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New Zealand · photo requirements

A New Zealand Visa photo is 35 × 45 mm

Short answer

A New Zealand Visa photo must be 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in), usually 827 × 1063 pixels at 600 DPI, with a light grey background and head height 70–80% of the frame. PicsForm maps this to Department of Internal Affairs / Immigration New Zealand (immigration.govt.nz) for New Zealand, last checked Aug 18, 2026.

Official rule table

Values below are the PicsForm catalog mapping, not a screenshot of the government site.

RequirementOfficial rule (catalog)
Photo size35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
Digital size827 × 1063 px @ 600 DPI
Backgroundlight grey (#E8E8E8)
Head size70–80% of frame (31.5–36.0 mm (1.24–1.42 in))
Eye line from bottom55–70%
GlassesNot permitted
ExpressionNeutral expression, mouth closed
HeadwearFashion hats not permitted; religious covering only where policy allows
File sizeTypically ≤ 5000 KB

How to make this photo

  1. Stand 1.5–2 metres from the camera, camera at eye height, against a real plain light grey wall. Do not use a digital backdrop or AI face edit.
  2. Include the top of the hair, both ears if the document requires them, and the upper shoulders — do not crop at the neck.
  3. Open Create with New Zealand Visa selected, upload the portrait, and read the compliance report.
  4. If the verdict is Retake, fix the listed official rule and photograph again. Do not pay for a photo that still fails a hard rule.

Why photos like this get rejected

  • Head height outside the official band
  • Chin sitting on the bottom edge (shoulders missing)
  • Glasses glare or tinted lenses where glasses are not permitted
  • Shadows or a non-plain background
  • Wrong pixel size or file too large for the portal

Rejection guides

Questions

What size is a New Zealand Visa photo?
35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in). Digital export in this catalog is 827 × 1063 px at 600 DPI.
What is the New Zealand Visa photo size in pixels?
827 × 1063 pixels at 600 DPI in the PicsForm catalog. Re-check the live portal if it publishes a different pixel cap.
Can I wear glasses in a New Zealand Visa photo?
Not permitted
Can I smile in a New Zealand Visa photo?
Neutral expression, mouth closed
What background does a New Zealand Visa photo need?
Plain light grey (#E8E8E8). Keep it even — no pattern, shadow, or extra people.
What head size does New Zealand Visa require?
Chin-to-crown should occupy 70–80% of the photo height (31.5 mm (1.24 in) to 36.0 mm (1.42 in)).
Can I take a New Zealand Visa photo with my phone?
Yes, if the camera is at eye level, the face is sharp, lighting is even, and the crop matches the published size. PicsForm can check a phone portrait against this document’s catalog rules. It cannot invent missing shoulders or guarantee an embassy will accept the file.
Can I use an old New Zealand Visa photo?
Most authorities want a recent likeness (often within six months) that still looks like you. Reuse an old file only if it still matches the current size, background, and appearance rules.

Source method

  • PicsForm does not invent photo specifications.
  • Each catalog row is mapped to a published government or issuing-authority page when a URL exists.
  • Where a rule is ambiguous (for example a visa processed by a local VAC with extra crop rules), the product labels Review instead of treating a guess as compliance.
  • Last-checked dates record when a human last opened the official page. They are not a government certification.
New Zealand Visa size is 35×45 mm — official rules 2026