{"id":1677,"date":"2023-05-09T13:47:55","date_gmt":"2023-05-09T17:47:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=1677"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:12:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:12:35","slug":"can-you-wear-glasses-in-passport-photo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/can-you-wear-glasses-in-passport-photo","title":{"rendered":"Can You Wear Glasses in a Passport Photo?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most people can\u2019t wear <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/eyeglasses\">glasses<\/a> in their passport photo. However, glasses may be allowed in some cases if they\u2019re medically necessary.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, why is this a thing? Will <em>you<\/em> be able to wear your glasses for your passport photo? Sit tight\u2014we hope this handy guide will answer any lingering questions you might have before embarking on your international travels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Can\u2019t Most People Wear Glasses in a Passport Photo?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since 2016, the <a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/dam\/visas\/policy_updates\/16-STATE-106142.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">U.S. Department of State has prohibited<\/a> eyeglasses from being worn in passport photos. The reason for the No Eyeglass Policy comes down to two main ideas: convenience and security.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before 2016, passport applications were regularly denied or delayed because of issues caused by eyeglasses. A glare on the lenses, for example, would make it nearly impossible to verify the person\u2019s eye color. Or, the glasses might alter someone\u2019s appearance enough that confirming their identity would be more difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prohibiting eyeglasses from being worn in passport photos provides a simple solution to speed up the approval process and get passports to applicants sooner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Exceptions: When Can You Wear Glasses for a Passport Photo?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The government allows glasses in passport photos in some rare cases. If your glasses need to stay on for your photo for medical reasons, you must bring a medical statement signed by your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, if you\u2019ve recently had eye surgery, your doctor might require you to wear your glasses for your protection when you travel. Even if your vision is severely impaired, you\u2019ll need signed medical documentation to prove your glasses can\u2019t be removed for the photo. If you don\u2019t have a statement signed by a medical professional, you must remove your eyeglasses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you <em>are<\/em> allowed to keep your glasses on for your passport photo, you\u2019ll still need to meet the following requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The frames of your glasses can\u2019t cover your eyes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Glare on the lenses can\u2019t obscure your eyes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shadows from the glasses can\u2019t obscure your eyes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Refraction (bending of light) from the lenses can\u2019t obscure your eyes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can You Wear Sunglasses in Your Passport Photo?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No\u2014sunglasses are not permitted in passport photos because they obscure your eyes from view. However, that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t pick up a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/sunglasses\">new pair or two<\/a> for your international excursions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can Children Wear Glasses in Their Passport Photos?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No\u2014just like adults, children won\u2019t be able to wear glasses in their passport photos unless there is a medical necessity. Parents will need to bring a signed medical statement if their child is medically required to keep the glasses on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div><!-- .entry-content (split for inline block) -->\n\n<section class=\"wp-blocks__banner has-img white\">\n\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/friendly-eye-doctor-cta.jpg\" alt=\"Looking for an expert&#039;s opinion?\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-blocks__banner-img\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Looking for an expert&#039;s opinion?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<p>Book an eye exam with one of our top-notch optometrists<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-blocks-banner__cta-links\" style=\"flex-wrap:wrap;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/appointments\/eye-exams\/booking\">Book an appointment <svg id=\"aa495747-7767-4ea8-bc8e-3e09f9e2a480\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 5.5 9.5\"><path d=\"M5.49,4.61a.87.87,0,0,1,0,.32.73.73,0,0,1-.2.35l-4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,.22,8.22L3.69,4.75.22,1.28A.75.75,0,0,1,1.28.22l4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,5.49,4.61Z\" style=\"fill:#1050D0;fill-rule:evenodd\"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"entry-content\"><!-- (reopen for inline block) -->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for What To Wear in a Passport Photo&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After learning you can\u2019t wear glasses in your passport photo, you might be wondering, \u201cWhat else?\u201d What can you wear (or not wear) in a passport photo?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s take a look at some other picture-taking considerations, so you can ensure a delay-free passport application process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clothing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best passport photo attire is your normal, everyday clothing. Costumes and even uniforms are prohibited when your picture is taken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hats or other head coverings are also not allowed, unless they\u2019re worn for religious reasons. If that\u2019s the case, you\u2019ll need to turn in a signed statement that confirms the attire is part of a religious tradition and is worn in public settings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Makeup and Hair<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it comes to makeup, the rules are not as cut and dry. The Department of State will allow you to wear makeup in a passport photo, as long as it isn\u2019t excessive. That means your facial features and skin tone need to appear relatively natural and not obscure your identity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Say \u201cCheese!\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bottom line? On the day of your passport photo, just be yourself. Appear as you would on an average day\u2014perhaps wearing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/contacts-vs-glasses\">contacts instead of glasses<\/a> (if you have them).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather than dressing up as you would for a professional photo shoot, or glamming up your makeup like you might for a night out on the town, keep your passport picture as simple as possible. That way, anyone checking your passport can easily confirm your identity and send you on your merry way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bon voyage!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most people can\u2019t wear glasses in their passport photo. However, glasses may be allowed in some cases if they\u2019re medically necessary.&nbsp; So, why is this a thing? Will you be able to wear your glasses for your passport photo? Sit tight\u2014we hope this handy guide will answer any lingering questions you might have before embarking [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":1678,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1677","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eyewear","category-style"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Can You Wear Glasses in a Passport Photo? | Warby Parker<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You\u2019ll probably need to take your glasses off for your passport photo. Learn more about the official rules here.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/can-you-wear-glasses-in-passport-photo\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Can You Wear Glasses in a Passport Photo? | Warby Parker\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You\u2019ll probably need to take your glasses off for your passport photo. 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