New Zealand visa and NZeTA photo requirements — and why AI editing isn't allowed
Immigration New Zealand uses one identical photo standard for a visa application and an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) application: JPG/JPEG, 512 KB to 3.14 MB, 3:4 portrait, face 70% to 80% of the frame. Unlike most other countries in this guide collection, New Zealand's own policy explicitly rules out AI-edited photos — this page covers the spec and explains exactly what that rule means in practice.
Quick answer
JPG/JPEG, 512 KB to 3.14 MB, 3:4 portrait — no AI editing
A New Zealand visa or NZeTA photo is a JPG/JPEG file between 512 KB to 3.14 MB, shot at a 3:4 portrait aspect ratio, with the face covering 70% to 80% of the frame of the image. Background must be plain and neutral with no other people or objects in frame, and the photo must not be manipulated or digitally altered with AI or other editing tools. Last reviewed .
The New Zealand visa/NZeTA photo specification
| Format | JPG or JPEG [1] |
|---|---|
| File size | 512 KB to 3.14 MB [1] |
| Aspect ratio | 3:4 portrait |
| Face size | 70% to 80% of the frame, centred in the middle of the image, looking straight at the camera with a neutral expression and mouth closed |
| Background | Neutral and plain, with no other people or objects in frame; avoid patterned clothing against a patterned backdrop |
| Glasses | Allowed if clear and not tinted, with no glare or heavy frames; sunglasses and tinted lenses are not accepted See full rules → |
| Headwear | Removed unless worn for religious or medical reasons; must not cover the mouth or the sides of the face, and hair must not hide the ears |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months, and must look like you now |
| Applies to | Visa applications and NZeTA applications alike — one shared standard [1] |
Why you can't use AI or photo-editing apps
Immigration New Zealand's own rule. Its guidance states applicants "cannot manipulate or digitally alter your photo using Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other digital editing tools." [1] If the photo does not meet this standard, the visa or NZeTA application can be delayed or declined.
In practice this rules out beauty filters, skin smoothing, resizing or reshaping facial features, changing eye or eyebrow shape, and — importantly — cropping a head-and-shoulders shot onto a new plain background or digitally removing objects such as glasses, jewellery or hats from the image. An over-processed or AI-touched image can fail an identity check even when it looks fine to the applicant — which is why the rule bans editing outright rather than judging the finished result.
This is different from the other country guides in this collection: several of them recommend uploading a portrait so a tool can crop, resize and apply a compliant background automatically. For a New Zealand visa or NZeTA photo, that kind of automated background or retouching step is exactly what the rule above prohibits. The safest approach is a genuine, unedited photo taken by someone else — Immigration New Zealand recommends this as well, noting that a selfie is difficult to take to their photo requirements — with any phone camera "beauty" or auto-enhance features switched off before the shot. A sizing and file-format check afterwards is fine; altering the image itself is not.
Sources
- [1] Immigration New Zealand, Acceptable photos for a visa or NZeTA — official photo specification, including the AI/digital-editing policy. immigration.govt.nz ↗
Verified . We monitor immigration.govt.nz for changes to this specification.
Frequently asked questions
What size does a New Zealand visa or NZeTA photo need to be?
Immigration New Zealand asks for a JPG or JPEG file between 512 KB and 3.14 MB, taken in portrait mode with a 3:4 aspect ratio. Your face should cover 70% to 80% of the frame and sit in the middle of the image.
Can I use an AI photo tool or app to edit my New Zealand visa photo?
No. Immigration New Zealand states you cannot manipulate or digitally alter your photo using AI or other digital editing tools — that includes beauty filters, skin smoothing, reshaping facial features, or cropping a head onto a new background. A photo that looks edited can delay or fail your application.
Is the NZeTA photo the same as the visa photo?
Yes. Immigration New Zealand uses one identical photo standard for both a visitor/work/student visa application and an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) application. There is no separate NZeTA-only spec.
Can I wear glasses in my New Zealand visa photo?
Yes, if the lenses are clear and not tinted, with no glare or reflection and no heavy frames covering your eyes. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not accepted.
Do I have to remove my headwear?
Head coverings are removed for a New Zealand visa or NZeTA photo unless you wear one for religious or medical reasons. Even then, the covering must not cover your mouth or the sides of your face, and your hair must not hide your ears unless it, too, is covered for the same reason.
Is a New Zealand visa photo the same as a New Zealand passport photo?
No — they are two different specifications from two different agencies. Immigration New Zealand sets the visa/NZeTA spec described on this page. New Zealand Passports (the Department of Internal Affairs) sets a separate passport spec with a different file-size range and its own background rule. Check the passport-specific page if you are applying for a passport instead.
Related cross-country guides
Get the crop and size right, without breaking the no-AI rule
Because Immigration New Zealand does not allow AI-edited or digitally altered photos, we won't tell you to run this one through an image generator. Take a genuine, unedited photo — ideally with someone else holding the camera — and use our free step-by-step guide to get the background, framing and lighting right on the first try.