New Zealand Passport Photo Size & Requirements
The official DIA spec is a 3:4 ratio digital photo, 900 to 4500px wide by 1200 to 6000px high. Upload a photo, align it to the guide, and download, nothing is ever uploaded to a server.
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New Zealand passport photo specification
- Print size
- 45×60mm (1.77×2.36 in)
- Digital output
- 1200×1600px
- Head height (chin to crown)
- 68–78% of frame
- Background
- Plain, light-coloured background (not white), strong contrast, no shadows or objects behind you
- ·Colour digital photo, 3:4 aspect ratio, .jpg or .jpeg, between 250KB and 5MB, 900 to 4500px wide by 1200 to 6000px high
- ·Taken within the last 6 months, and it needs to be a true, current likeness of you
- ·Neutral expression, no smiling, mouth closed, eyes open
- ·Face forward and level, not tilted or turned to the side, with hair out of your eyes and away from your face
- ·A clear gap around the sides and top of your head, with your shoulders and upper chest included in frame
- ·No tinted or thick-framed glasses, a clear gap between your eyes and the frames, and no glare or reflection on the lenses
- ·No hats, hoods, or headbands, except for religious or medical reasons, and even then your face has to be fully visible
- ·No filters, editing, or AI tools used to change how you look
- ·No countersignature, guarantor, or certifier signature needed, the whole application is verified digitally
New Zealand passport applications are fully digital now, so the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) doesn't publish a separate printed size the way some countries do. Its published spec is the 3:4 ratio and pixel range above, plus qualitative guidance about head space and shoulder framing rather than an exact head-height percentage. This tool's crop guide is calibrated to that guidance using a comparable Oceania standard (Australia's), since DIA doesn't state one directly, so treat the guide as a strong starting point and run your finished photo through DIA's own Online Photo Checker before you submit it.
New Zealand passport photo size, explained
New Zealand is a bit different from most countries here. There's no printed millimetre size to hit, since the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) runs passport applications entirely online now. What you actually need is a digital file: a colour photo with a 3:4 aspect ratio, between 900 and 4500 pixels wide and 1200 to 6000 pixels high, saved as a .jpg or .jpeg between 250KB and 5MB, taken in the last 6 months.
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 3:4 (portrait) |
| Pixel dimensions | 900–4500px wide × 1200–6000px high |
| This tool's export | 1200 × 1600px (well inside DIA's range) |
| File format and size | .jpg or .jpeg, 250KB–5MB |
| How recent | Taken within the last 6 months |
DIA doesn't publish an exact head-height percentage the way the US, UK, India, Canada, or Australia do for their photos, only qualitative guidance: a clear gap around the sides and top of your head, with your shoulders and upper chest included in frame. This tool's crop guide is calibrated to that description, so you're not just guessing at where to line your head up, but DIA's own Online Photo Checker is the actual pass or fail test before you submit anything.
Taking your own NZ passport photo with a phone
You don't need a professional photographer. DIA is explicit that you can take the photo yourself, on a phone or any other camera, as long as it meets the spec above. A few things that make the difference between a photo that passes and one that gets bounced back:
- Stand about 1.5m from whoever's holding the camera, or prop your phone up if you're alone.
- Hold the camera at your own eye level, not angled up or down.
- Stand at least half a metre in front of a plain, light-coloured background, not white.
- Use even lighting so there's no shadow behind you or across your face.
- Face forward, keep your expression neutral, and keep hair out of your eyes and face.
Once you've got a shot you're happy with, upload it to the tool above. It squares off the framing against the guide and exports a file already inside DIA's accepted pixel and file-size range, so there's no separate resizing step afterward.
Where to get a passport photo taken in New Zealand
Warehouse Stationery and participating pharmacies, including Life Pharmacy and Unichem stores, offer passport photos across most New Zealand cities and towns, from Auckland and Wellington to Christchurch, Hamilton, Dunedin, and Tauranga. A professional photographer is another option if you'd rather not do it yourself. None of them are producing a different or more "official" photo than one you take yourself and crop with this tool, since DIA checks every photo against the same spec regardless of who took it. Availability and any fee charged vary by store, so it's worth calling ahead.
Related photo requirements
Common rejection reasons
Background isn’t plain or uniform
Shadows, patterns, furniture, or other people in frame are among the most common reasons photos get bounced back. Use a plain wall and even, shadow-free lighting.
Head size or position is off
Too zoomed in, too zoomed out, or off-center. Each country specifies an exact head-height range and crown position, and that's exactly what the crop guide in this tool aligns to.
Glasses, glare, or head coverings
Most countries now disallow glasses entirely (or require them glare-free with no frame over the eyes), and disallow non-religious head coverings that hide the hairline or face.
Photo is filtered, retouched, or AI-enhanced
Beauty filters, background blur, skin smoothing, and AI-generated backgrounds are explicitly rejected by several passport authorities, including the UK’s HM Passport Office.
Photo is outdated
Most countries require a photo taken within the last 6 months (the UK requires within the last month). An old photo, even a good one, can be rejected on this basis alone.
