If you are searching for a New Zealand visa photo, NZeTA photo, or New Zealand visa photo size, the most important question is not simply whether the picture looks like a passport photo. Immigration New Zealand separates online uploads from paper applications, and an image that is technically neat can still fail if it is the wrong format, too large, or digitally altered.

This guide focuses on the practical checks to complete before uploading a photo for a New Zealand visa or NZeTA.

Quick answer: what does an online New Zealand visa photo need?

For an online visa or NZeTA application, Immigration New Zealand currently says the photo should be:

JPG or JPEG
Portrait orientation with a 3:4 aspect ratio
Between 512 KB and 3.14 MB
Taken within the last six months
A clear, front-facing view with a neutral expression
Framed so the face covers about 70%–80% of the image
On a plain, neutral background with no shadows

The official requirement is not just a recommendation. Immigration New Zealand warns that a photo that does not meet the standard can delay, decline, or lead to refusal of an application. Check the official Immigration New Zealand visa and NZeTA photo guidance before you submit.

New Zealand visa photo size: online versus paper

Online visa or NZeTA application

The online format is a digital portrait in a 3:4 ratio. The file should be JPG or JPEG and fall between 512 KB and 3.14 MB. This is why a normal square profile photo or a wide phone picture is not a safe starting point.

The face should be centred and occupy roughly 70%–80% of the frame. Leave enough space around the head without making the face look unusually small. The applicant should look directly at the camera with the mouth closed and the head straight.

Paper-based visa application

For a paper application, Immigration New Zealand specifies a 35 mm x 45 mm photo. Do not assume that a 35 x 45 mm print automatically meets the online upload rules: the digital and paper workflows have different presentation requirements.

Can you use a selfie for NZeTA?

Immigration New Zealand says a selfie may be used when applying through the NZeTA mobile app. For other online applications, have another person take the photo or use a proper camera setup. A selfie can easily produce an unsuitable angle, uneven lighting, or a face that is too close to the lens.

If someone takes the photo for you, stand about half a metre from the background and keep the camera about 1.5 metres in front of you. The goal is a flat, natural-looking portrait rather than a dramatic phone-camera image.

Glasses, head coverings and clothing

Prescription glasses can be acceptable when the eyes are clearly visible, the lenses are not tinted, the frames are not heavy, and there is no glare. Sunglasses are not acceptable.

Hair should not cover the face or eyes. Religious or medical head coverings may be worn, but the face must remain visible. Avoid patterned clothes and patterned backgrounds because they make the edges of the face harder to check.

The most important warning: do not digitally alter the photo

The official guidance says the photo must not be altered and specifically warns against digitally changing the image or placing a cut-out head onto a plain background. Do not use face-slimming, skin-smoothing, background replacement, or AI-generated facial changes for this application.

This also means that a technically correct 3:4 crop is not enough. Start with a genuine, recent photo that already has suitable lighting, background, expression, and framing. A photo tool can help you check the format or prepare an export, but it should not be used to change your appearance or manufacture a compliant-looking background.

A practical pre-upload checklist

Before you upload your New Zealand visa or NZeTA photo, check:

Is it a recent photo showing your current appearance?
Is the file JPG or JPEG and between 512 KB and 3.14 MB?
Is the image portrait-oriented with a 3:4 ratio?
Is your face centred and around 70%–80% of the frame?
Are your eyes open, sharp, and free of glare?
Is the mouth closed and the expression neutral?
Is the background plain and free of shadows, people, and objects?
Have you avoided digital retouching and background replacement?
Do your name and passport details match the application exactly?

If any answer is no, fix the source photo before worrying about export settings.

Need a New Zealand visa / NZeTA photo file?

If you already have a suitable, unaltered portrait, you can use the New Zealand visa and NZeTA photo tool to prepare a 3:4 digital file or a 35 x 45 mm paper version. Review the final result against Immigration New Zealand's official guidance before upload, and do not use retouching or background replacement.

The safest workflow is simple: take a real photo under the required conditions, check the face and background, export the correct format, and then verify it once more on the official application page.