Passport and visa photo questions

Can I wear glasses in my passport photo?

It depends on the country. The US and Australia say no glasses, unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons. The UK says not to wear them unless you have to. Ireland allows clear glasses as long as there is no glare or shadow and the frames do not cover your eyes. None of the four allows sunglasses or tinted glasses. If you can take your glasses off, taking them off is the safe choice.

What the official page says

  • UK (gov.uk): do not wear glasses unless you have to. If you must, no sunglasses or tinted glasses, and no frames, glare, reflection or shadow over your eyes.
  • Ireland (ireland.ie): clear glasses are allowed if they cause no glare or shadow and the frames do not cover any part of your eyes. No sunglasses.
  • US (travel.state.gov): take off any eyeglasses, sunglasses or tinted glasses. If you cannot remove them for medical reasons, include a signed note from your doctor.
  • Australia (passports.gov.au): no glasses unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons; poor eyesight alone is not a reason. If you wear them, the frames must not cover your eyes and the lenses must not reflect.

Official pages read: October 2026 · Official source: gov.uk, ireland.ie, travel.state.gov, passports.gov.au

How to do it with Complyshot

  1. Open Complyshot and choose your document.
  2. Take the photo without glasses if you can.
  3. If you keep them on, the checklist reminds you of the glasses rule for your document and asks you to confirm it.
  4. Save the photo or print sheet your document needs.

Related questions

Can I wear glasses if I need them to see?

In Australia, poor eyesight alone is not an accepted reason. In the US you need a signed doctor’s note. In the UK, only if you have to; in Ireland, clear glasses are fine without glare.

What if my lenses reflect the light?

Glare over your eyes breaks the rule in every one of these countries. Move so the light does not reflect in the lenses, or take the glasses off.

Check your photo in Complyshot

Complyshot checks your photo on your iPhone; the photo is not uploaded. Checking is free, and saving the finished photo is a one-time purchase, with no subscription.

Download on the App Store

Complyshot is made by YOTEZIC LTD and is not affiliated with any government. It checks what a phone can measure and cannot promise that your photo will be accepted; the issuing office decides.