Can You Wear Glasses in a Passport Photo? Country-by-Country Rules
Glasses rules vary a lot between countries, and getting it wrong is one of the most common reasons a passport or visa photo is rejected. Some countries ban glasses outright; others allow clear prescription glasses as long as there is no glare and your eyes are clearly visible. Here is the exact wording used by each country on this site, taken directly from its official source.
| Country | Document | Glasses rule |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | visa | no tinted lenses or frames that cover part of the eyes |
| Canada | passport | no tinted glasses; clear glasses only if there is no glare and the eyes are fully visible |
| Canada | visitor visa (TRV) | no tinted glasses (prescription glasses only if my eyes are clearly visible) |
| China | visa | no thick-rimmed, tinted or glare glasses |
| India | passport | no glasses (taken off to avoid reflections) |
| Malaysia | eVISA | no tinted glasses; clear glasses only if there is no glare and my eyes are fully visible |
| Saudi Arabia | eVisa | no tinted glasses; clear glasses only if there is no glare and my eyes are fully visible |
| Schengen Area | visa | no tinted lenses or sunglasses, no reflections, and no frames covering my eyes |
| Singapore | visa | no tinted lenses or coloured contact lenses; clear spectacles only with my eyes clearly visible |
| Türkiye (Turkey) | visa | no glasses, earrings or hat |
| United Kingdom | passport | no glasses unless I have to wear them (never sunglasses or tinted, and nothing covering my eyes) |
| United Kingdom | visa | no glasses unless I have to wear them (never sunglasses or tinted, and nothing covering my eyes) |
| United States | passport | no glasses |
| United States | visa | no glasses |
Sunglasses, tinted lenses and lenses that cause glare are rejected by every country above — none of them are listed separately in the table because the rule is universal.
If you normally wear glasses
- Where the rule allows clear glasses, avoid glare or reflections on the lenses by angling your head slightly away from a direct light source (not away from the camera).
- Where glasses are banned outright, take the photo without them — the authority checks your identity against the photo, not your everyday appearance.
- Never wear sunglasses, coloured lenses, or glasses with thick or patterned frames that partially cover your eyes, for any country.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
It depends on the country. Most countries now ask for no glasses at all, or allow only clear prescription glasses with no glare and the eyes fully visible. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are rejected everywhere on this site. Check the exact wording for your country in the table above, and on that country's own page.
What if my glasses cause glare in the photo?
Where clear glasses are allowed, glare or reflections on the lenses are a common reason for rejection. Take the photo facing a window or soft light rather than a direct flash, and tilt your head slightly if needed to remove reflections, or take the photo without glasses if the rule allows it.
Are reading glasses or contact lenses treated differently?
Contact lenses are not glasses. Clear or natural-coloured contact lenses are allowed by every country on this site, though a few countries, such as Singapore, specifically exclude tinted or coloured contact lenses. Reading glasses are glasses like any other and follow the same rule as any other prescription glasses for that country.
PhotoID Ready is independent and not affiliated with any government agency. Whether a photo is accepted is always decided by the issuing authority. Rules change, so always check the official source linked on each country's page before you apply.