Quick spec
| Size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Head height | 32–36 mm, chin to top of head |
| Background | Plain light background, not pure white |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
New Zealand passport and visa photos are administered by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and use the same 35 × 45 mm format common across much of the Asia-Pacific and Europe. The detail that trips up the most applicants isn't the size — it's the background.
The background isn't supposed to be white
Where most countries specifically want a white or off-white background, New Zealand's guidance calls for a plain, light background that is explicitly not pure white — light grey, soft blue-grey, or cream all work. This is easy to miss if you're reusing photo advice written for the US, India, or other white-background countries, or reusing an old photo taken for one of those applications.
Head position and size
Face the camera directly with a neutral expression — no smiling, mouth closed, both eyes open and clearly visible. Head height, measured from the chin to the crown, should fall between 32 and 36 mm within the 35 × 45 mm frame, roughly 70–80% of the photo's height. Keep the head level and centred, with the shoulders visible and enough space around the head to allow for cropping.
Photo age and likeness
The photo must be taken within the last 6 months and needs to be a genuine, current likeness — New Zealand's passport system uses facial recognition technology as part of its verification process, which makes an outdated or heavily edited photo more likely to cause a delay than in a purely manual review.
What isn't allowed
- Head coverings, except for religious or medical reasons, with the full face still visible.
- Digital alteration or retouching of your appearance.
- Shadows on the background or across the face.
- A smile, an open mouth, or a tilted head.
Taking the source photo
- Set up a plain, light — but not white — backdrop, evenly lit from the front.
- Stand roughly half a metre from the background so no shadow falls on it.
- Keep the camera at eye level, shoulders square to the camera.
- Take several shots so you have a choice once you start cropping.
Align to the 35 × 45 mm frame and 32–36 mm head-height guide, with the correct light (non-white) background in mind.
Open the photo toolDigital vs. printed photos
Online passport renewals generally accept a digital upload directly, with typical file-size limits in the low single-digit megabytes. Paper applications and some in-person services still require a printed photo — the print sheet option produces multiple copies at true size if you need a physical print.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a New Zealand passport photo?
A New Zealand passport photo is 35 × 45 mm, with head height between 32 and 36 mm from chin to crown.
Does a New Zealand passport photo need a white background?
No — this is the detail that catches people off guard. The Department of Internal Affairs asks for a plain light background that is specifically not pure white, unlike most other countries. Light grey, blue-grey, or cream work well.
Are New Zealand and Australian passport photos interchangeable?
They're similar — both 35 × 45 mm with a comparable head-size range — but not identical, and Australia does accept a white background where New Zealand prefers a non-white light tone. Use the New Zealand-specific setting rather than reusing an Australian photo.
Requirements are set by the Department of Internal Affairs and can change — this page is a practical summary rather than an official source. Confirm current detail before you submit an application.