New Zealand Passport Photo
New Zealand passport photos are 35 × 45 mm on a plain, light — not white — background, head including hair filling 80% of the frame. Photos must be less than six months old.
- Printed size
- 35 × 45 mm
- Digital size
- 413 × 531 px
- Background
- Plain light (not white)
- Head height
- 80% of image height (including hair)
Size & specifications
New Zealand Passport Photo — requirements
| Printed size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 413 × 531 px |
| Head height | 80% of image height (including hair) |
| Background | Plain light (not white) |
| Resolution | ≥ 300 DPI |
| Recency | Within 6 months |
| Glasses / expression | — · — |
| Digital format | 35 × 45 mm |
One upload, two deliveries: the pixel-exact digital file and a 300 dpi print-ready sheet.
What each line means
Printed size — print at exactly 35 × 45 mm. A few millimetres off and most offices hand the form back before anything else is checked.
Digital size — the digital file must measure 413 × 531 px. Anything smaller gets refused by many online systems before a person sees it.
Head height — your head, crown to chin, should span 80% of image height (including hair). Too small reads distant; too large and the crop will not fit.
Background — a plain Plain light (not white) background, with no shadows or gradients. A wall lit unevenly is the fastest route to a refusal.
Resolution — 300 dpi keeps a face sharp in print. Below that, features soften and agencies ask for a retake.
Recency — Within 6 months. Hair, glasses and weight change faster than people assume, and the officer compares the photo with you at the counter.
Digital format — some portals accept a single file type and quietly refuse everything else. Check what you are handing over before you upload.
Photo examples
What passes — and what gets rejected.
How it works
Photo tips
Frequently asked questions
What size is a New Zealand Passport Photo?
The standard size is 35 × 45 mm (413 × 531 px at 300 DPI). The tool crops and scales your photo to exact requirements automatically.
Can I smile in the photo?
Requirements call for: a natural expression. When in doubt, keep a neutral face with both eyes open.
How recent must the photo be?
Within 6 months Old photos are a common rejection reason.
Is my photo private?
Yes. Uploaded photos are encrypted in transit and automatically deleted within 24 hours. We never share or resell uploads.