Requirements for New Zealand visa photo, including photo specification, guidelines and how to take a photo with NZeTA
With millions of visitors and several visa categories, New Zealand has detailed guidelines for each document you have to submit for your visa application. Regarding your New Zealand visa photo, you must follow different instructions depending on whether you apply online for your visa or in person. But, in both cases, you should contact your nearest New Zealand embassy or consulate to determine their requirements, as some embassies have specific demands.
New Zealand Visa Photo Specifications
The photos you take for your New Zealand visa application must be according to the immigration office’s size, quality, background, head position, facial features, and appearance. Please keep these guidelines in mind as you might risk getting your visa application rejected.
You can get your high-quality photograph that complies with all the New Zealand visa photo requirements at MyBiometricPhotos. You simply need to choose “New Zealand Visa Photo” under ‘What type of photo do you need?” and upload your photo. The photo is then processed digitally to ensure it meets the requirements of New Zealand authorities. Since the entire process is completed online, you can print the photos yourself to a place of your choosing.
Formatting and Size
Your New Zealand visa photo size must be 4.5 cm (Length) x 3.5 cm (width). Your entire face must cover about 70% to 80% of the photo, and your shoulders must be included. Ideally, the picture should be taken at least 1.5 meters from your face. Also, the picture must be in portrait orientation, not landscape.
Quality and Brightness
Your photo must be of great quality, original, and not a copy of your photo. It must also be unedited, in color, with good lighting, no red eyes, and no over or under shadows across your facial features. Additionally, your picture must be focused, not blurry, where it’s difficult to make your face.
Head Position and Background
You must look straight ahead at the camera with a neutral expression and keep your head straight. You must also keep your eyes open and mouth closed for your picture. The background must be plain, light-colored (not white) without any objects behind you or patterns.
Appearance
Remember to wear plain colored clothes when you take your New Zealand pictures, with no overbearing colors or patterns. Additionally, you cannot wear hats, caps, bandanas, or sunglasses. Prescription glasses are permissible as long as the lenses are clear, do not reflect in the picture, and the frame does not hide your face. However, if you can see without your glasses, removing them from the picture is best. Head coverings for religious purposes are allowed as long as your entire face and hairline are visible in the picture.
Requirements for a New Zealand Online Visa Photo
If you can apply for an online New Zealand visa, you’re still required to submit a photo for your application as per the guidelines below:
- The size of the digital photo must be between 500KB and 3 MB and between 900×1200 pixels and 2250×3000 pixels.
- The photo must be a JPG (or JPEG) file you can attach to your New Zealand online visa application.
Taking a Visa Photo for NZeTA
Your NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization) photo must also follow the size guidelines and format as listed below:
- The photo must be less than 10 MB.
- The photo must be a JPG (JPEG).
If the photo is larger than the allowed size, it will automatically be formatted to the right size.
If you qualify for a new NZeTA, there are a few ways you can take your photo:
- Upload an existing photo— you can upload an existing photo on your device where you access the application portal (e.g., from your computer or phone).
- Take a new photo— you can take a new photo with your device and upload it there as long as the camera on your device has a minimum resolution of 540 x 720.
How Do I Attach My New Zealand Visa Photo?
How you attach your photo for a New Zealand visa application will depend on how you apply for your visa in the first place, as summarized below:
- Applying via a New Zealand embassy. Applying for your New Zealand visa via an embassy in your country means submitting a paper application. In this case, you fill out your application by hand and submit a handful of documents along with two printed visa photos. Your New Zealand visa photos must be attached to the application form (designated spots for your visa photos next to your name on the application form). You must write your full name on the back of each photo and clip them to their place either with paper clips or a stapler— do not glue the photos.
- Applying online. If you qualify for an online visa application, you must find the embassy or consulate website in your country, which will direct you to the application portal. Afterward, you can complete the application form online and upload your digital visa photo as a JPG or JPEG file.
- Applying for an NZeTA. You can apply for an NZeTA via your phone app, take a new photo, and upload the file to the app. It will also adjust the file size for you if it’s too big.
Why Did I Get an Error Message on My New Zealand Online Visa Photo?
You will receive an error message if the photo you upload for your New Zealand online visa or NZeTA does not meet one or more of the photo requirements. In addition to the error message, you will also receive an explanation of why your photo is not adequate for your application and how to fix it.
How to Get a Visa Photo for New Zealand?
You can get a visa photo for New Zealand at home— provided you have a good camera and a space to set up your background for the photo. However, the New Zealand immigration office advises you to go to a professional photo studio specializing in taking visa photos. They also have a prepared guideline you can take and send to your photographer, which you can find here.
New Zealand Visa Photo Checker
You cannot use New Zealand’s Department of Home Affairs online photo checker tool as it is not suited for visa photos— it is only meant for passport photos for those eligible to apply for a New Zealand passport.
However, some other online tools are designed to help you adjust the size of your photo according to the requirements of the immigration department. But please double-check the photo size after using the online tools just to verify it’s the right size.
What If I Submit an Unsuitable Photo for a New Zealand Visa?
If you submit a photo that does not meet the New Zealand visa photo requirements, the immigration department will hold off on processing your application until you submit a new photo. If you apply for an NZeTA, your request may be delayed or rejected. So, check the visa photo requirements carefully before applying for a New Zealand visa; you should also consult with the embassy or consulate, as they can give you more details regarding the visa photo.