Appearance

Clothing

What you wear affects how your photo looks. The goal is to look neat and professional without distracting from your face.

• 1Wear solid, dark colors—navy, black, or dark gray work well
• 2Avoid white or very light colors that blend with the background
• 3Skip patterns, logos, and busy prints
• 4Collared shirts or simple necklines photograph best

Glasses

Rules about glasses have changed significantly. Many countries, including the US, now prohibit glasses in passport photos entirely.

• 1US passports: Glasses are banned since November 2016
• 2Most other countries: Remove glasses to avoid glare
• 3If required for medical reasons, get documentation from your doctor
• 4Tinted lenses and sunglasses are never allowed

"Solid colors photograph best"

Hair

Your hairstyle should keep your face clearly visible. Hair covering your face is a common reason for rejection.

• 1Keep hair away from your face and eyes
• 2Tie back long hair or tuck it behind your ears
• 3Avoid hairstyles that cast shadows on your face
• 4Hair accessories are fine if they don't cover your face

Makeup

Keep makeup natural and subtle. Heavy makeup can alter your appearance and cause identification issues.

• 1Use matte products to reduce shine and glare
• 2Avoid dramatic eye makeup or bold lip colors
• 3Fill in eyebrows naturally—they're important for identification
• 4Skip heavy contouring that changes your face shape