ID Photos

Passport Photo Glasses Rules: Country-by-Country Guide

Glasses in passport photos: banned in the US since Nov 2016; UK, Japan, Korea, UAE & China rules. Preview free — HD download $1, 300-DPI print sheet $2

✦

Privacy note：Advanced smart enhancements show clear guidance before use. Please make sure you have permission to edit the photo.

Make Your ID Photo

40+ countries · 400+ China formats · Exact pixel output · crop-only mode for strict documents · background tools for eligible formats

Country-by-Country Glasses Rules

  • United States: glasses banned in all passport photos since November 1, 2016; medical exception requires a signed doctor's statement
  • United Kingdom: not allowed for paper applications; digital applications accept them for medical reasons only — any glare, reflection or frames covering the eyes is rejected
  • Japan: glasses are allowed, but lenses must not be tinted and frames must not cover the eyes
  • South Korea: passport photos accept glasses for medical reasons only; visa photos allow untinted glasses
  • UAE (ICP): medical reasons only, under ICAO specifications — no reflections or shadows from lenses
  • China domestic: ID and exam registration guides routinely require no glasses to avoid reflections covering facial features; US visa applications made in China explicitly ban glasses

Why Glasses Cause Rejections Even Where Allowed

  • Glare or reflections on the lenses hiding the eyes
  • Tinted or dark lenses obscuring eye colour
  • Thick frames covering the eyes or eyebrows
  • Shadows cast by frames across the face
  • Distortion from high-prescription lenses changing facial geometry

Medical Exceptions

Where glasses are medically necessary (for example after eye surgery), the US requires a signed statement from a medical professional; the UK (digital), Singapore, South Korea (passport), India (passport) and the UAE similarly restrict glasses to medical cases. Even with an exception, the eyes must remain fully visible with no glare.

Sources

Sources: U.S. Department of State — Passport Photos (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html), verified 2026-07-17; GOV.UK — Rules for digital passport photos (https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports), verified 2026-07-17; MOFA Japan — IC Passport Photos (https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/passport/ic_photo.html), verified 2026-07-17; 여권안내 — Photo Specs (https://www.passport.go.kr/new/issue/photo.php), verified 2026-07-17; UAE ICP — ICAO Photo Specs (https://icp.gov.ae/en/faq/), verified 2026-07-18.

Related keywords

passport photo glassescan I wear glasses in passport photopassport photo glasses rulesus passport photo glasses banglasses glare passport photopassport photo medical glasses exception

FAQ

Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?
No. The US Department of State has banned glasses in passport photos since November 1, 2016. A narrow medical exception exists with a signed doctor's statement.
Are glasses allowed in UK passport photos?
Not for paper applications. For digital applications they are accepted for medical reasons only — and any glare, reflection, or frames covering the eyes will cause rejection. HMPO recommends removing them.
Which countries allow glasses in passport photos?
Japan allows untinted glasses; Canada and Australia (passport) also accept them if there is no glare and the eyes are fully visible. The US, UK, South Korea (passport), UAE and Singapore restrict them to medical cases or ban them outright.