Glasses in Passport Photos — Complete Rules by Country 2026
Official sources: ICAO Doc 9303 · U.S. State Department photo standards.
US Passport Guide · Last verified: April 2026
The short answer for the US: glasses are not allowed in US passport photos as of 2016. But the rules vary significantly by country — some still permit glasses under conditions. This guide covers every country's current rule on glasses in passport photos.
Same 2×2, different product: a U.S. passport, a DS-160 visa upload, a USCIS work permit (I-765) package, and a green card file all use the no-glasses (except rare medical) rule for federal photos. Always pick the right document in our tool so file size and dimensions match the portal.
United States — no glasses since 2016
The US State Department banned glasses in passport and visa photos effective November 1, 2016. This applies to:
- US passport (new and renewal)
- US visa photos
- Green card and USCIS photos
- DS-160 visa application
- DV Lottery photos
No exceptions — except documented medical necessity. If you cannot remove your glasses for a documented medical reason, you must submit a signed statement from a physician with your application. In practice, this exception is extremely rare.
Contact lenses are allowed — clear prescription lenses and natural-colour lenses are both fine. Lenses that significantly change your eye colour are not recommended but not explicitly prohibited.
Why glasses were banned
The ban came as biometric passport systems became standard. Automated facial recognition at borders measures precise distances between facial landmarks. Glasses obstruct several key reference points:
- They obscure the eye socket outline
- They create shadows that alter how the eye area is measured
- Reflections and glare further reduce measurement accuracy
- Even the frames themselves change the apparent width of the eye area
Studies showed that biometric systems matched passport photos with glasses to real faces at a significantly lower accuracy rate than photos without glasses. The ban was the practical result.
What if you always wear glasses?
Border officers are trained to verify people who wear glasses in real life against passport photos taken without glasses. The photo-to-face match is made on core features — nose width, face shape, distance between eyes — that are consistent whether you're wearing glasses or not.
You may be asked to remove your glasses briefly at passport control for visual verification. This is standard procedure.
Country-by-country glasses rules
| Country | Glasses rule |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 US | Not permitted (since 2016) |
| 🇬🇧 UK | Not permitted (since 2022) — medical exception with doctor's letter |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Not permitted |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Not permitted |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Not permitted |
| 🇫🇷 France | Not permitted (since 2022) |
| 🇨🇳 China | Not permitted |
| 🇮🇳 India | Not recommended; increasingly rejected |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | Allowed with conditions — no glare, eyes fully visible, clear lenses |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | Not permitted |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | Allowed with conditions |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | Not permitted |
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | Allowed with conditions; removing is safer |
| 🇷🇺 Russia | Allowed with conditions |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | Allowed with conditions |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | Not permitted (coloured contacts also not permitted) |
| 🇪🇺 EU/Schengen visa | Technically allowed if eyes fully visible, no glare; in practice remove glasses |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Not permitted |
Summary: The global trend is strongly toward banning glasses entirely. Countries that still "technically" allow glasses often reject photos with glasses in practice due to automated biometric checks.
What "allowed with conditions" actually means
For countries that permit glasses with conditions (Japan, Brazil, Nigeria, Russia), the typical conditions are:
- No glare or reflections on the lenses — eyes must be clearly visible
- No tinted lenses — completely clear lenses only
- Frames must not obscure the eyes — no thick rims that block the eye area
- No shadows cast by frames onto the face
Even when all conditions are met, automated biometric systems at many of these countries' facilities have been updated to flag glasses. The practical result: even where glasses are technically allowed, you risk rejection.
Recommendation for any country: remove glasses. The risk of rejection is not worth keeping glasses in the photo.
Sunglasses and tinted lenses
Sunglasses are never permitted in passport photos — for any country. This applies to:
- Standard dark sunglasses
- Lightly tinted fashion glasses
- Transition/photochromic lenses (even if they appear clear indoors)
- Any lens with any visible tint
Transition lenses are particularly tricky — they appear clear indoors and in the photo studio, but the State Department has specifically mentioned them as problematic. If you have transition lenses, get a separate pair of clear-lens glasses or contact lenses for the photo.
Contact lenses
Contact lenses are permitted in all countries, with these conditions:
- Clear or prescription lenses: always fine
- Colour-enhancing lenses (making blue eyes appear brighter blue): generally fine if the colour change is subtle
- Colour-changing lenses (turning brown eyes to blue, etc.): not recommended — may trigger biometric match issues at border if your live appearance differs significantly
- Theatrical or special effects lenses: never permitted — they completely change eye appearance
What to do if you need glasses to see
Many people feel uncomfortable without their glasses. Some practical options:
- Contacts for the photo — even if you don't regularly wear contacts, wearing them for the photo session is a simple solution
- Take the photo without glasses, wear glasses when travelling — the photo is already stored; you're not required to match the photo exactly at border control, just closely enough for verification
- Medical exception process — if you genuinely cannot function without glasses for any period, the State Department's medical exception is available with physician documentation
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?
No. The US State Department banned glasses in passport photos effective November 1, 2016. Remove all glasses — prescription, reading, fashion, and sunglasses.
What if I need glasses to see?
You can wear contacts for the photo, or simply take the photo without glasses. You're allowed to wear glasses normally — they just can't appear in the passport photo.
Can I wear glasses in a UK passport photo?
No. The UK banned glasses in 2022. The exception is documented medical necessity with a signed doctor's letter.
Are there any countries where glasses are allowed?
Japan, Brazil, and a few others technically permit glasses with strict conditions (no glare, eyes fully visible, clear lenses). However, automated biometric systems in these countries often reject glasses anyway. Removing glasses is the safest approach everywhere.
Can I wear sunglasses in a passport photo?
No — not in any country. Sunglasses are prohibited in all passport and visa photos globally, including countries that still permit prescription glasses.
Can I wear contact lenses?
Yes — clear prescription lenses and natural-colour lenses are fine for passport photos in any country.
What if I have transition lenses that look clear indoors?
The State Department has flagged transition lenses as problematic. Even if they appear clear in the studio, they're not recommended. Wear contacts or take the photo without any eyewear.
See also
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