Documents · New Zealand
New Zealand passport photo size and requirements
The photo rules for the New Zealand passport in plain words, from passports.govt.nz. In short: digital file, 900 to 4500 px wide and 1200 to 6000 px tall.
Requirements
- Digital file
- 900 to 4500 px wide and 1200 to 6000 px tall, 250 KB to 5 MB, JPEG
- Head height
- The rules give no exact head size
- Background
- Plain and even: light grey, light blue, cream
- Glasses
- Glasses are fine without glare, eyes clearly visible
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed
- Selfies
- No selfies: someone else takes the photo
- How recent
- Taken in the last 6 months
- Print sheets in PassPic
- Digital file only
Source: passports.govt.nz, last checked 14 October 2026.
“take a wider shot, including your shoulders, then crop it to the correct head-size”
Babies and young children
- Eyes must be open, also for babies.
- A baby can lie on a plain sheet and be photographed from above.
Common mistakes
- A busy or uneven background, or one that isn't light grey, light blue or cream.
- Glare on glasses, or frames that cover the eyes.
- A smile with the mouth open, or any expression that isn't neutral.
- A selfie: someone else must take the photo.
- An old photo. It must be taken in the last 6 months.
- A file of the wrong size or type. It must be: 900 to 4500 px wide and 1200 to 6000 px tall, 250 KB to 5 MB, JPEG.
- A photo that was retouched, filtered or had its background replaced.
PassPic can't measure some things, so check them yourself: glasses, head coverings and hair over the eyes.
How PassPic helps
PassPic checks your photo against these rules on your phone and marks each check Passed, Check or Fix, with a one-line tip. It crops and scales the photo to size and never changes your face or your background. Your photo is checked on your phone and never uploaded.
PassPic is coming to Google Play.
Related documents
We can't promise that any office will accept a photo; the issuing authority decides. Rules change, so read passports.govt.nz before you send your photo. PassPic is an independent app. Not affiliated with any government.