Can You Wear Glasses in a Passport Photo? (2025 Rules)
The short answer: No — not for the US. Since 2016, the US State Department has banned all eyeglasses from passport photos, including prescription glasses, reading glasses, and fashion frames. Most other major countries have followed suit. This guide explains the rules by country, the one narrow medical exception, what to do if you accidentally wore glasses, and how to take a compliant replacement photo in minutes.
US Passport Photo Glasses Rules
The US State Department updated its passport photo requirements in January 2016 to ban all eyeglasses. Before 2016, glasses were permitted as long as they did not create glare or obscure the eyes. That exception no longer exists.
- ✗Prescription glasses: Not allowed — remove regardless of prescription strength
- ✗Reading glasses: Not allowed — same rules as prescription, no exceptions
- ✗Sunglasses: Not allowed under any circumstances
- ✗Tinted or colored lenses: Not allowed even if lightly tinted
- ✗Fashion frames (non-prescription): Not allowed
Glasses Rules by Country
The global trend is toward banning glasses entirely. Here is the current status for the most common passport-issuing countries:
| Country | Glasses Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Banned since January 2016; medical exception available with doctor's statement |
| United Kingdom | No | All glasses prohibited; HMPO strict on compliance |
| Canada | No | Glasses not permitted in Canadian passport photos |
| Australia | No | DFAT prohibits glasses in Australian passport photos |
| Germany | No | Banned in 2024 — previously allowed if no glare; updated to align with EU biometric standards |
| India | Conditionally | Clear prescription glasses allowed if no glare on lenses; sunglasses prohibited |
| Philippines | Conditionally | Allowed if lenses are not tinted; clear frames only |
| Mexico | No | Glasses not permitted in Mexican passport photos |
| Japan | Conditionally | Clear prescription glasses allowed if no glare; face must be fully visible |
| France | No | All eyewear prohibited; French ANTS standards apply |
Note: Rules can change. Always verify with the official passport authority of the issuing country before submitting your application.
What About Sunglasses and Tinted Lenses?
Sunglasses are never allowed in a passport photo for any country. Even in countries that conditionally permit clear prescription glasses — such as India, Japan, and the Philippines — sunglasses and tinted or colored lenses are always prohibited.
Tinted lenses include:
- Photochromic or transition lenses that have darkened even slightly
- Fashion lenses with any color tint, including light pink or blue
- Anti-reflective or mirrored coatings that alter the appearance of the eyes
- Blue-light filtering glasses with visible yellow or orange tinting
If your prescription glasses have any tint or coating that changes their appearance, treat them the same as sunglasses and remove them for the photo. Clear, untinted lenses are the only type that may be conditionally allowed (in the specific countries listed above).
I Accidentally Wore Glasses — What Now?
If you realize you wore glasses in your passport photo, do not submit that photo. In the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, and Mexico, it will be rejected. Take a new photo without glasses — the process takes only a few minutes using our free tool below.
If you have already submitted your application with a glasses photo and it was rejected, you will need to:
- Take a new compliant photo without glasses
- Use our tool to remove the background and crop to the correct size
- Resubmit with the corrected photo following your passport authority's resubmission process
For more details on what to do after a rejection, see our guide on passport photo rejection reasons and fixes.
Take a New Photo Without Glasses – Upload Here
Take a new photo without glasses and upload here:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wear glasses in a US passport photo?
No. Since 2016, the US State Department has banned all eyeglasses in passport photos — including prescription glasses, reading glasses, and fashion frames. This rule applies to all US passport applications, passport card applications, and visa photos taken for US documents. The ban is absolute, with one narrow medical exception (see below). If you submit a photo wearing glasses, it will be rejected.
Are prescription glasses allowed in passport photos?
No. Prescription glasses are not allowed in US passport photos. The ban introduced in 2016 does not distinguish between prescription and non-prescription glasses — all frames are prohibited. The reason is that glasses can partially obscure the eyes, create glare in facial recognition systems, and cast shadows across the face. You must remove your glasses for the photo regardless of your prescription strength or how much you depend on them for daily vision.
What about reading glasses? Are they treated differently?
No, reading glasses follow exactly the same rules as prescription distance glasses. There is no exception for low-power reading glasses, over-the-counter readers, or any other type of corrective eyewear. All glasses must be removed for the passport photo. This applies even if you only wear reading glasses occasionally or for short periods. Remove all eyewear before taking your passport photo.
Can I wear sunglasses or tinted lenses in a passport photo?
No. Sunglasses and tinted or colored lenses are prohibited in passport photos for all countries that accept glasses in any form. For the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, and Mexico, the answer is a flat no for all eyewear. Even in countries like India and Japan that allow clear prescription glasses under certain conditions, sunglasses and tinted lenses are never allowed. The face must be fully visible with no color distortion from tinted lenses.
Is there a medical exception for glasses in US passport photos?
Yes, but it is narrow and requires documentation. If you have a medical condition that requires you to wear glasses at all times — for example, severe photosensitivity — you may be able to submit a passport photo with glasses by including a signed statement from your doctor explaining the medical necessity. This exception applies only when glasses cannot be physically removed, not simply for strong prescriptions. The medical statement must accompany your passport application (DS-11 supplemental documentation). Even with a medical exception, the glasses must not create glare or obscure your eyes or any facial features.
Are glasses allowed in passport photos in other countries?
It depends on the country. The US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany (since 2024), France, and Mexico all prohibit glasses in passport photos. Some countries still allow glasses under certain conditions: India and Japan permit clear prescription glasses if there is no glare on the lenses; the Philippines allows glasses if the lenses are not tinted. However, the global trend is toward banning glasses entirely to improve biometric facial recognition accuracy. Always check the specific requirements for the country whose passport you are applying for.
I accidentally wore glasses in my passport photo — will it be rejected?
Yes, it will almost certainly be rejected in countries where glasses are banned, including the US, UK, Canada, and most of Europe. Passport examiners are trained to check for glasses compliance. If you realize your photo shows glasses, do not submit it — take a new one. Our free tool below can help you take and prepare a compliant replacement photo quickly. If your application was already submitted and rejected, see our guide on passport photo rejection for the steps to take.