What to Wear for a Passport Photo? Detailed Passport Photo Dress Code for 2025

What you wear for your passport photo matters more than you might think. Your outfit can directly impact whether your photo meets official requirements and how professional it looks on important documents. Choosing the right color, avoiding busy patterns, and sticking to simple, well-fitted clothing can make a big difference.

To help you avoid common mistakes and get it right the first time, we've compiled the most important guidelines on what clothes to wear for a passport photo.

Table of contents

• Essential passport photo clothing rules
• What colour to wear for a passport photo?
• Can you wear makeup in a passport photo?
• Can you wear jewelry in a passport photo?
• Can you wear a hoodie in a passport photo?
• Can you wear glasses in a passport photo?
• The best passport photo outfit ideas: women
• The best passport photo outfit ideas: men
• Get your passport photo online!
• Passport Photo App
• Passport photo clothing restrictions

Essential passport photo clothing rules

Not all outfits are passport-photo approved. Dress code rules can be surprisingly strict, and failing to follow them may delay your travel plans. While specific rules for passport photos can differ between countries and issuing authorities, a few common guidelines apply universally:

• Clothing for a passport photo must not obscure the face. Your forehead, cheeks, chin, and the edges of the face must be clearly visible.
• Passport photos must present you in neutral, everyday attire without any affiliation to an organization or group. Wearing any form of uniform is generally not permitted.
• Headwear is typically not allowed. However, if your religion requires you to cover your head, like with a hijab or turban, this is acceptable as long as your face remains fully visible.
• You should keep your hair away from your eyes. To learn more about recommended hairstyles, check this article: Passport Photo Hair Rules.
• Items of jewelry may be worn, but they must not hide your face or create reflections that affect the clarity of the photograph.
• Heavy makeup that significantly changes your appearance compared to your everyday look can cause issues during verification. Opt for a clean, natural appearance that reflects your real self.

What colour to wear for a passport photo?

When taking a passport photo, it's best to choose solid, dark, or medium-tone colors that contrast well against a typical white or light gray background. This helps ensure your face is clearly visible, meeting the official standards for clarity and identification.

Can I wear a black shirt for a passport photo? — Yes, because black and other dark, solid colors provide a strong contrast against a white or light background, ensuring that your face and neck are clearly visible.

The best colors to wear for a passport photo:

• navy blue
• black
• dark green
• brown
• charcoal gray
• burgundy
• royal blue
• forest green
• maroon

Can you wear white for a passport photo? — Since the background is white or off-white, wearing white clothes can cause you to blend into the background and reduce the quality of the photo.

Passport photo clothing colors to avoid:

• white
• light gray
• very light beige
• pastel shades (like light pink, baby blue, pale yellow)
• bright or neon hues
• busy patterns or prints

Can you wear makeup in a passport photo?

Yes, you can wear makeup in your passport photo, but moderation is important. Light, natural-looking makeup is acceptable and often recommended to reduce shine or even out skin tone. However, heavy contouring, dramatic eye makeup, or filters that alter your facial features can lead to a rejected photo.

According to current ICAO guidelines, your appearance in the photo must reflect your everyday look and allow for reliable identification at borders. So while foundation or subtle eyeliner is fine, aim for a look you’d easily replicate without effort during travel.

Can you wear jewelry in a passport photo?

Jewelry is generally allowed in passport photos as long as it doesn't obscure your face or cause reflections. Small earrings, nose rings, or necklaces are acceptable, provided they don’t cast shadows or draw attention away from your facial features. However, oversized statement pieces or facial piercings that interfere with biometric identification may lead to a rejected photo. Ensure that jewelry does not cover any part of the eyes, eyebrows, or mouth.

For more guidelines on allowed accessories in a passport photo, check this article: Can You Wear Jewellery In A Passport Photo?

Can you wear a hoodie in a passport photo?

Yes, but there are specific guidelines:

• Ensure the hood is down and doesn’t cover your head, ears, or neck. Your entire face and the top of your neck must be visible without any shadows or obstructions from the hood.
• Choose a hoodie in a neutral or dark solid color like black or navy blue to create a good contrast with the background and avoid patterns or logos.
• Don’t wear the hood up, as head coverings are generally not allowed unless for religious or medical reasons. Any covering that hides your face or casts shadows will result in photo rejection.
• Aim for a neat and professional look; while hoodies are fine, overly casual or messy attire might not be ideal since this photo serves as official identification.

Can you wear glasses in a passport photo?

