New Zealand passport & visa photo requirements

Ensuring your photo meets the requirements is key to a successful New Zealand visa or passport application.

Your passport or visa photo is more than just another picture; it's a vital part of your application. The New Zealand government has specific photo guidelines that must be followed. If your photo doesn't meet these standards, you could face delays or even have your application denied.

We understand the importance of getting your photo just right and have put together a helpful guide to the New Zealand photo requirements. Keep reading to ensure you know exactly how to take a photo that ticks all the boxes.

New Zealand passport photo guidelines

For a New Zealand passport application, we recommend having your passport photo professionally taken or getting someone else to take it. Selfies will not be accepted. The photo must meet the following specifications.

• Recent photo: Your photos must be recent, ideally taken within the last six months, to show how you currently look.

• Photo dimensions: The image should be a portrait photo with a 4:3 aspect ratio or 3:4 aspect ratio if using a smartphone.

• Background: Use a plain, light-colored background with no patterns or shadows. Light blue, gray, or cream is acceptable. There should be a definite contrast between your face and the background.

• Quality: The digital photo must be in color. It must also be in focus, sharp, not altered in any way using photo editing software, and accurately represent your natural skin tone. Acceptable formats are JPG or JPEG. The image should be no less than 250KB and no larger than 5MB. It should be between 900 and 4,500 pixels wide and 1,200 and 6,000 pixels high.

• Head position: Look directly at the camera without tilting or turning. Your head and shoulders should be level and centered in the frame, with a distinct gap around the top and sides of your head. Your upper chest and shoulders should be visible in the photo.

• Facial expression: You should have a neutral expression with your eyes open normally and mouth closed.

• Lighting: Make sure the light is even and doesn’t cast shadows or create glare on your face or in the background.

• Eyeglasses: Prescription glasses are allowed as long as they have thin frames that don’t block your eyes. Your eyes should still be clearly visible, and there must be no glare on the lenses. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are not allowed.

• Head coverings: Hats and head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons. You’ll need an endorsement in your passport. They should not cast shadows or cover any part of your face.

• Hair and clothing: Wear regular clothes that contrast with the light background. Religious clothing is allowed for those who wear it daily. Keep your hair out of your eyes and off your face so that the sides of your face are visible.

Before you upload your photo, the New Zealand government has an online photo checker that you can use to make sure the image is suitable for your passport. It’s important to note that this online tool shouldn’t be used to check photos for New Zealand visa applications.

New Zealand visa photo guidelines

We recommend having your visa photo professionally taken or getting someone else to take it. The New Zealand government has a handy technical requirements sheet that you can share with the photographer. The photo must meet the following specifications.

• Recent photo: Your photo must be recent, ideally taken within the last six months, to show how you currently look. For paper visa applications, you’ll need two photos with your full name written on the back of each.

• Photo dimensions: The photos should be 35mm x 45mm for paper visa applications. For online applications, the image should be in portrait format and between 900 x 1,200 pixels and 2,250 x 3,000 pixels. Your face should take up 70-80% of the frame with a clear gap around the head.

• Quality: The photo must be in color. It must also be in focus, sharp, not altered in any way using photo editing software, and accurately represent your natural skin tone. Acceptable formats for digital photos are JPG or JPEG. The image should be no less than 500KB and no larger than 3MB. If you’re using a phone, the camera must have a minimum resolution of 540 x 720 pixels.

• Background: Use a plain, light-colored background with no patterns or shadows. Light gray is a good option (not white). There should be a definite contrast between your face and the background.

• Head position: Look directly at the camera without tilting your head. Your head and shoulders should be level and centered in the frame.

• Facial expression: You should have a neutral expression with your eyes open normally and mouth closed.

• Lighting: Make sure the light is even and doesn’t cast shadows or create glare on your face or in the background.

• Eyeglasses: Prescription glasses are allowed as long as they have thin frames that don’t block your eyes. Your eyes should still be clearly visible, and there must be no glare on the lenses. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are not allowed.

• Head coverings: Hats and head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons. They should not create shadows or hide any part of your face. Your hairline should be seen in the photo.

• Hair and clothing: Wear regular clothes in solid colors that contrast with the light background. Avoid boldly patterned clothes. Religious clothing is allowed for those who wear it daily. Keep your hair out of your eyes and off your face so that the sides of your face are visible.

Passport & visa photos for infants and children

Taking photos for infants' and children's travel documents requires special attention. The basic requirements for photo quality, dimensions, and background are the same as for adults. However, there are additional considerations for children as they’re harder to photograph.

• Recent photo: The images should be taken within the last six months and accurately reflect your child's current appearance.

• Eyes visibility: The child's eyes should be open and visible. Capturing infants with their eyes open might take some time and patience. Glasses should be avoided unless they are prescription. They should not cover the eyes, and there must be no glare on the lenses.

• Facial expression: While infants and children are not required to maintain the neutral expression demanded for adults, try and take a photo where they appear calm and natural.

• Clothing: Dress your child in simple, everyday outfits that don’t hide their face. Choose clothes with solid colors. Hats and pacifiers are not allowed, but religious head coverings are acceptable as long as the child’s entire face should be in full view.

• No visible support: When photographing infants or young children who need support, make sure no hands or supporting objects are visible in the photo. ​

• Focus on the child: The photo should only feature the child, without other people or props.

For infants unable to sit or stand, a photo can be taken from above while they lie on a plain light-colored sheet or placed in a car seat covered with a plain light-colored cloth.

Learn what every traveler should know before visiting New Zealand in our trip guide.

Get support for your New Zealand ETA application

If you’d like to apply for a New Zealand eTA and need more information, you can get in touch with our customer support team. Contact them any time via WhatsApp or through the iVisa chat.