What to wear for a passport photo – clothes, hats, glasses and jewellery
Updated 8 November 2026
Wear a plain top in a dark or medium colour that stands out from a white wall. Take off hats, headphones and (for US photos) glasses, and keep hair away from your eyes. That covers almost every clothing rule. The details below are from the official US, UK and Canada pages.
The rules side by side
| Item | US passport | UK passport | Canadian passport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothing colour | No rule, but the background is white | No rule | Avoid light colours that blend into the background |
| Uniform or camouflage | Not allowed | No rule | No rule |
| Glasses | Take them off (doctor’s note if you can’t) | Don’t wear them unless you have to; no tinted lenses or glare | Clear glasses allowed with no glare; no tinted lenses |
| Hat or head covering | Only for religious or medical reasons, with a signed statement | Only for religious or medical reasons | Only if worn daily for religious or medical reasons |
| Headphones or earbuds | Not allowed | No rule | No rule |
| Jewellery and piercings | Allowed if they don’t hide your face | No rule | No rule |
| Hair | Not covering your eyes | Not in front of your eyes | Off your face, so its edges are visible |
Clothes
Pick a darker or coloured top. Navy, black, grey, dark green or a medium colour all work. The US needs a white or off-white background, so a white or cream top can merge with it. Canada says light-coloured clothing can blend into the background and get your photo rejected.
Keep it plain. Large logos, busy patterns and high-visibility colours aren’t banned, but they draw the eye away from your face. A plain crew neck, collar or simple blouse is safest.
No uniforms or camouflage in a US photo. This includes clothing that only looks like a uniform. Wear everyday clothes even if you are in the military.
Shoulders show in the photo. A strapless top or bare shoulders can look like no clothing at all in a head-and-shoulders crop. A top with visible straps or sleeves avoids that.
Hats, head coverings and headphones
Take off hats and caps. A head covering worn for religious or medical reasons is allowed by all three countries, as long as your whole face is visible. For a US application, include a signed statement that it’s religious attire worn daily in public, or a doctor’s statement for medical reasons. The State Department also asks that it be one colour, without patterns or small holes, and that it casts no shadows on your face.
Take out headphones, earbuds and wireless hands-free devices for a US photo. Face masks must come off too.
Glasses
For US passport and visa photos, take your glasses off and don’t rest them on your head. If you can’t remove them for medical reasons, include a signed note from your doctor. The UK says not to wear glasses unless you have to. If you do, they can’t be tinted, and the frames, glare and reflections must not cover your eyes. Canada accepts clear glasses with no glare, but no tinted lenses, even prescription ones. More on this in glasses and glare.
Jewellery, piercings and make-up
The State Department says you can wear jewellery and keep facial piercings in, as long as they don’t hide your face. Avoid anything large and shiny near your eyes, which can cause glare. Everyday make-up is fine. Skip anything that changes the look of your face a lot, because the photo has to look like you at the border.
Hair
Keep hair out of your eyes. Canada asks that it be off your face so the edges of your face are visible. Hair over your shoulders is fine. For US photos, hair may go past the edges of the photo as long as your whole head is shown.
Ready to take it?
Follow how to take a passport photo at home for the light and camera set-up. Then upload the photo to the tool for your document, such as US passport or UK online passport, to crop it to the official size with a free preview.
Acceptance is decided by the issuing authority.
Common questions
Can I wear a white shirt in a passport photo?
It isn't banned, but it's risky. US backgrounds must be white or off-white, so a white top can blend into them. Canada says to avoid light-coloured clothing because it can blend into the background and get the photo rejected. Wear a darker or coloured top.
Can I wear a uniform or camouflage in a US passport photo?
No. The State Department says you can't wear a uniform, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage.
Can I wear earrings or a nose ring?
For a US photo, yes. The State Department says you can wear jewellery and keep facial piercings as long as they don't hide your face.
Can I wear a hijab, turban or other head covering?
Yes, if you wear it for religious or medical reasons, and your full face must be visible. The US asks for a signed statement with your application, and says the covering should be one colour without patterns or small holes, with no shadows on your face.
Do I have to take my glasses off?
For US passport photos, yes, unless a doctor's note says you can't. The UK says don't wear them unless you have to. Canada allows clear glasses with no glare.