New Zealand Passport Photo Requirements

The complete spec for a New Zealand Passport photo, and how to hit it at home.

Print size	35 × 45 mm
Digital	Digital accepted
Head height	Head 70–80%
Background	Plain light
Fine print	No glasses; neutral expression; no shadows.

How to shoot it

1. Daylight facing a window, plain plain light wall — see the lighting tutorial.
2. Check head height against the spec above before cropping — it is the #1 silent rejection.
3. Crop to exact size with the ID photo tool (this spec's proportions are baked in), print matte.
4. Confirm current rules with the issuing authority — specs drift, especially for digital submissions.

Other specs

FAQ

What size is a New Zealand Passport photo?

35 × 45 millimetres (Digital accepted in pixels where digital submission applies). Head height should be Head 70–80% of the frame.

What background does the New Zealand Passport photo need?

Plain light. Keep the background evenly lit — shadows are a top rejection cause. No glasses; neutral expression; no shadows.