What size is a New Zealand passport photo?
TL;DR A New Zealand passport photo is 51 × 68 mm on a plain, light-coloured, strongly contrasting with your face background, supplied at 1500 × 2000 px (750 DPI). The expression must be neutral, mouth closed, looking directly at camera, and the photo must have been taken within the last 6 months.
Specification at a glance
| Print size | 51 × 68 mm |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 1500 × 2000 px at 750 DPI |
| Background | plain, light-coloured, strongly contrasting with your face (#FFFFFF) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Gaze | Directly at camera |
| Maximum age of photo | 6 months |
| Required file format | JPEG |
Rules that apply to this document
- Aspect ratio must be 3:4 — not the 35 x 45 mm shape most countries use
- Digital photo, JPEG, 900-4500 px wide and 1200-6000 px high, 250 KB to 5 MB
- Less than 6 months old
- Scans of printed photos are not accepted
- Selfies are rejected — someone else must take it, standing 1.5 m away at your eye level
- Cropping to the correct head size is expressly allowed
- Prescription glasses allowed if not tinted or thick-framed; no sunglasses
- Head coverings only for religious or medical reasons, and the face must show fully
- Do not use filters or AI tools to change how you look
Can I wear a head covering?
A habitually worn religious or cultural head covering — a tudung, hijab, turban, kippah or songkok — is generally permitted, provided your face stays visible: forehead edge, both cheeks, jaw line and chin.
Where these figures come from
Checked against the issuing authority's own page on 2026-09-06. Published by the issuing authority: www.passports.govt.nz. SGfoto is independent, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government or issuing authority, and does not guarantee acceptance. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.
Common questions
- What size is a New Zealand passport photo?
- A New Zealand passport photo is 51 × 68 mm, printed or supplied digitally at 1500 × 2000 pixels (750 DPI), on a plain, light-coloured, strongly contrasting with your face background.
- Can I take a New Zealand passport photo with my phone?
- Yes. Take a plain, front-facing photo in even light and SGfoto reformats it to 51 × 68 mm on a plain, light-coloured, strongly contrasting with your face background. Hold the phone at eye level — a shot from above or below looks less like you.
- How recent must a New Zealand passport photo be?
- It must have been taken within the last 6 months.
- What file format does a New Zealand passport photo need?
- JPEG. New Zealand does not accept other formats for this document, so SGfoto delivers it as a .jpg file.
- Can I wear a head covering in a New Zealand passport photo?
- A habitually worn religious or cultural head covering — a tudung, hijab, turban, kippah or songkok — is generally permitted, provided your face stays visible: forehead edge, both cheeks, jaw line and chin.
- How much does a New Zealand passport photo cost on SGfoto?
- The watermarked preview is free, so you see the result before paying. The full-resolution file is S$1.99.
Make a New Zealand passport photo →
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