New Zealand passport photo
Digital, 3:4 portrait · 1200 × 1600 px · head 31–36 mm · plain and light: white
Made on your phone in about a minute. Free, no sign-up, and your photo never leaves your device.
- 01Upload
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- 03Download
Your photo stays on this device. Nothing is uploaded.
- Stand in front of a plain, light wall in even daylight.
- Ask someone to take it from about 4 ft (1.2 m) away, at face height.
- Look straight at the camera. Take off glasses and hats.
How to get a New Zealand passport photo that passes
- 01
Take the photo
Stand about 2 ft (60 cm) in front of a plain, light wall. Ask someone to take the photo from about 4 ft (1.2 m) away with the camera at face height. Use daylight from a window in front of you, not overhead light. Take off your glasses, keep both eyes open and your mouth closed.
- 02
Check the crop
The tool finds your face, sizes your head and makes the background plain automatically. If a check turns amber or red, drag or zoom until it turns green.
- 03
Download or print
Download the digital photo for online forms, or the 4 × 6 in sheet to print at a photo kiosk. Print at actual size and cut along the grey lines.
| Photo size | Digital, 3:4 portrait |
|---|---|
| Head height | 31–36 mm |
| Background | Plain and light: white, light blue, grey or cream |
| Digital file | JPEG, 250 KB–5 MB |
| Our download | 1200 × 1600 px |
| Digital file | JPEG, 3:4 portrait, 900 × 1200 to 4500 × 6000 px, 250 KB to 5 MB |
| Framing | Head centred with a clear gap at the top and sides, part of shoulders and upper chest showing |
| Who takes it | Someone else, about 1.5 m away. Selfies are rejected |
| Glasses | Clear prescription glasses only, not tinted or thick-framed, no glare |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Taken | Within the last 6 months |
| Source | Te Tari Taiwhenua Internal Affairs: Passport photo technical requirements |
| Last verified |
Questions people ask
What size is a New Zealand passport photo?
New Zealand passport photos are digital. The file must be a 3:4 portrait JPEG between 900 × 1200 and 4500 × 6000 pixels, and between 250 KB and 5 MB. The download from this page is 1200 × 1600 px inside those limits.
Can I take it as a selfie?
No. Selfies change how your face looks, so ask someone else to take the photo from about 1.5 metres away at your eye level. Then upload it here to crop and check it.
Can I wear glasses?
Only clear prescription glasses that aren't tinted or thick-framed, with a clear gap between your eyes and the frames and no glare. Taking them off is the safest choice.
What background is allowed?
A plain, light-coloured background with no people, objects or shadows. Light blue, grey and cream work well.
Can I scan a printed photo?
No. The Passport Office doesn't accept scans of physical photos for online applications.