Pick your passport: what to wear and how to look in the photo, the office’s own rules on glasses, head coverings, uniforms, earrings, hair, makeup and smiling, word for word, and the photo guides’ advice on the rest.
U.S. passport photo · What to wear and how to look
Glasses off, a plain medium or dark topEveryday clothes, never a uniform or camouflage; no hat unless you wear it for your faith or health; earrings and piercings that hide nothing. A closed-mouth smile is allowed.
- Glasses
- Take your glasses off
- Smiling
- A closed-mouth smile is allowed
- Your top
- A top that stands out from a white background
A white or light top Mind the background
No rule on colour, but the background is white or off-white, so a white top can blend into it.
- “Use a white or off-white background without shadows, texture, or lines” — U.S. State Department
Photo guides A medium or dark colour: navy, black, burgundy, charcoal or dark green
- “Darker shades like black, navy, burgundy, charcoal, or dark green create a strong contrast against the white or light gray background used for US passport photos.” — Smartphone iD
- “Wear neutral or darker colours to contrast with the light background.” — Smartphone iD (makeup)
- “You’ll be up against a white background, and if you wear a white top, you’ll look like a floating head.” — Scary Mommy
Uniforms and camouflage Not allowed
No uniform, nothing that looks like one, and no camouflage.
- “You cannot wear a uniform, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage clothing.” — U.S. State Department
Photo guides Clothes you really wear, not a costume for the photo
- “Wear everyday clothing you normally wear in public (for example, a simple shirt or blouse).” — Smartphone iD
- “You must wear regular clothing.” — Scary Mommy
Photo guides Plain: no big logo, slogan or busy print
- “Choose plain or subtly patterned clothing without large logos or graphics to keep the focus on your face.” — Smartphone iD
- “Steer clear of busy patterns, logos, or slogans on clothing for the same reason as above.” — Polka Dot Passport
- “Even if they’re flattering in real life, patterns like stripes and florals can end up photographing funny in tighter shots like a passport photo.” — The Everygirl
Photo guides Matte fabric: no neon, sequins or metallics
- “Very bright neon colors, metallic fabrics, sequins, and other reflective materials can cause glare and odd reflections on your photo.” — Smartphone iD
- “Avoid wearing bright or fluorescent colours.” — Polka Dot Passport
Necklines and collars No written rule
No office writes a rule on necklines; the photo guides do.
Photo guides A neckline that frames your face: a V, round or boat neck, or a collar
- “V-necks or round necks are preferable as they frame the face nicely.” — Polka Dot Passport
- “boatneck tops are an easy way to flatter and accentuate your shoulder and neck area” — The Everygirl
- “Wear a collared shirt when going in for your visa picture.” — Project Vanity
Photo guides Nothing up to your chin: no hood, high turtleneck or big scarf
- “Don’t wear hoodies, high turtlenecks, or scarves that cover your neck, jawline, or chin.” — Smartphone iD
- “Avoid necklines that are too high or too embellished.” — Polka Dot Passport
- “That means no hats, glasses, sunglasses, face masks, scarves, or anything that blocks the view of your face.” — Scary Mommy
Glasses Not allowed
Glasses off, clear ones too; only a doctor’s signed note lets you keep them on.
- “Take off any eyeglasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses.” — U.S. State Department
- “If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with your application.” — U.S. State Department
Hats and head coverings With conditions
A hat comes off. A covering worn for your faith or health can stay, with a signed statement, if it is one plain colour and your whole face shows.
- “Take off your hat or head covering.” — U.S. State Department
- “If you wear one for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that says it is religious attire worn daily in public.” — U.S. State Department
- “It should be one color” — U.S. State Department
- “The material should not have patterns or small holes” — U.S. State Department
Masks and face coverings Not allowed
Take off any mask or face covering.
- “Take off any face covering or medical mask so your full face is visible and the face covering or mask do not block portions of your face.” — U.S. State Department
Headphones and earbuds Not allowed
No headphones and no wireless earbuds.
- “You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices.” — U.S. State Department
Earrings and face piercings Allowed
Jewellery and face piercings can stay if they do not hide your face.
- “You can wear jewelry and keep on your facial piercings as long as they do not hide your face.” — U.S. State Department
Photo guides Small, matte earrings: nothing big or shiny
- “Avoid large, flashy pieces that could cause glare or be distracting.” — Smartphone iD
- “Large earrings or necklaces can obscure the face or reflect light, affecting the photo’s quality.” — Polka Dot Passport
Hair and bangs With conditions
The U.S. page sets no hair rule beyond a clear, full view of your face.
