Can I wear glasses in a passport or visa photo?
TL;DR Most say yes with conditions — clear lenses, no glare, frames off the eyes. Japan's visa says no. Mexico's visa says no. Singapore's ICA wants clear untinted lenses with the eyes clearly visible. Removing them is accepted everywhere, so when in doubt, take them off.
The conditions, where glasses are allowed
They are always the same three: the lenses must be clear (no tint, no sunglasses), there must be no reflection or glare across the eyes, and the frame must not cover any part of the eye. Heavy frames are discouraged by ICAO and by Taiwan; thin ones pass. Prescription is not the test — visibility of the eyes is.
Where they are refused
Japan's visa: the Singapore centre's list says "no spectacles". Mexico's visa: "no glasses", from the Embassy's specification. These are the only two on this site that refuse outright; guides that say the same of China are repeating an old rumour — CVASC allows them unless thick-rimmed, tinted or glaring.
Glasses, document by document — as each authority's page reads
| Document | Glasses | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore passport / IC | Yes | Clear, untinted lenses; eyes clearly visible |
| China visa | Yes | Not thick-rimmed, tinted or glare-producing |
| Japan visa | No | "No spectacles" — JVAC Singapore |
| Mexico visa | No | "No glasses" — Embassy specification |
| Schengen / UAE (ICAO) | Yes | Eyes clear, no reflection, no tint; avoid heavy frames |
| New Zealand passport | Yes | Not tinted or thick-framed; no glare |
| New Zealand visa | Yes | Clear, thin-framed, no glare |
| Taiwan passport | Yes | Eyes clear, no glare; avoid tinted and heavy frames |
| Thailand e-Visa | Yes | No flash reflection on the eyeballs |
| Korea visa | Yes (sunglasses no) | Only sunglasses and hats are named as refused |
A real case
One customer, one photo in thin clear frames, three uses: accepted for a Schengen visa and a Singapore passport, refused at JVAC for Japan. Nothing about the photo changed except the rule.
Common questions
- Will the tool remove my glasses?
- No. It leaves your face — and your glasses — as photographed. For Japan and Mexico, take them off before the photo.
- What about glare I cannot see?
- Tilt the head down a degree or two and move the light source off-axis; or take them off. Glare is the most common glasses rejection on every page that allows them.
Related documents
- Singapore passport — 35 × 45 mm
- China visa — 33 × 48 mm
- Japan visa — 35 × 45 mm
- Mexico visa — 26 × 32 mm
- Schengen visa — 35 × 45 mm
- New Zealand passport — 51 × 68 mm
- Taiwan passport — 35 × 45 mm
- Thailand visa — 35 × 45 mm
- South Korea visa — 35 × 45 mm
Sources
Read on the issuing authority's own pages on the dates shown on each document page:
- Singapore passport: www.ica.gov.sg (read 2026-09-06)
- China visa: bio.visaforchina.cn (read 2026-09-06)
- Japan visa: visa.vfsglobal.com (read 2026-09-06)
- Mexico visa: embamex.sre.gob.mx (read 2026-09-06)
- Schengen visa: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu (read 2026-09-06)
- New Zealand passport: www.passports.govt.nz (read 2026-09-06)
- Taiwan passport: www.roc-taiwan.org (read 2026-09-06)
- Thailand visa: singapore.thaiembassy.org (read 2026-09-06)
- South Korea visa: overseas.mofa.go.kr (read 2026-09-06)
SGfoto is independent — not affiliated with or endorsed by any government or issuing authority — and does not guarantee acceptance. Requirements change; the authority's page is the one that counts. Rebuilt 2026-09-16.