (India), checked by the Krosz visa desk on 17 Oct 2026. Requirements can change, so the official page always has the final word.

Source and verification

Official source: Netherlands Worldwide - Checklist Schengen visa tourism (India)

Also checked: https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/countries/india/travel/applying-for-a-short-stay-schengen-visa

Checked by the Krosz visa desk on 17 Oct 2026 · confidence: high.

Krosz is a private visa service and is not affiliated with any government. Rules change; the authority's own page always has the final word.

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