New Zealand online passport photo (3:4 JPEG, 250 KB to 5 MB)
Applying for a New Zealand passport online, you upload a digital photo. The Department of Internal Affairs sets a 3:4 shape, a pixel range and a file size window. CropPass exports a 1500×2000 px JPEG inside that window, cropped from your own photo without upscaling it.
| Size | 900×1200 to 4500×6000 px · CropPass exports 1500×2000 px |
|---|---|
| Shape | 3:4 portrait |
| File size | 250 KB–5 MB |
| Format | JPEG |
| Head height | Not stated · CropPass uses the printed New Zealand rule: 64–80% of the photo height |
| Background | Plain and light-coloured; pale blue, grey or cream work better than white |
| Digital editing | Not allowed · CropPass only crops and resizes |
Last verified 12 October 2026 against the source: passports.govt.nz ↗
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Head 64–80% of frame height. 35×45 mm, 413×531 px, light grey background. This size is for printed photos for paper passport applications.
Official requirements ↗How to make your New Zealand online passport photo
- Take or choose a photo. Face the camera in even light, against a wall that fits the background rule: plain and light-coloured; pale blue, grey or cream work better than white. Upload it as a JPEG, PNG or HEIC file; it stays on your device.
- Line up the frame. CropPass crops to the 3:4 shape of the file and marks where your head goes (64–80% of the height). Drag and zoom until your head sits inside the guides.
- Download the file. In the download step, check that "New Zealand passport (online)" is selected and click "Download New Zealand passport (online)". CropPass encodes a 1500×2000 px JPEG (250 KB–5 MB) and shows its final size, ready to upload. The preview is free; downloading needs a pass.
Questions and answers
What are the limits for an online NZ passport photo?
A .jpg or .jpeg file in a 3:4 shape, 900 to 4500 pixels wide and 1200 to 6000 pixels high, between 250 KB and 5 MB.
Why does CropPass say my photo is too small?
The part of your photo inside the crop needs at least 900×1200 px of real detail, and CropPass will not enlarge a smaller crop, because an upscaled photo looks soft. Use the original file from your camera, not a screenshot or a copy sent through a messaging app.
Can I crop or edit the photo?
Cropping is allowed. Editing is not: the guidance says not to edit, apply filters or use AI tools to change how you look, so CropPass only crops and resizes.