Passport and ID photo rules compared
The three rules that differ most between countries, side by side: glasses, background colour, and how recent the photo must be. Every entry comes from the official page linked on the document's own page, checked on the date shown there.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Document | Glasses | Background | How recent |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | |||
| US passport photo | No, unless a doctor's signed statement | Plain white or off-white background | 6 months |
| US visa photo (DS-160) | No | Plain white or off-white background | 6 months |
| DV lottery photo | No | Plain white or off-white background | 6 months |
| SAT registration photo | Eyes must not be blocked, e.g. by sunglasses | Not stated | Recent |
| ACT registration photo | No dark glasses | Plain background | not stated |
| LSAT registration photo | No sunglasses, dark lenses or glare | Plain background | not stated |
| United Kingdom and Ireland | |||
| UK passport photo | Avoid, unless you have to wear them | Plain light-coloured background | 1 month |
| Railcard photo | No sunglasses | Plain, light background | not stated |
| UK ETA and visa photo | Avoid, unless you have to wear them | Plain light-coloured background | not stated |
| CitizenCard photo | No sunglasses or tinted glasses | Plain, light-coloured background | 6 months |
| TfL Zip Oyster photocard photo | not stated | Plain, light background (TfL names no colour; this is a passport-style default) | not stated |
| Irish passport photo | Yes, if the frames do not cover the eyes | Plain light grey, white or cream background | 6 months |
| Irish visa photo | No sunglasses or tinted glasses | Plain white or light grey background | 6 months |
| CSCS card photo | Eyes visible, no glare from glasses | Plain white background | 2 years |
| Student Leap Card photo | No: remove them | Plain background with good lighting | not stated |
| Veteran Card photo | Avoid, unless you have to wear them | Plain light-coloured background | Recent |
| Driving licence photo (DVLA) | No, unless you have to wear them | Plain cream or light grey background | Recent |
| Firearm / shotgun certificate photo | No sunglasses or tinted glasses | Plain cream or grey background | not stated |
| SPSV taxi driver licence photo | not stated | Plain, light background (NTA names no colour; passport-style default) | not stated |
| Australia and New Zealand | |||
| Australian passport photo | No, unless medically required | Plain white or light grey background | 6 months |
| ImmiAccount photo (Australia) | No, unless medically required | Neutral or light grey background | 6 months |
| Working with Children Check photo (Victoria) | Yes, if you normally wear them | Plain, light-coloured background | 12 months |
| New Zealand passport photo | Prescription glasses if not tinted or thick-framed, no glare | Plain, light-coloured background | 6 months |
| New Zealand visa photo | not stated | Plain, light-coloured (not white) background | not stated |
| Kiwi Access Card photo | Yes, but not sunglasses, tinted or thick-framed, no glare | Plain, light-coloured background that is not white | 12 months |
| NZ firearms licence photo | not stated | Plain, light-coloured background | 12 months |
| Other countries | |||
| Canada visitor visa photo | Non-tinted prescription glasses only, eyes clearly visible | Plain white or light-coloured background | 6 months |
| Canada PR card photo | Yes, if the eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare | Plain, untextured white background | 12 months |
| Canada PAL (firearms licence) photo | Yes, if the eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare | Plain white or light-coloured background | 12 months |
| Schengen visa photo | Yes, if the frames do not cover the eyes | White or off-white background | 3 or 6 months, depending on the consulate |
| Indian visa photo | No (e-Visa) | Plain light-coloured or white background | not stated |
| OCI card photo | not stated | Plain light-coloured (not white) background | not stated |
| Indian passport photo (abroad) | Take them off to avoid reflections | White background | not stated |
| PAN card photo | not stated | White background | Recent |
| China visa photo | Yes, except thick-rimmed, tinted or reflecting | White or close to white background | 6 months |
| Japanese passport photo | Yes, if no reflection and the frames do not cover the eyes | Plain background with nothing behind you (white recommended) | 6 months |
| Singapore passport photo | Clear, untinted lenses only | Plain white background | 3 months |
| Saudi eVisa photo | not stated | White background with no pattern or shadows | 6 months |
| UAE passport and Emirates ID photo | Medical glasses only, not covering the eyes | White background | 6 months |
“Not stated” means the official source we read does not cover that point. Rules change: open the document's page for the full rules and the official link.
What most documents agree on
- A neutral expression, eyes open and mouth closed, looking straight at the camera.
- No head covering unless it is worn for religious or medical reasons, with the whole face visible.
- No filters, retouching or edits. Several authorities say so by name, including the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada and Singapore: see what the authorities say about edited photos.
- Only you in the photo, with nothing else in the background.
Questions
Can you wear glasses in a passport photo?
It depends on the country. The US passport and US visa do not allow glasses (the passport accepts a doctor's signed statement), Australia allows them only for medical reasons, and the UK says to avoid them unless you have to wear them. Ireland, the Schengen visa and Japan allow them if the frames do not cover the eyes and there is no glare.
How old can a passport photo be?
Most documents in the table ask for a photo from the last 6 months. The UK passport wants one from the last month, Singapore the last 3 months, Canada's PR card and PAL 12 months, and a CSCS card accepts up to 2 years.
Does every passport photo need a white background?
No. The US passport accepts white or off-white, the UK asks for cream or light grey, and the New Zealand visa and OCI card must not have a white background at all. Check the background column for your document.
What does "not stated" mean?
The official page we read for that document does not set a rule on that point. It does not mean anything is allowed; follow general passport photo practice and check the authority's page.