Expression or eye contact issues
Closed eyes, mouth open, smiling with teeth showing, or not looking straight at the camera are all common rejection triggers. A neutral, closed-mouth expression is the safe default.
Want the full picture across every country? See all passport photo requirements for 2026, read how to take a passport photo at home, or check what to wear and expression rules.
Frequently asked questions
What size does a New Zealand passport photo need to be?
DIA doesn't ask for a printed size, it's a digital photo with a 3:4 aspect ratio (portrait), between 900 and 4500 pixels wide and 1200 to 6000 pixels high, saved as a .jpg or .jpeg between 250KB and 5MB.
Does a New Zealand passport photo need to be taken by a professional?
No. You can take it yourself, have someone else take it, or use a service like Warehouse Stationery, a participating pharmacy, or a professional photographer. There's no guarantor signature or countersignature requirement either, the whole process is verified digitally.
How recent does a New Zealand passport photo need to be?
Less than 6 months old, and it needs to be a true, current likeness of you, not one that was accurate 6 months ago but doesn't look like you anymore.
Can you wear glasses in a New Zealand passport photo?
Only if they're not tinted or thick-framed. There has to be a clear gap between your eyes and the frames, and no glare or reflection across the lenses.
Does this tool upload my photo anywhere?
No. All the cropping and resizing happens locally in your browser using the canvas element, so your photo never leaves your device or touches a server.
Is New Zealand's exact head-size percentage published by DIA?
No, and it's worth being upfront about that. DIA publishes the 3:4 ratio, pixel range, and qualitative framing guidance (a clear gap around your head, shoulders and upper chest included), but not an exact head-height percentage or millimetre figure. This tool's guide overlay is calibrated to that guidance, but DIA's own Online Photo Checker is the final word on whether a specific photo passes.
How do I take my own New Zealand passport photo with an iPhone or Samsung?
Stand about 1.5m from whoever is taking the photo (or prop your phone up if it's just you), hold the camera at your own eye level, and stand at least half a metre in front of a plain, light-coloured wall. Face forward, keep a neutral expression, and take it in good even light with no harsh shadows. Once you've got a shot you like, upload it to the tool above to check the framing and export it at the right ratio.
Can you smile in a New Zealand passport photo?
No. DIA's guidance is explicit that smiling is not allowed, mouth closed and neutral, which matters more than usual here since the whole New Zealand application is verified digitally rather than checked by a person eyeballing a printed photo. Our guide to smiling in a passport photo covers what counts as neutral.
Can you wear makeup in a New Zealand passport photo?
DIA's guidance doesn't call out makeup specifically. The underlying rule is that the photo has to be a true, current likeness of you, so everyday makeup is fine, it's heavy contouring, filters, or anything that changes how you actually look that would cause a problem.
Can you wear earrings or piercings in a New Zealand passport photo?
DIA doesn't specifically ban jewellery or piercings in its published guidance. The practical rule of thumb is the same as everything else on the photo: nothing should obscure your face or create glare, and it should still look like you.
Do you need to shave or can you have a beard for a New Zealand passport photo?
There's no rule against facial hair in DIA's published guidance. The photo just needs to be a true, current likeness, so if you normally have a beard, keep it, and if you shave it off later, you'll want a new photo next time you renew.
Can you wear a hat, hijab, or head covering in a New Zealand passport photo?
Only for religious or medical reasons, and even then your face needs to be fully visible from chin to hairline, with nothing casting a shadow across it.
How do you take a passport photo for a baby or newborn in New Zealand?
Lay your baby down on a plain, light-coloured sheet and take the photo from directly above, with their eyes open and face visible. It's the standard workaround for infants who can't sit up or hold a neutral pose on their own.
Who can sign or certify a New Zealand passport photo?
Nobody needs to. Unlike some countries that require a countersignatory or guarantor to confirm your photo on paper, New Zealand's process is fully digital, there's no signature or certification step for the photo itself.
Where can I get a passport photo taken in New Zealand?
Warehouse Stationery and participating pharmacies, including Life Pharmacy and Unichem stores, are common options across most cities and towns, and professional photographers offer it too. Availability and any cost involved vary by store, so it's worth a quick call ahead. The free alternative is taking it yourself with your phone and using the tool above to get it to spec.
How much do passport photos cost in New Zealand?
It varies by retailer, since DIA doesn't set a fixed price for a digital photo taken elsewhere, it only covers what you pay in application fees. Pharmacies and print shops typically charge a small fee for taking and supplying the digital file. Taking your own with a phone and this tool costs nothing.
How do I check whether my New Zealand passport photo will actually be accepted?
Use this tool to get the framing, ratio, and file size right first, then run the finished photo through DIA's own Online Photo Checker before you submit your application. That checker is the official pass or fail test, this tool is what gets your photo ready for it.
Is this the same as DIA's official Online Photo Checker?
No, and it's worth being clear about that. This is an independent tool for cropping and resizing your photo to the right ratio and dimensions before you apply. It isn't affiliated with the Department of Internal Affairs, and it doesn't replace their Online Photo Checker, which is the official verification step before you submit.