Glasses and glare in a passport photo – US, UK and Canada rules
Updated 7 November 2026
The safest way to avoid glare in a passport photo is to take your glasses off. The US doesn’t allow glasses except for medical reasons, the UK says not to wear them unless you have to, and Canada allows them only with no glare on the lenses.
The rules by document
| Document | Glasses | If you do wear them |
|---|---|---|
| US passport | Remove them, unless you have a documented medical reason | The State Department’s examples show glasses as a reason to retake |
| US visa | Not allowed, except in rare medical cases with a signed medical statement | Frames must not cover the eyes; no glare, shadows or refraction hiding the eyes |
| UK passport or visa | Don’t wear them unless you have to | No sunglasses or tinted lenses; frames, glare, reflections and shadows must not cover your eyes |
| Canadian passport | Allowed | Eyes clearly visible, no glare on the lenses, no sunglasses or tinted lenses |
For other documents, check the page for that document: the full list shows what we found on the official source.
If you have to keep your glasses on
Glare comes from a light reflecting off the lens straight into the camera. A few changes usually clear it:
- Turn off the flash. It reflects straight back from the lenses.
- Move the light to the side of the camera, not behind it. Daylight from a window works well, as long as your face stays evenly lit.
- Check for a window in the lens. If you can see one reflected, move the camera or yourself a little. Keep facing forward: the UK wants you looking straight at the camera.
- Check the frames. Thick frames can sit across the eyes or cast a shadow on them. Push them up, or try a thinner pair.
- Zoom in on the eyes before you finish. If either eye is partly hidden by a reflection, retake it.
Marks from your glasses
If you’ve just taken your glasses off, wait a few minutes. Marks on the nose can show up clearly in a sharp photo.
Don’t fix glare with an app
Painting out a reflection is an alteration. The State Department says not to use software, apps or filters and that it checks photos for changes. GOV.UK and Canada refuse altered photos too. VisaPhotos never retouches your face, so what you take is what you submit.
Check your photo
The free photo checker tries to spot glasses and warns you if the document doesn’t allow them. It can miss thin rimless frames, and it doesn’t measure glare, so check that yourself. Then make the final file with the US passport, US visa or UK online passport tool.
Acceptance is decided by the issuing authority.
Common questions
Can I wear glasses in a US passport or visa photo?
No, unless you can't remove them for medical reasons. For a visa photo, that needs a signed medical statement.
Can I wear glasses in a UK passport photo?
Only if you have to. They can't be sunglasses or tinted, and frames, glare, reflections or shadows must not cover your eyes.
Can I wear glasses in a Canadian passport photo?
Yes, if your eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare on the lenses. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not accepted, including prescription ones.
Can I edit out the glare on my glasses?
No. These authorities don't accept altered photos. Take the glasses off, or retake the photo.