Most countries require passport photos with a plain, light-coloured background — usually white. A trip to a photo studio costs $15-30 NZD, and pharmacies charge similar. But you can take the photo at home and fix the background yourself using remove-bg.io.
The catch is getting the background colour right. Here's what each country actually requires, plus how to avoid the most common rejection reasons.
Important: Requirements change. Always verify your country's current passport photo specifications on the official government website before submitting. The information below is accurate as of early 2026 but should be double-checked.
Background Requirements by Country
New Zealand
The NZ Department of Internal Affairs requires a plain white or off-white background. The full specs:
- Photo size: 35x45mm (printed)
- Head height: 32-36mm from chin to top of head
- No shadows on face or background
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Neutral expression, mouth closed
- No glasses (NZ no longer accepts photos with glasses)
- Both ears visible if possible
Australia
The Australian Passport Office requires a plain white or light grey background.
- Photo size: 35x45mm
- Head height: 32-36mm
- No glasses
United States
The U.S. State Department requires a white or off-white background.
- Photo size: 2x2 inches (51x51mm)
- No shadows on face or background
United Kingdom
The UK accepts a plain white or light grey background.
- Photo size: 35x45mm
- No shadows, no texture in the background
Taking the Photo
You can use any smartphone. A few things that matter:
Lighting is the most important factor. Stand facing a window so natural light falls evenly on your face. Avoid overhead room lights that create shadows.
It doesn't matter what's behind you. Stand in front of any wall — you're going to remove the background anyway.
Have someone else take it. Selfies are technically usable, but it's hard to frame correctly. Use a timer or ask someone.
Shoulders visible, face centred. Most passport offices want to see your shoulders.
Replacing the Background
Upload your photo to the Background Remover. Once the background is removed, switch to the Background tab:
- White for NZ, Australia, US, and most countries — use the White Background tool
- Light grey for UK — use Change Background Colour
- Light blue for some EU countries
Download in full resolution. No watermarks, no account needed.
Why Passport Photos Get Rejected
Shadows on the background. The #1 issue. AI background removal eliminates this entirely.
Wrong background colour. Pure white when the country wants light grey, or vice versa.
Poor lighting on the face. Uneven lighting can't be fixed by background editing — retake the photo.
Wrong dimensions. Crop to the correct aspect ratio before printing.
Glasses. NZ, Australia, and many other countries no longer accept photos with glasses.
Printing
- At home: Print at 35x45mm on photo paper at 300 DPI or higher.
- At a pharmacy or Warehouse Stationery: Most photo kiosks accept custom sizes. Bring your image on a USB drive.
- Online services: Some accept passport photo uploads and post you the prints.
For a family of four, doing this at home saves $60-120 NZD compared to a photo studio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my passport photo be accepted? Background removal gives you a clean, compliant background. But compliance also depends on face positioning, expression, lighting, and dimensions.
What resolution do I need? At least 600x600 pixels. Modern smartphone photos are typically 3000x4000 pixels or higher.
Can I use a selfie? Technically yes, but a rear camera photo taken by someone else gives better results.