- “Face the camera directly with full face in view.” — U.S. State Department
Photo guides Up or down are both fine: a bun, ponytail or braids
- “You can wear your hair up in a passport photo. Ponytails, braids, and buns are allowed.” — Passport Photo Online (hair)
- “You may wear your hair up, down, curly, straight, in a bun, ponytail, afro, braids, or dreadlocks.” — Smartphone iD (hair)
Photo guides Pin bangs back if they reach your eyebrows
- “Yes, you can have bangs if they don’t obscure your eyes or eyebrows.” — Passport Photo Online (hair)
- “If your bangs partially cover your eyes, consider pinning them back temporarily.” — Smartphone iD (hair)
Photo guides No headband, bow or decorative clip
- “You can’t wear headbands or any other hair accessories except head coverings worn for religious or medical reasons.” — Passport Photo Online (hair)
- “Decorative accessories are not permitted” — Smartphone iD (hair)
Makeup No written rule
The U.S. page says nothing about makeup.
Photo guides No more makeup than on a normal day
- “make sure you wear no more makeup for your passport photo than you normally would” — Passport Photo Online (makeup)
- “Keep your look simple, matte, and close to your everyday appearance.” — Smartphone iD (makeup)
- “Keep your hair and makeup natural.” — Polka Dot Passport
Photo guides Matte, not shiny: the flash shows every shine
- “Instead, use a matte or demi-matte foundation, along with a translucent setting powder to absorb any excess oil.” — Passport Photo Online (makeup)
- “A matte finish helps reduce shine and prevents glare under lighting.” — Smartphone iD (makeup)
- “Matte is recommended because that harsh flash also magnifies the shine of light-reflecting makeup.” — Project Vanity
Photo guides Foundation that matches your neck
- “Jackie adds that it is very important that your face, neck, and chest match in color if you wear foundation.” — Passport Photo Online (makeup)
- “And wear foundation that matches your neck.” — Project Vanity
Photo guides Skip glitter, shimmer and bright lipstick
- “You should also avoid wet skin effect makeup or anything with a shimmer effect.” — Passport Photo Online (makeup)
- “Avoid heavy foundation, dramatic contouring, bold lipstick, glitter, strong eye makeup, or anything that hides your facial features.” — Smartphone iD (makeup)
- “Avoid brightly colored lipsticks, and go for more neutral lipstick with a natural everyday look.” — Passport Photo Online (makeup)
Smiling Allowed
A neutral face or a smile, eyes open and mouth closed.
- “Have a neutral facial expression with both eyes open and mouth closed.” — U.S. State Department
- “Yes. Make sure your eyes are open and your mouth is closed in your photo.” — U.S. State Department
The office decides
The office has the last word: it may refuse a photo that breaks its rules
- “Your application will be delayed if your photos do not meet the rules.” — GOV.UK
- “If your photo does not meet these guidelines, we may ask you to provide a new one at the time you lodge your application, or while it is being assessed.” — Australian Passport Office
- “We’ll reject your application if the photos have been altered in any way.” — Government of Canada
The rest of the rules for this passport
Where the photo guides differ
A white top
- “When in doubt, grab the white button-up.” — The Everygirl
- “Opt for solid, neutral colours like black, white, or grey.” — Polka Dot Passport
- “A white or very light top can blend into the background and make your outline unclear, which can lead to your photo being rejected.” — Smartphone iD
- “Avoid wearing light-coloured clothing.” — Government of Canada
Should your ears show?
- “Ideally, your ears should be visible in passport photos.” — Passport Photo Online (hair)
- “It should be able to show your ears.” — Project Vanity
- “The U.S. Department of State does not require ear visibility.” — Smartphone iD (hair)
Foundation with sunscreen (SPF)
- “When you choose your foundation, Carla advises against using SPF (Sun Protection Factor) makeup.” — Passport Photo Online (makeup)
- “Wear a matte foundation with little to no SPF.” — Project Vanity
- “That’s why, for foundation, we recommend Double Wear Sheer Longwear Makeup SPF20.” — Estée Lauder
How much contour
- “Contour as if your life depends on it.” — Project Vanity
- “Be as generous with the contouring and concealer as you’d like.” — Scary Mommy
- “Light contouring is acceptable, but heavy contouring that changes your facial structure may lead to rejection.” — Smartphone iD (makeup)
This page covers what to wear and how to look. The photo’s size, its background and how to crop it are in Travel Magma’s free Passport & Visa Photo Maker.
