The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs : Services : Photographic Requirements


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Photographic Requirements

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Photographic Image Requirements for New Zealand Travel Documents and Citizenship Applications
The Department of Internal Affairs has specific photo standards for use in New Zealand travel documents and applications for citizenship. The photo standards came into effect on 1 June 2005.

The standards match those set by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation). ICAO photo standards were revised to accommodate the introduction of the chip-enhanced ePassport with the potential to use Facial Recognition Technology as part of border facilitation.

The Department is enforcing these requirements and any photos not meeting an acceptable standard will be rejected. The processing of the passport cannot begin until a correctly completed application is received (including photos). Any unacceptable photos will delay the time for your passport to be completed. If you are applying for a passport we recommend that you allow sufficient time for the passport to be processed.

By following the photo guidelines you can avoid application-processing delays by ensuring that acceptable photos are taken first time.

Photos in existing passports, issued before these requirements were introduced, do not need to meet the revised photo requirements.

A written summary of the photo guidelines can be found on page three of the passport application form, or in the 'Photographs' section of the citizenship application forms.

'Hot Tips' for taking travel document and citizenship photos (New tips added November 2009)

Photographic Proof of Your Identity
All applicants, including babies, must provide two identical photos of themselves. Both photos must be the same in all ways taking care they are not damaged by staples, pins, paperclips, folding or ink.

The photos must be:

Recent photos, less than six months old
A full-front view of face, head and shoulders, looking straight at the camera with eyes open and head straight
Without hat, head band or head covering. If you wear these for religious or medical reasons, please state the reason on the Statutory Declaration on page 13 of the passport application form.
In all cases, facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown
Without sunglasses. Tinted prescription glasses may be worn as long as the eyes are still visible. There must be no light reflection on the glasses. Thick or heavy rimmed frames must be removed
A true image and not altered in any way
Clear, sharp and in focus with minimum reflective light on the face
With a plain, light coloured background (not white or dark) and no background shadow
Of high quality colour showing natural skin tones (black and white photos are not acceptable), with a strong definition between your image and the background
Printed on high quality photographic paper of high resolution, instant colour film and low gloss coated thermal papers providing the printers are high resolution printing systems
Not printed with ink jet printers, on extremely high gloss paper or heavily backed thermal paper
Taken with a neutral expression with the mouth closed
With eyes open and clearly visible, and no hair across the face or eyes
Actual photo size of 45mm height x 35mm width
Head size a maximum 80% of the photo (36mm) and minimum 70% of the photo (32mm)

The identity witness who identifies you on the application form must write your full name on the back of one photo, and then sign and date it.


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Last updated: 21/04/2010