New Zealand visa photo requirements for Indians
Indian passport holders applying for Visitor visa, applied online with Immigration New Zealand (Indian citizens are not NZeTA-eligible) need a photo that meets New Zealand's rules. Below are the exact size, background and file rules from the official source, with a worked example and a checklist.
VERIFIED · OFFICIAL SOURCE · 17 OCT 2026New Zealand photo rules at a glance
What the photo should look like
Drawn to the official measurements where they are published.
Head: Face covers 70–80% of the image, centred, with a clear gap around the head.
Full New Zealand visa photo requirements
| Route for Indians | Visitor visa, applied online with Immigration New Zealand (Indian citizens are not NZeTA-eligible) |
|---|---|
| Printed photo size (mm) | 35 x 45 (paper applications only) |
| Digital size (pixels) | Between 900 x 1200 and 2250 x 3000, portrait, 3:4 aspect ratio |
| File format | JPG/JPEG |
| File size | 512 KB to 3.14 MB (INZ error-help page says 500 KB to 3 MB) |
| Background | Neutral and plain, with only you in the photo; light grey suggested |
| Head / face size | Face covers 70–80% of the image, centred, with a clear gap around the head |
| How recent | Taken within the last 6 months and looks like you |
| Glasses | Clear prescription glasses allowed: no tint or sunglasses, no heavy frames covering the face, no glare; removing them is advised if they cause problems |
| Head covering | Remove unless worn for religious or medical reasons; it must not cover the mouth or sides of the face. Ears must show unless a religious or medical scarf is worn |
| Expression and pose | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight at the camera, no head tilt or turn |
| Copies | Not stated by the official source |
Other official rules
- No AI edits, filters, beautification, background replacement or removing objects (e.g. glasses)
- Not a photo of a photo; must be in focus
- No shadows on face or background; stand 0.5 m from the background with the camera 1.5 m away
- Avoid patterned clothing or backgrounds; selfies are only allowed in the NZeTA app
Do and avoid
Built from the official rules and the rejection reasons the source lists.
Do
- Use a neutral and plain, with only you in the photo; light grey suggested background
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight at the camera, no head tilt or turn
- Use a photo taken within the last 6 months and looks like you
- No AI edits, filters, beautification, background replacement or removing objects (e.g. glasses)
- Not a photo of a photo; must be in focus
- No shadows on face or background; stand 0.5 m from the background with the camera 1.5 m away
Avoid
- Wrong size: outside 900x1200–2250x3000 px or outside the file-size limits
- Face too large or too small, or face tilted or turned
- Shadows, glare or reflection on glasses, or heavy or dark frames over the eye region
- Clear prescription glasses allowed: no tint or sunglasses, no heavy frames covering the face, no glare; removing them is advised if they cause problems
Worked example: getting the photo right first time
A 35 × 45 mm print at 300 DPI is 413 × 531 pixels. At 600 DPI it is 826 × 1062 pixels. Ask the studio for exactly 35 × 45 mm, not "passport size".
For the upload, export the image at Between 900 x 1200 and 2250 x 3000, portrait, 3:4 aspect ratio pixels as JPG/JPEG, keeping the file 512 KB to 3.14 MB (INZ error-help page says 500 KB to 3 MB).
How to make your photo in 5 steps
- Stand against a plain wall with even light, or visit a photo studio
- Crop to 35 × 45 mm
- Check the background is neutral and plain
- Export as JPG/JPEG (512 KB to 3.14 MB (INZ error-help page says 500 KB to 3 MB))
- Run the Krosz photo checker before you submit
Free tools: passport photo maker · photo checker · photo resizer
Frequently asked questions
What is the New Zealand visa photo size for Indians?
The official source gives 35 x 45 (paper applications only) mm for a printed photo and Between 900 x 1200 and 2250 x 3000, portrait, 3:4 aspect ratio pixels for the digital upload.
What background colour is needed for a New Zealand visa photo?
Neutral and plain, with only you in the photo; light grey suggested.
Can I use my Indian passport photo (35 × 45 mm) for New Zealand?
The size matches. Check the other rules too: background, recency (Taken within the last 6 months and looks like you) and any glasses rule, because a photo that fits the size can still be rejected.
How old can the photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months and looks like you.
Can I wear glasses in my New Zealand visa photo?
Clear prescription glasses allowed: no tint or sunglasses, no heavy frames covering the face, no glare; removing them is advised if they cause problems
What file format and size does the upload accept?
Format: JPG/JPEG. Size: 512 KB to 3.14 MB (INZ error-help page says 500 KB to 3 MB).
Where do these rules come from?
From Immigration New Zealand: Acceptable photos for a visa or NZeTA, checked by the Krosz visa desk on 17 Oct 2026. Requirements can change, so the official page always has the final word.
Source and verification
Official source: Immigration New Zealand: Acceptable photos for a visa or NZeTA
Checked by the Krosz visa desk on 17 Oct 2026 · confidence: high.
Krosz is a private visa service and is not affiliated with any government. Rules change; the authority's own page always has the final word.
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