Can you wear glasses in a U.S. passport photo?

No. The State Department says to take off eyeglasses, sunglasses and tinted glasses for your passport photo. The same rule applies to U.S. visa photos.

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The rule in plain words

  1. Take them off.Prescription glasses, sunglasses and tinted glasses all come off for the photo.
  2. Not on top of your head either.Glasses pushed up into your hair still count. They can't be in the picture at all.
  3. There is one exception: a medical reason.If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, include a signed note from your doctor with your passport application.

Questions

I wear glasses every day. Do I still have to take them off?

Yes. Wearing glasses every day is not an exception. The only exception is a medical reason, backed by a signed note from your doctor.

Can I wear glasses in a U.S. visa photo?

No. Eyeglasses are no longer allowed in new visa photos, except in rare cases where they cannot be removed for medical reasons, such as recent eye surgery. You then need a statement signed by a medical professional.

My current passport shows me wearing glasses. Is that a problem?

The rule applies to the new photo you send now. Take your glasses off for it.

Does PicPassed check for glasses?

Not automatically yet. We remind you to take your glasses off before the photo, and we check size, head position, eyes, light, sharpness and background.

Summarised from the U.S. Department of State photo guidance. Always check the latest official rules for your application.

More help: How to take a passport photo at home · Passport photo rejected · DS-160 photo upload error

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