New Zealand passport photo requirements
Whether you apply for a New Zealand passport online or submit a paper application, you must provide a recent passport photo that meets the official requirements. The photo should be taken within the last six months and comply with the required size, background, and appearance rules.
You can take your New Zealand passport photo with a smartphone instead of visiting a photo studio, provided the image meets the official requirements. However, selfies are not acceptable because they can distort facial proportions. Ask another person to take the photo, use good lighting, and position the camera at eye level for the best result.
Table of contents
- New Zealand passport photo size and format
- New Zealand passport photo background
- Colour and lighting
- Pose and facial expression
- More New Zealand passport photo requirements
- New Zealand online passport photo specifications
- Get a New Zealand passport photo online
- New Zealand passport photo guidelines
- New Zealand passport photo checker
- New Zealand passport photo signature requirements
- New Zealand baby passport photo requirements
New Zealand passport photo size and format
If you submit a paper New Zealand passport application, you must provide two identical colour photos. Each photo must measure 35 × 45 mm and be printed on high-quality photo paper.
Your head should be centred in the photo, with enough space around it. The head, including the hair, should occupy approximately 80% of the image height.
Example of a printed New Zealand passport photo:
For an online application, you need a digital JPEG photo in portrait orientation. The image should have a 3:4 aspect ratio, be between 900 and 4500 pixels wide and 1200 and 6000 pixels high, and have a file size between 250 KB and 5 MB. Scanned printed photos are not accepted.
Example of a digital New Zealand passport photo for an online application:
For a complete overview of New Zealand passport photo rules, including background, lighting, facial expression, and appearance requirements, continue reading the sections below.
New Zealand passport photo background
Your passport photo must be taken against a plain, light-coloured background with strong contrast between you and the background. The background should be free of patterns, objects, shadows, or other people.
For paper applications, a light background is recommended, but it should not be pure white. Light grey, pale blue, or cream backgrounds usually work well.
Colour and lighting
Your New Zealand passport photo must be in colour, sharp, and in focus. Use even lighting to avoid shadows on your face or the background, and make sure your skin tones look natural. The photo must not contain red-eye, blur, or reflections.
Pose and facial expression
Face the camera directly with your head held straight. Keep both eyes open and clearly visible, look directly into the camera, and keep your mouth closed with a neutral facial expression. Your shoulders and upper chest should be visible, with enough space around your head.
More New Zealand passport photo requirements
Natural appearance
Your passport photo must accurately represent your current appearance. Do not use beauty filters, AI editing, face retouching, background replacement, or other edits that change the way you look. Cropping and straightening the image are acceptable if they do not alter your appearance.
You may take your passport photo with a smartphone, but avoid selfies. Ask another person to take the picture from about 1.5 metres away with the camera positioned at eye level.
Face and eyes
Your full face must be clearly visible, with your hair kept away from your eyes and face. Both eyes must be open and unobstructed.
Glasses
Prescription glasses are allowed if the lenses are clear, the frames do not cover your eyes, and there is no glare or reflection. Sunglasses, tinted lenses, and glasses that obscure your eyes are not acceptable.
Clothing and head coverings
Wear everyday clothing that contrasts with the background. Hats, hoods, and decorative headbands are not permitted.
Head coverings are allowed only for religious or medical reasons and must not cover any part of your face.
New Zealand online passport photo specifications
For an online New Zealand passport application, your digital photo should meet the following technical specifications:
- JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg) format;
- portrait orientation with a 3:4 aspect ratio;
- between 900 × 1200 and 4500 × 6000 pixels;
- file size between 250 KB and 5 MB;
- taken within the last six months;
- an original digital image, not a scanned printed photo.
Get a New Zealand passport photo online
You don't have to visit a photo studio to get a compliant New Zealand passport photo. With Visafoto.com, you can take a photo at home using a smartphone or camera and turn it into a passport photo that meets the official requirements.
Visafoto automatically prepares your image by adjusting the photo size and framing, centering your face, correcting the background, improving lighting, enhancing image quality and resolution, and optimizing the photo for both digital and printed use while preserving your natural appearance.
You will receive:
- a digital JPEG ready for an online passport application;
- a printable template with four 35 × 45 mm passport photos for paper applications.
To get started, ask someone to take your photo in good lighting. A plain background is recommended, but it is not essential, as Visafoto can replace the background with one that meets the official requirements.
After processing, you'll receive passport photos ready for online submission and printing:
New Zealand passport photo guidelines
Taking a New Zealand passport photo with Visafoto is simple:
- Take a clear photo with a smartphone or camera. Ask another person to take the picture instead of using a selfie.
- Upload your photo to Visafoto.
- Our system automatically adjusts the size, centers your face, replaces the background if necessary, improves lighting, enhances image quality and resolution, and checks that your photo matches the required format.
- Download your ready-to-use digital passport photo and printable template within seconds.
Source
Result
Whether your original photo was taken indoors or outdoors, Visafoto can improve lighting and image quality, correct the background, and prepare your photo for a New Zealand passport application while maintaining your natural appearance.
New Zealand passport photo checker
Before submitting your passport application, you can use the official New Zealand Passport Photo Checker to verify that your image meets the basic technical requirements. The tool checks factors such as the photo format, size, and framing before you upload your application.
Please note that passing the photo checker does not guarantee that your passport photo will be accepted. The final decision is made by the New Zealand Passport Office when your application is reviewed.
If you prepared your New Zealand passport photo with Visafoto and it does not pass the official photo checker, please contact our support team. We will review your photo, help resolve the issue, and, if necessary, replace the processed photo or provide a refund according to our guarantee policy.
New Zealand passport photo signature requirements
If you submit a paper New Zealand passport application, one of your passport photos may need to be signed or identified, depending on the type of application.
- Adult first passport, general application, or name change: your witness writes your full name on the back of one photo, then signs and dates it.
- Child passport application: the child's witness writes the child's full name, signs, and dates the back of one photo.
- Adult same-name renewal: the applicant writes their own full name and the date on the back of one photo.
Do not staple, glue, or paperclip the photos, as they must remain undamaged. Online passport applications do not require a signed photo.
New Zealand baby passport photo requirements
Babies and young children must meet the same passport photo standards as adults. The child's face should be fully visible, with no toys, blankets, hands, or other people appearing in the photo.
For babies, it is usually easiest to lay the child on a plain light-coloured sheet and take the photo from directly above. The baby's face should be centred and clearly visible.
Last update: July 2026