Can You Wear Glasses in a Passport Photo? (2026 Rules by Country)
The US, UK, Schengen, India, Canada, Australia, and most other countries banned glasses in passport photos in 2016 – 2018. Country-by-country list of where glasses are still allowed, where they're prohibited, and the rare medical exemption.
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Short answer
No, you cannot wear glasses in a passport photofor almost any country's passport or visa application as of 2026. The US, UK, Schengen Area, Canada, Australia, India, Japan, and the Philippines all banned glasses between 2014 and 2018. The reason is automated biometric matching — lens glare and reflections prevent reliable face-landmark extraction.
The one exception is a documented medical condition where glasses cannot be safely removed — and that exception requires a signed physician letter.
Country-by-country glasses rules
| Country | Glasses allowed? | In effect since |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | November 2016 |
| United Kingdom | No | 2017 |
| Schengen Area (27 countries) | No | 2018 |
| Canada | No | 2016 |
| Australia | No | 2017 |
| Japan | No | 2018 |
| South Korea | No | 2018 |
| India | No | 2014 |
| China | No | Always |
| Philippines | No | 2017 |
| Brazil | No | 2017 |
| Mexico | No | 2018 |
| New Zealand | No | 2017 |
Why glasses were banned globally
Modern e-passports embed a chip with a biometric face template. Border control systems extract face landmarks (eye corners, nose bridge, mouth corners) from the printed photo and match them against the chip data. Glasses introduce two failure modes: (1) lens glare obscures the eye-corner landmarks, and (2) the frame partially occludes the eye region. Pre-2016 rules tried to allow "clear glasses without glare" — but the human review couldn't reliably catch glare that the automated system would later fail on. The blanket ban resolved the inconsistency.
The medical exemption (rare, but real)
All major authorities allow a documented medical exemption — typically used when removing glasses for the photo would cause significant discomfort or inability to keep eyes open. The requirements:
- A signed letter from a licensed physician in the country of application, on letterhead, dated within the last year
- The specific medical condition stated by name (e.g., photophobia, post-surgical light sensitivity, severe refractive error requiring constant wear)
- An explicit statement that the glasses cannot be removed for the photo and that the photo accurately represents the applicant
- Glasses must still meet criteria — clear (not tinted), no glare on the lenses, no reflection blocking the eyes, frames must not cover the eyes
What to do for your photo
- Remove your glasses for the entire capture session.
- If you wear contacts, no problem — contacts are not considered "glasses" for these rules.
- If your prescription is strong, capture in soft front lighting so squinting isn't needed. A second person to guide your gaze helps.
- Upload to our tool — pick your destination country, get the file at the right size with the correct background and biometric framing.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear glasses in a US passport photo?
No. The US State Department banned glasses in passport photos on November 1, 2016. The rule applies to prescription, reading, sun, tinted, transition, and even clear lensless frames. The only exception is a documented medical condition — you must provide a signed statement from a physician explaining why the glasses cannot be removed.
Are glasses allowed in a UK passport photo?
No. HM Passport Office banned glasses in 2017 for the same reason as the US — automated biometric matching cannot reliably extract face landmarks through glare or lens reflections. Medical exemption with a signed letter from a GP is the only allowance.
Are glasses allowed in a Schengen visa photo?
No. The Schengen Area aligned with ICAO Doc 9303 in 2018; glasses are prohibited in all 27 member states' passport and Schengen visa photos. Religious head coverings remain allowed if face is fully visible.
Can I wear glasses in a Canadian passport photo?
No. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada banned glasses in 2016. The medical exemption requires documented evidence from a Canadian physician.
Which countries still allow glasses in passport photos?
Almost none for adults as of 2026. Some specific national ID cards in EU countries (not passports) still allow clear glasses without glare. Always remove glasses for any passport or visa application unless you have documented medical evidence and a signed letter.
What if my photo with glasses was already accepted years ago?
It was accepted under the pre-2016 rules. For your next renewal, the current rules apply — remove glasses for the new photo even if your old passport shows them.
Does the medical exemption actually work?
Yes, but the documentation requirement is strict. The signed letter must come from a licensed physician, state the medical condition that prevents glasses removal, and confirm that the photo accurately represents the applicant. Some authorities require the letter to accompany the application. Verify with the specific issuing authority before relying on the exemption.
Can I remove glasses in editing software and submit that photo?
Technically the edit produces glasses-free output, but the issuing authority's automated detection systems flag manipulated face regions. The simplest answer is to retake the photo without glasses — modern smartphones make this easy at home.
Make a glasses-free passport photo now
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