New Zealand
Photo requirements for passports, visas, and ID cards. Includes dimensions, background rules, and biometric requirements for 1 document type.
Helpful pages for document photos in New Zealand
Use these pages to move from country-level requirements to a specific document format, troubleshooting help, and print guidance.
Main document requirements
Open the main document requirements page for this country to see dimensions, background rules, and face-position guidance.
Why photos get rejected
Fix the most common background, framing, and expression problems.
Passport Photo Size Guide
Compare this country's dimensions with other common formats.
How to print passport photos
Print at home or at a pharmacy without scaling errors.
About photo requirements
When applying for a New Zealand passport, meeting the strict standards set by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) is essential to avoid delays. The process is highly streamlined, with the DIA emphasising high-quality digital imagery for their online renewal system. Ensuring your photo adheres to these specific guidelines is the most important step in securing your travel document efficiently.
Printed New Zealand passport photos are 35 x 45 mm. Online uploads use a separate 3:4 format. Use a plain, light background; clear prescription glasses are allowed.
See the full 35 × 45 mm passport specifications for exact dimensions, face position, and background rules.
Online uploads must be JPG or JPEG, 3:4 portrait, 900-4500 pixels wide and 1200-6000 pixels high, 250 KB to 5 MB, and taken within six months.
Common issues
The most frequent reasons for rejection in New Zealand include uneven lighting that creates shadows behind the head or across the face. Many applicants also fail due to incorrect head positioning or expressions that are not strictly neutral, such as a slight smile. Additionally, photos that are over-edited or blurred often fail the automated validation checks used by the DIA, necessitating a complete resubmission of the application.
Learn more about common passport photo rejection reasons and how to fix them, or check our passport photo size guide for a global comparison.
Local tips
Use a plain, light background. Have someone else take the photo at eye level from about 1.5 m away; selfies are rejected.
For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our DIY passport photo guide or learn how to print passport photos at home.
Guides