The rules are quoted from 5 passport offices’ own photo pages (the U.S. State Department, GOV.UK, the Government of Canada, the Australian Passport Office and the Irish Passport Service); the advice from 10 photo and beauty guides, each line on at least two. Checked 2026-10-16. Ours: the seven checks, which topics show first, and the short line over each quoted list.
Quick answer: wear a plain top in a medium or dark colour (navy, black, burgundy, dark green) so you stand out from the light background, with a neckline that shows your neck. Take your glasses off for a U.S., UK or Australian passport; no hat, no headphones, nothing over your face. Earrings that hide nothing are fine. Keep makeup natural and matte, and your hair off your eyes.
How to use it
Pick your passport: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia or Ireland. Then pick what you want to check: everything, your clothes and their colour, glasses, hats and earbuds, earrings and piercings, your hair, or your makeup. The tool shows that passport office’s rule for each one in its own words, with a badge (allowed, not allowed, with conditions, avoid, or no written rule), and under it the advice of the photo and beauty guides we read, each line on at least two of them. Open The rest of the rules for everything else, and Where the guides differ for a white top, your ears, foundation with SPF and contour. Every answer has its own link you can save or send.
Passport photo rules by country
| Passport | Glasses | Smiling | Hats and head coverings | Your top |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | Take your glasses off | A closed-mouth smile is allowed | No hat; a religious or medical covering with a signed statement | A top that stands out from a white background |
| UK | Glasses off, unless you must wear them | A plain expression, mouth closed | No hat; a religious or medical covering is fine | A top that stands out from a light background |
| Canada | Clear glasses can stay on | No smile | No hat; a covering you wear daily for faith or health | Avoid light-coloured clothes |
| Australia | Take your glasses off | A neutral expression | No hat; a plain religious covering is fine | A top that stands out from a white or grey background |
| Ireland | Clear glasses can stay on | No smile | No hat; a religious or medical covering is fine | A top that stands out from a light background |
Each line is our short version of the office’s own page, listed at the end; the tool quotes the page under every one. No office sets a dress code beyond these lines: what colour to wear and which neckline are the photo guides’ advice, and the tool marks them that way.
What colour to wear for a passport photo
A medium or dark colour, because every one of these offices asks for a light background. The U.S. State Department: “Use a white or off-white background without shadows, texture, or lines”. Canada is the only office that names clothes by colour: “Avoid wearing light-coloured clothing. It can blend into the background and may result in your photo being rejected.” The guides agree on the darker side; Smartphone iD: “Darker shades like black, navy, burgundy, charcoal, or dark green create a strong contrast against the white or light gray background used for US passport photos.”
Keep it plain and matte. Polka Dot Passport: “Steer clear of busy patterns, logos, or slogans on clothing for the same reason as above.” Neon, sequins and metallic fabric throw glare back at the camera. A V, round or boat neckline or a collar frames your face; a hood, a high turtleneck or a big scarf hides your jaw.
Can you wear white in a passport photo?
You can, but it is the riskiest colour, and Canada tells you not to. Smartphone iD: “A white or very light top can blend into the background and make your outline unclear, which can lead to your photo being rejected.” Two guides still like it; The Everygirl: “When in doubt, grab the white button-up.” If white is what you have, a jacket or cardigan in a darker colour over it solves it.
Glasses, hats, earbuds and earrings
Glasses come off for a U.S. passport. The State Department: “Take off any eyeglasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses.” The UK and Australia say the same unless you must wear them; Canada and Ireland accept clear glasses if your eyes show and nothing glares. Ireland: “You can wear glasses. The frame must not cover any part of your eyes. There must be no glare on the lenses. Dark glasses are not permitted.”
A hat comes off everywhere; a covering you wear for your faith or health can stay. In the U.S. you add a signed statement, and the covering should be one colour: “It should be one color”. Headphones and earbuds come out (“You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices.”), and Australia keeps a hearing aid you usually wear. Earrings and face piercings are fine if they hide nothing: “You can wear jewelry and keep on your facial piercings as long as they do not hide your face.” Australia adds: “There must also be no reflection from any rings or studs.”
Passport photo hair and makeup
Any hairstyle works if your face shows: up, down, a bun, a ponytail or braids. The UK asks you to “not have hair in front of your eyes”; Canada wants the edges of your face visible. Pin back bangs that reach your eyebrows, and leave the headband or decorative clip at home.
