Can You Wear Glasses in a Passport Photo? (2025)

Glasses in Passport Photos — Rules by Country

Country	Glasses Allowed?	Rule Since
🇺🇸 USA	❌ No	November 2016
🇬🇧 UK	❌ No	2018
🇮🇳 India	❌ No	2014
🇨🇦 Canada	❌ No	Recent years
🇦🇺 Australia	❌ No	2015
🇩🇪 Germany (EU)	❌ No	2017
🇿🇦 South Africa	⚠️ Preferably no	No tinted lenses

⚠️ Medical exemptions: Medical exemptions for glasses in passport photos are extremely rare and generally not accepted in most countries since 2017. Even if you require glasses for medical reasons, passport authorities typically still require the photo without glasses.

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Remove your glasses and upload to PassportSnap. We handle the rest — compliant photos in 2 minutes.

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Why Were Glasses Banned?

Glasses were banned from passport photos for two main reasons:

Biometric facial recognition: Modern border control uses automated facial recognition. Glasses — especially frames — interfere with accurate facial matching algorithms.
Glare and reflection: Glasses create glare and reflections that obscure parts of the face in photos, making biometric processing less reliable.

I Always Wear Glasses — What Should I Do?

Simply remove your glasses for the photo

This is what all passport authorities recommend. You can still wear glasses the rest of the time — passport photos don't need to match your daily appearance exactly.

Take the photo at home

It's easier to remove glasses comfortably at home. You can take multiple shots without rushing.

Upload to PassportSnap

We ensure the photo meets all requirements — no glasses needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?

No. The US State Department banned glasses in passport photos in November 2016. This applies to all prescription glasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses.

Can I wear contacts in a passport photo?

Yes — regular clear contact lenses are fine. Colored or tinted contacts that change eye color are generally not recommended and may cause issues in countries with strict requirements.

I need glasses to see — can I get a medical exemption?

In most countries, medical exemptions are not granted for glasses in passport photos. The requirement is about the photo compliance, not about your daily vision needs. Simply remove glasses for the photo.

What if I accidentally submitted a passport photo with glasses?

Your application will likely be rejected or returned. You'll need to take a new photo without glasses and resubmit. PassportSnap helps you get it right from the start.