New Zealand passport photo size
A New Zealand passport photo is 35 × 45 mm printed, or a 3:4 colour portrait between 900 × 1200 and 4500 × 6000 px and 250 KB to 5 MB for the online application, on a plain light background. The head including hair fills about 80% of the height. Export the 1200 × 1600 px upload, a print or a 4 × 6 in sheet.
- Document
- Passport
- Photo size
- 35 × 45 mm
- Chin to crown
- About 80% of the height
- Background
- Plain and light; the paper form says light but not white
- Photo age
- Less than 6 months old
- Online upload
- 1200 × 1600 px (900 × 1200 to 4500 × 6000 px accepted), JPG, 250 KB to 5 MB
- Print export
- 413 × 531 px at 300 ppi, 8 copies per 4 × 6 in sheet
The head including hair fills about 80% of the image height (36 mm of a 45 mm print), centred with a clear gap at the sides and top.
Online applications upload a 3:4 digital photo; paper applications take two 35 × 45 mm prints. Selfies are rejected.
Two identical colour prints on high-quality, high-resolution photo paper: no matte paper, heavy thermal paper or inkjet printer; do not staple them.
A colour portrait between 900 × 1200 and 4500 × 6000 px, 250 KB to 5 MB. Scans of prints are rejected. If the photo looks distorted, step back, take a wider shot including the shoulders and crop it to the correct head size. Test it with the official online photo checker before applying.
Official requirements — New Zealand Passports (Te Tari Taiwhenua)
Place the crown and chin at the guide lines and the eyes in the band when one is shown. The oval is an approximate placement guide, not a face measurement or approval check.
This authority publishes no head height: keep the face centred with space above the head and the shoulders visible.
New Zealand passport photo dimensions
Paper applications take two identical colour prints of the standard 35 × 45 mm size. No head height in millimetres is published; the paper form guide notes say the head including hair is 80% of the image height, about 36 mm, centred with a clear gap at the sides and top.
The online photo
The digital photo is between 900 × 1200 and 4500 × 6000 px, 250 KB to 5 MB, less than 6 months old; scans of prints are rejected. If the photo looks distorted, step back, take a wider shot including the shoulders and crop it to the correct head size. The official online photo checker tests the technical requirements before you apply.
How to take it
Selfies are rejected: someone else takes the photo from about 1.5 m away at eye level, with you at least half a metre in front of the background. Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, face forward and not tilted; a true image with no filters, editing or AI tools.
Prints, glasses and head coverings
Print on high-quality high-resolution photo paper, not matte paper, heavy thermal paper or an inkjet printer, and do not staple the prints. Prescription glasses are allowed if not tinted or thick-framed, with a clear gap between the eyes and the frames and no glare. Head coverings only for religious or medical reasons.
How to take a valid photo
The shared ICAO points first, then what this authority adds.
- Have someone else take the photo at eye level from a few steps away; most authorities reject selfies.
- Face the camera straight on with your head level, both eyes open, mouth closed and a neutral expression.
- Light the face evenly: no shadows on the face or the background, no flash reflections, no red-eye.
- Keep the photo as taken: no filters, retouching, background replacement or AI edits.
- Only you in the frame, nothing covering the face, hair away from the eyes, no uniform.
- Leave space around the head and shoulders so the crop can follow the guide.
- Have someone else take the photo from about 1.5 m away at eye level, with you at least half a metre in front of the background.
- Prescription glasses are allowed if not tinted or thick-framed, with a clear gap between the eyes and the frames and no glare.
- Head coverings only for religious or medical reasons, with the face fully visible; no hats, hoods or headbands.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, face forward and not tilted; a true image with no filters, editing or AI tools.
Official sources
Requirements checked on 27 October 2026 against the official pages below. The issuing authority makes the acceptance decision; nothing on this page certifies a photo.
To compare formats, see passport photo sizes by country.
Related free photo tools
- Free toolPassport photo size by countryCompare passport photo sizes and official application rules for 40 countries. Align a private head guide; export prints, 4 × 6 in sheets and upload files where the authority allows it.
- Free toolNigeria passport photo sizeNigerian passport photos are 35 × 45 mm with the head 29–34 mm, uploaded to the portal as 600 × 800 px under 2 MB on a white background. Crop the upload or a print here.
- Free toolPakistan passport photo sizePakistani passport photos are 35 × 45 mm with the head 29–34 mm, professionally taken, uploaded to the DGI&P e-Services portal (JPG or PNG up to 350 KB). Crop the upload here.
- Free toolPhilippines passport photoPhilippine passport photos are captured at the DFA Consular Office, so there is nothing to crop. Visa photos are 2 × 2 in or 35 × 45 mm depending on the post; read the rules.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a New Zealand passport photo?
35 × 45 mm printed; 900 × 1200 to 4500 × 6000 px online, 250 KB to 5 MB.
How big should the head be?
About 80% of the image height including hair, around 36 mm on a 45 mm print, with a clear gap around the sides and top.
Can I upload a selfie?
No. Selfies are rejected; have someone else take the photo from about 1.5 m away.
Is there an official way to test my photo?
Yes. The online photo checker at onlinephotochecker.passports.govt.nz tests the technical requirements before you apply.