New Zealand Passport Photo Requirements and Guide
Get your New Zealand passport photo right the first time by following official rules for size, background, and digital files. Use the tool above to help prepare your image.
Official Size and Submission Rules
The authority does not prescribe a physical print size. For the digital photo, follow the published 3:4 portrait ratio and pixel requirements[1]. The cited guidance does not set a head-height measurement.
Applicants supply a digital photo for online applications, and using external photo services is entirely optional[1]. No physical print size is prescribed by the issuing office, and the digital portrait aspect ratio must follow a 3:4 proportion[1]. Your photo must be less than six months old to accurately reflect your current appearance, and you are strictly prohibited from submitting scans or selfies[1].
Background and Lighting
Use a plain, light-coloured background with strong contrast against your face. The source does not prescribe an exact shade[1].
Good lighting works hand in hand with your background. Try to face a window with natural, soft daylight to eliminate harsh shadows on your face or cast behind your head. Keep the camera at eye level, roughly one to one and a half meters away from your face, to prevent any awkward distortion of your features.
Glasses, Headwear, and Expression
Glasses are allowed conditionally[1]. Keep your eyes visible; the cited facts do not specify further glasses conditions.
Headwear is permitted only for religious or medical reasons[1].
Rules for Infants and Children
Photographing infants and young children requires patience and adherence to specific guidelines[1]. A baby may be laid on a plain, light-coloured sheet and photographed from above[1].
Make sure the baby’s entire face and open eyes are visible, with no other people or objects in the image[1].
Preparing Your Digital File
Preparing your digital file properly helps it pass the initial technical checks of the online system. Online passport applications require a digital file that stays within strict size limits[1]. Specifically, your file size must fall between 250 KB and 5120 KB[1].
Check that your file is between 250 KB and 5120 KB before uploading[1].
Common Reasons Photos Are Refused
Passport offices refuse many applications due to simple, avoidable mistakes in the submitted image. Trying to use a selfie or a scanned copy of an older physical photograph is not allowed[1].
Other common reasons for refusal include poor background contrast, heavy shadows across the face or neck, incorrect file sizes outside the 250 KB to 5120 KB range[1], or submitting a photograph that is older than the six-month limit[1].
Submitting Your Application Online
Because New Zealand accepts digital photos for online applications, you can complete the process from home[1]. Make sure your digital file meets all pixel and ratio requirements, such as the 3:4 portrait aspect ratio[1].
Once your image is ready, upload it directly through the official passport portal. You can use the tool above to prepare a clean copy, but remember that the authority makes the final decision on whether your photo is accepted[1].
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear glasses in my New Zealand passport photo?
Glasses are conditional[1]. It is usually best to remove them to avoid glare and frame obstructions, as your eyes must be completely clear and visible.
What are the file size limits for digital upload?
Your digital file must be between 250 KB and 5120 KB[1].
How old can the photo be?
Your photo must be less than six months old[1].
Can I use a selfie or a scanned photo?
No, scans and selfies are not allowed[1].
What kind of background do I need?
You need a plain, light-coloured background with strong contrast against the face; no exact shade prescribed[1].