New Zealand passport photo size — 35×45 mm
New Zealand passport photos must be exactly 35×45 mm (413×531 px at 300 DPI) on a light-grey background.
Checked August 21, 2026 against New Zealand Passports (Department of Internal Affairs) — Passport photos.
Specification
| Size (mm) | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Size (inches) | 1.38 × 1.77 in |
| Size (pixels @ 300 DPI) | 413 × 531 px |
| Head height | 32–36 mm |
| Background | light-grey |
Requirements
- Photo must be 35mm × 45mm for a paper application (online applications use a 33×44mm digital crop at a 3:4 ratio).
- Head height should occupy 70–80% of the photo, roughly 32mm to 36mm from crown to chin.
- Background must be plain and light-coloured — light blue, light grey, or cream. A white background is not accepted.
- For online applications, the digital file must be JPG/JPEG only — PNG, GIF, and HEIC are rejected.
- Photo must be taken by another person standing about 1.5 metres away — selfies are not accepted.
Print several at once
8 New Zealand passport photos fit on a single 4×6 inch print. 30 fit on an A4 sheet.
Build a print-ready sheetFrequently asked questions
Can I use a white background for a New Zealand passport photo?
No — the Department of Internal Affairs specifically requires a light background that is not white; light blue, light grey, or cream are the recommended choices.
Can I take my own New Zealand passport photo as a selfie?
No — the photo must be taken by another person standing about 1.5 metres away from you. This applies to both adult and child applications.
Is the online New Zealand passport photo the same size as the paper one?
Not exactly — paper applications use a 35×45mm print, while the online application crops to 33×44mm at a 3:4 ratio.
Checked August 21, 2026 against New Zealand Passports (Department of Internal Affairs) — Passport photos. We can’t guarantee any office will accept your photo — rules change, so always check the official source before you apply. See our disclaimer.