No office sets a makeup rule, but three ask for your natural skin tone, and Australia’s own examples show a photo refused for “Too much make up”. Wear what you wear on a normal day, matte rather than shiny, with foundation that matches your neck. Project Vanity: “Matte is recommended because that harsh flash also magnifies the shine of light-reflecting makeup.” Skip glitter, shimmer and bright lipstick.
Where the guides differ
- A white top: The Everygirl and Polka Dot Passport suggest white; Smartphone iD and the Government of Canada say avoid it. The safer side is a darker colour.
- Whether your ears must show: Passport Photo Online and Project Vanity say ideally yes; Smartphone iD: “The U.S. Department of State does not require ear visibility.” None of the five offices asks for it.
- Foundation with SPF: Passport Photo Online and Project Vanity advise against it, because sunscreen can leave a white cast under the flash; Estée Lauder recommends its own SPF 20 foundation.
- How much contour: Project Vanity and Scary Mommy say be generous; Smartphone iD: “Light contouring is acceptable, but heavy contouring that changes your facial structure may lead to rejection.” With Australia’s “Too much make up” in mind, the lighter side is the safer one.
Common mistakes
- A white or cream top against a white background, so your shoulders disappear.
- Glasses left on for a U.S. passport: they are not allowed even when clear, unless a doctor signs a note.
- A smile with teeth: the U.S. allows a smile with your mouth closed; the UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland want a neutral face.
- Wireless earbuds still in, or a headband holding your hair back.
- Shimmer, glitter or a dewy finish that the flash turns into glare.
Outfit and beauty ideas
For a look that photographs well under a flash, see NeedleStyle’s no-makeup makeup and soft makeup looks, curtain bangs (and how to pin them back), stud earrings that hide nothing, and a comfortable airport outfit for the trip itself. The makeup for your eye colour tool picks shades, the Bangs Finder finds bangs that suit your face, and the Dress Code Decoder explains an invitation’s dress code. For the photo’s size and crop, Travel Magma’s Passport & Visa Photo Maker fits your own photo to the U.S. 2 × 2 inch size.
The pages we read
The passport offices: the U.S. State Department’s photo requirements, GOV.UK’s photos for passports, the Government of Canada’s passport photos, the Australian Passport Office’s passport photos and the Irish Passport Service’s photo guidelines. The State Department’s page refuses automated readers, so we read its Internet Archive copy of 24 May 2026 (the page was last updated on 15 December 2025).
The photo and beauty guides: Smartphone iD (with its makeup and hair pages), Passport Photo Online on makeup and hair, The Everygirl, Polka Dot Passport, Scary Mommy, Project Vanity and Estée Lauder. Every quote was checked against its page on 16 October 2026. The office has the last word on your photo: check its page before you go.
FAQ
What should I wear for a passport photo?
A plain top in a medium or dark colour, such as navy, black, burgundy or dark green, with a neckline that shows your neck. No uniform, camouflage, big logo or busy print. Take off your hat, headphones and (for a U.S., UK or Australian passport) your glasses, and keep makeup natural.
What colour shirt should I wear for a passport photo?
A medium or dark colour that stands out from the white or light grey background: navy, black, burgundy, charcoal or dark green. Avoid white, cream and very pale shades; Canada’s passport office tells you to avoid light-coloured clothing.
Can you wear glasses in a passport photo?
Not for a U.S. or Australian passport, unless a medical reason stops you taking them off (the U.S. asks for a doctor’s signed note). The UK says no unless you must. Canada and Ireland accept clear glasses if your eyes show and the lenses do not glare. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are out everywhere.
Can you wear earrings in a passport photo?
Yes. The U.S. allows jewellery and face piercings as long as they do not hide your face, and Australia adds that rings and studs must not reflect light. Small, matte earrings are the safe choice.
Can you wear makeup in a passport photo?
Yes, if it looks like you on a normal day. No office bans makeup, but Canada, Australia and Ireland ask for your natural skin tone, and Australia shows a photo refused for too much makeup. Choose a matte finish and skip glitter and shimmer.
Can you smile in a passport photo?
For a U.S. passport, a smile with your mouth closed is allowed. The UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland ask for a neutral or plain expression with your mouth closed, so no smile.
Can I wear a hat in my passport photo?
No. A head covering you wear for religious or medical reasons can stay, with your whole face showing; the U.S. asks for a signed statement, and Australia wants it plain, without even a small pattern.
Can you wear your hair up in a passport photo?
Yes: up, down, a bun, a ponytail or braids are all fine, as long as no hair covers your eyes or the edges of your face. Pin back bangs that reach your eyebrows, and take out headbands and decorative clips.