As of recent updates, most countries no longer allow glasses in passport photos, even for prescription use. Since 2016, the U.S. Department of State has banned glasses due to glare and shadow issues that interfere with facial recognition. If you must wear glasses for medical reasons, you’ll need to submit a signed doctor’s statement with your application. To avoid delays, remove your glasses entirely, ensuring a clear view of your eyes and face.

Passport photo requirements for glasses by country:

United States: Glasses are completely banned in U.S. passport and visa photos. Exceptions are made only for rare, medically documented cases, which require a signed statement from a medical professional.

Canada: Glasses are generally permitted in Canadian passport photos if they meet specific criteria:

• Lenses must be non-tinted.
• There must be no glare or reflection on the lenses.
• The eyes must be clearly visible.
• Sunglasses and tinted glasses are not allowed.

United Kingdom: If worn, glasses must meet the following conditions:

• They must not be sunglasses or tinted glasses.
• The eyes must be fully visible, with no glare or reflections.
• Frames must not cover any part of the eyes.

European Union (Schengen Area): Glasses are allowed in EU passport and visa photos under strict conditions:

• Lenses must be clear and non-tinted.
• Eyes must be fully visible, free of glare, reflection, or shadow.
• Frames should not obscure any part of the eyes.

These guidelines are consistent across most EU member states.

The best passport photo outfit ideas: women

When choosing an outfit for your passport photo, the goal is to look timeless, confident, and compliant with official requirements. Here are the best passport photo outfit ideas for women, combining official rules with style and confidence:

• A well-fitted, solid-colored blouse or top in navy, deep green, burgundy, or charcoal works best.
• Avoid off-shoulder styles or plunging necklines, as passport photo guidelines require visible shoulders and a modest presentation.
• Subtle jewelry and natural makeup are allowed, but should not dominate the image.
• Hair should be neatly styled to avoid covering facial features, with no large accessories like headbands or clips unless worn for religious reasons. A sleek ponytail or a tidy bun is ideal to keep the face clear.

The best passport photo outfit ideas: men

Here are the top outfit ideas and tips for men, based on expert recommendations:

• The best shirt to wear for a passport photo is a collared or solid scooped neck in a dark, contrasting color. Dark blue, olive, and charcoal are ideal choices that meet photo requirements and provide a clean, professional look.
• Jackets and suits are allowed, but not required.
• Avoid busy patterns, logos, and anything too casual, such as tank tops or graphic tees.
• Facial hair is permitted, as long as it reflects your usual appearance.
• For a neat presentation, ensure your hair is well-groomed and doesn't cover your eyes or eyebrows.

Get your passport photo online!

When it comes to passport photos, meeting requirements isn't just about appearance; technical specs like size, head proportion, and background matter too. Professional photo studios are an option, but you can also use convenient online tools like Visafoto.com right from home. Since 2013, Visafoto has been ensuring passport photos meet all necessary technical standards.

To use this service, simply snap a well-lit photo of yourself against any background. Then, upload it to Visafoto.com. You don’t have to worry about getting the format, background, or dimensions right – our tool handles all that for you.

Example of the picture you can upload:

You’ll receive both a digital version for online submissions and a print-ready version. If you’re unhappy with the outcome, we’ll replace the photo for free. Plus, if the image isn't accepted by officials, a full refund is offered.

Passport Photo App

Meet another great tool for generating ideal passport photos: the 7ID App by Visafoto.com. This app allows you to create ID, passport, and visa photos straight from your smartphone, and it's compatible with both iPhone and Android devices.

Using the 7ID app is straightforward: upload your image, choose the type of document and country, and the app will automatically adjust your photo to match official requirements. This includes ensuring accurate size, format, background color, and correct positioning of your face and eyes.

You’ll receive a digital file and a print template that fits common paper sizes like 4×6, A4, A5, or B5. Plus, our 24/7 support team is available to assist you anytime.

Passport photo clothing restrictions

Passport photo rules are stricter than they may seem, and non-compliance can result in delays or rejections. Here are the key passport photo clothes restrictions:

• Globally, you are prohibited from wearing uniforms, camouflage clothing, or any attire that resembles official personnel.
• Avoid busy patterns, logos, or flashy clothing. It’s best to wear solid colors to minimize distractions and ensure clear facial recognition.
• Headwear is only permitted for religious or medical reasons, and even then, it must not obscure the face.
• Sunglasses, tinted lenses, or glasses with reflective surfaces are universally banned.
• Strapless tops and low-cut clothing may be rejected if they appear as though you're not wearing a shirt.
• No scarves or high collars that cover the neck or chin: The neck should be visible.

According to ICAO and country-specific guidelines, the goal is to present a clear, natural image with full visibility of the head, neck, and shoulders against a plain background.