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NEW ZEALAND VISA PHOTO GUIDE

New Zealand visa photo requirements guide

Choose the application channel first, then prepare the file to that route’s rules.

Last reviewed: August 17, 2026

Open the web tool

The photo requirements to check first

Start with the channel

New Zealand visa and NZeTA routes are not interchangeable. NZeTA web, the mobile app, Immigration Online, paper applications, and SMC forms have different files and rules.

NZeTA web face photo

Format
JPG / JPEG
Aspect ratio
3:4
Recency
Within 6 months
File size
500 KB–3 MB
Published guidance
JPG / JPEG; portrait 3:4; within 6 months; unedited. The exact web runtime check is not published.

NZeTA mobile app

Published guidance
An external photo is not required on the verified in-app path. Selfie guidance is app-specific.
Published guidance
NZeTA web accepts a recent face-photo path, while the mobile app has its own capture and selfie guidance. The verified app path does not add an external passport-PDF requirement.

Immigration Online face photo

Format
JPG / JPEG
Aspect ratio
3:4
File size
500 KB–3 MB
Published guidance
JPG / JPEG; the current page says 3:4, 500 KB–3 MB, while error guidance separately says 900–2250 px × 1200–3000 px and 500 KB–3 MB. The two official pages still disagree, so no single value is chosen.

Immigration Online passport page

Format
JPG / JPEG
File size
10 MB
Published guidance
JPG / JPEG; information page and MRZ visible; general guidance says under 10 MB. Route forms can have different limits.

Paper Visitor Visa photo

Physical size
35 × 45 mm
Published guidance
35 × 45 mm; 2 photos; paper route only.

SMC public form passport

Format
JPG / JPEG
File size
5 MB
Published guidance
JPG / JPEG; the SMC public form example says under 5 MB; one file and route-specific.

Supporting documents

Published guidance
PDF/JPG/JPEG guidance is route-specific. Keep one logical document per PDF; password-protected or compressed files may be rejected.

Before submitting

  1. Do not treat the country name as one universal photo rule.
  2. Confirm the current visa or NZeTA route before preparing a file.
  3. Do not silently choose the narrower or more familiar range.
  4. Use the live portal error guidance and current official page together.
  5. An upload field on its own does not prove a transformed JPEG is policy-compliant.
  6. AI, beautification, background replacement, and digital alteration are not treated as permitted.
  7. Do not merge passport, face photo, and supporting-document requirements.
  8. Password-protected or compressed files may be rejected by Immigration Online.
  9. Confirm the form-specific limit before uploading.
  10. This guide does not submit an application or guarantee acceptance.

Create your photo in the browser

Prepare the photo for New Zealand Visa (Paper) directly in your smartphone or computer browser. Creating and reviewing are free.

Open the web tool

What this tool creates

  • the required face photo (for printing)

FAQ

What are the online New Zealand visa photo requirements?

The current page says JPG / JPEG, portrait 3:4, within 6 months, and 500 KB–3 MB. Separate error guidance says 900–2250 px × 1200–3000 px and 500 KB–3 MB; this guide keeps that conflict visible.

Is the passport information page the same as the face photo?

No. It is a separate document. Use JPG / JPEG, show the information page and MRZ, and treat 10 MB as general guidance rather than a universal route limit.

What is required for a paper Visitor Visa photo?

The paper route uses 35 × 45 mm photos and requires 2 photos. Do not use the paper size as an online pixel rule.

Can I use the NZeTA app selfie rule for Immigration Online?

No. NZeTA web, the NZeTA mobile app, and Immigration Online are separate channels. The app-specific selfie guidance must not be generalized.

Does this guide guarantee acceptance?

No. It organizes current official route-specific guidance. Re-check the live instructions before uploading, especially because online photo limits are not fully consistent. The paper size is 35 × 45 mm; online guidance uses JPG / JPEG and a maximum of 3 MB.

Official sources

Available guide