Hair, Beard and Makeup in Document Photos 2026
In short. One principle governs everything: the photo must show your ordinary, current appearance. Hair must not cover the face, eyes or eyebrows or cast a shadow; a beard is allowed if you wear it daily; makeup should be light and natural, with no heavy look that changes your features.
- The guiding principle: the photo must match your ordinary, current appearance.
- Hair must not cover the face, eyes, eyebrows or the outline of the face or cast a shadow.
- A beard and moustache are allowed if they are your everyday appearance, including for religious reasons.
- Makeup should be light and natural; heavy makeup that changes your features can cause a rejection.
- Do not grow or shave a beard specially for the photo if it won't match your real appearance.
The guiding principle
For a passport, visa or ID-card photo there is one rule that the US State Department, the UK's GOV.UK and the international ICAO Doc 9303 standard all agree on: the picture must show your ordinary, current appearance. It is against that appearance that both a human reviewer and the automated face-matching system compare the photo with you in person. So hair, beard and makeup are judged not by fashion or by what looks best, but by how accurately they match how you genuinely look on an everyday basis. Keep that single test in mind and most choices become straightforward.
Do not change your appearance specially for the shoot: the photo must match how you really look, not a look put on for a single day.
Hair
Hair must not cover the face, eyes, eyebrows or the outline of the face, or cast a shadow on it. You can wear it however you like — down or up, tied back or loose — as long as the full face stays visible. Long hair is perfectly fine too, provided the face is clearly seen and nothing falls across the eyes. There is no requirement to change a natural hairstyle for the photo.
- Comb a fringe or strands so they do not fall over the eyes and eyebrows.
- Make sure hair does not shadow the eyes or hide the edge of the face.
- A voluminous style is fine if the outline of the face stays visible.
Beard and moustache
A beard, moustache and other facial hair are allowed if they are your everyday appearance, including a beard you wear for religious reasons. The photo should reflect how you usually look, so do not grow or shave a beard specially for the shoot if your appearance afterwards won't match the photo.
| Situation | Status |
|---|---|
| Hair falling over the eyes or eyebrows | Not accepted |
| Your usual beard or moustache | Allowed |
| Light, natural makeup | Allowed |
| Heavy makeup that changes features | Not accepted |
Makeup
Light, natural everyday makeup is fine; if you wear it daily, it is perfectly acceptable to wear it in the photo too. Heavy or dramatic makeup that changes or hides your features should be avoided — it can cause a rejection, because the photo must match your real face. Be especially careful with anything that adds shimmer, strong contouring or glare, since reflective products can confuse automated checks. Costumes, full-face paint and face art are not allowed.
How to check yourself before the shoot
- Make sure the full face is visible — from chin to forehead and both edges of it.
- Comb your hair so there are no shadows on the face or near the eyes.
- Keep your beard and makeup as they usually are, with no sharp changes.
Related guides
Official sources
Questions
- Can I be photographed with my hair down?
- Yes, hair may be worn down or up. What matters is that the full face is visible and the hair does not cover the eyes or eyebrows or cast a shadow.
- Is a beard allowed in a document photo?
- Yes, a beard and moustache are allowed if they are your everyday appearance, including a beard worn for religious reasons. The photo should match how you look every day.
- Do I need to shave my beard specially for the photo?
- No. Do not shave or grow a beard specially for the shoot if your real appearance afterwards won't match the photo.
- Can I wear makeup?
- Yes, if the makeup is light and natural. Avoid heavy or dramatic makeup that changes or hides your features — it can cause a rejection.
- Why is heavy makeup rejected?
- Because the photo must match your real face. Makeup that changes the shape of or hides your features stops a person and the system from recognising you.