Documents · New Zealand
New Zealand visa and NZeTA photo size and requirements
The photo rules for the New Zealand visa and NZeTA in plain words, from immigration.govt.nz. In short: 35 × 45 mm print or digital file.
Requirements
- Printed photo
- 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
- Digital file
- 900 to 2250 px wide and 1200 to 3000 px tall, 512 KB to 3 MB, JPEG
- Head height
- 70 to 80 % of the photo height, chin to the top of the head
- Eye height from the bottom
- 50 to 70 % of the photo height
- Background
- Plain and even: light grey
- Glasses
- Glasses are fine without glare, eyes clearly visible
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed
- Selfies
- No selfies: someone else takes the photo
- How recent
- Taken in the last 6 months
- Print sheets in PassPic
- 4 × 6 in, 10 × 15 cm, A4, Letter
Source: immigration.govt.nz, last checked 14 October 2026.
“your face covers between 70% and 80% of the image”
Common mistakes
- A head that is too small or too large. It must be 70 to 80 % of the photo height, chin to the top of the head.
- A busy or uneven background, or one that isn't light grey.
- Glare on glasses, or frames that cover the eyes.
- A smile with the mouth open, or any expression that isn't neutral.
- A selfie: someone else must take the photo.
- An old photo. It must be taken in the last 6 months.
- A file of the wrong size or type. It must be: 900 to 2250 px wide and 1200 to 3000 px tall, 512 KB to 3 MB, JPEG.
- A photo that was retouched, filtered or had its background replaced.
PassPic can't measure some things, so check them yourself: glasses, head coverings and hair over the eyes.
How PassPic helps
PassPic checks your photo against these rules on your phone and marks each check Passed, Check or Fix, with a one-line tip. It crops and scales the photo to size and never changes your face or your background. Your photo is checked on your phone and never uploaded.
PassPic is coming to Google Play.
Related documents
We can't promise that any office will accept a photo; the issuing authority decides. Rules change, so read immigration.govt.nz before you send your photo. PassPic is an independent app. Not affiliated with any government.