May 28, 2026 · Requirements & Rules
Glasses in Passport Photos – Rules for UK, US, EU & More
If you wear glasses, this is one of the most important things to know before getting your passport photo taken: virtually every major country now prohibits glasses in passport photos. This article explains which countries, why the rule exists, and what your options are if you wear prescription eyewear.
Short answer: No glasses allowed.
The United States (since 2016), United Kingdom, all EU/ICAO member states, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, and most other countries do not permit glasses in passport photos. Remove your glasses before taking your photo.
Glasses Rules by Country
| Country | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | Banned since November 2016 | State Department removed all glasses from acceptance. Previously allowed with no-glare rule. |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Not recommended / effectively banned | HMPO guidance says glasses "are not recommended" and photos are often rejected due to glare or frame obstruction. |
| 🇪🇺 EU / ICAO | Banned (ICAO Doc 9303) | The ICAO standard used by all EU states explicitly prohibits glasses. Applies to Germany, France, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, etc. |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Banned | Swiss passport and ID card photo requirements follow ICAO — no glasses permitted. |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Banned | DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) prohibits glasses in Australian passport photos. |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Banned | IRCC requires clear, unobstructed photos of the face. Glasses are not accepted. |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | Banned | The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) prohibits glasses in New Zealand passport photos. |
Why Are Glasses Banned in Passport Photos?
The ban on glasses is driven primarily by automated biometric facial recognitiontechnology used at border control worldwide. Modern e-passport gates and border systems scan the passport chip and compare the stored biometric data to your live face. This comparison relies heavily on the eye area — and glasses interfere in two specific ways:
- Glare and reflections: Even anti-reflective lenses can produce glare under the flash or lighting conditions of passport cameras, partially obscuring the iris and eye outline.
- Frame occlusion: Glasses frames physically cover part of the eye area — the upper and lower parts of the eye are obscured by the frame and any thick rims.
Both problems reduce the accuracy of biometric matching. As automated border systems became standard equipment, passport authorities worldwide updated their photo requirements to remove glasses. The US was one of the last major countries to implement the ban, doing so in 2016.
Before the ban, photos with glasses were acceptable if they had no visible glare and the eyes were fully visible. Today, most authorities simply reject photos with glasses outright rather than making case-by-case judgments.
What to Do If You Wear Prescription Glasses
If you wear prescription glasses daily, you have two practical options for your passport photo:
Option 1 — Remove glasses for the photo. This is the simplest solution. You will be asked to remove them when crossing borders anyway, as most border control e-gates require the traveller to match their passport photo without eyewear.
Option 2 — Wear transparent contact lenses. Transparent (clear) contact lenses are accepted in passport photos, provided they do not visibly alter the appearance of your eyes. If you usually wear contact lenses instead of glasses, there is no issue — just make sure they are not coloured or tinted.
Contact Lenses: Transparent OK, Coloured Not Allowed
Transparent (clear) contact lenses are permitted in passport photos in all major countries. They are invisible in photos and do not interfere with biometric facial recognition.
Coloured or tinted contact lenses are not permitted. Lenses that change or enhance the natural colour of your eyes are treated the same way as any other alteration to your appearance that could prevent correct identification. This applies even to very subtle tints. If your eyes look different in your passport photo compared to your natural eye colour, the application may be rejected.
Medical or Therapeutic Lenses
In rare cases, a person may have a medical requirement to wear special eyewear continuously — for example, after eye surgery or due to severe photosensitivity. Requirements vary by country and authority. In such cases, a medical certificate or note from a doctor is typically required alongside the application.
Contact your passport issuing authority directly if you believe you have a medically necessary exception — the process and documentation required will vary depending on your country.
Frequently Asked Questions
My passport was taken with glasses — is it still valid?
Yes. If your existing passport was issued with a photo that included glasses, it remains valid until its expiry date. The no-glasses rule applies at the time of application, not retrospectively.
Can I submit a passport photo with glasses if I always look like that?
No. The rule is absolute in most countries — even if you wear glasses every day, your passport photo must be taken without them.
What if I wear glasses in my passport photo by mistake?
Your application will likely be rejected and you will need to provide a new photo. To save time and resubmission fees, always remove your glasses before taking the photo.
Are sports goggles or safety glasses also banned?
Yes. Any eyewear that sits over the eyes — including sports goggles, safety glasses, or sunglasses — is not permitted in passport photos.
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