NZeTA photo requirements
As of November 3, 2026, an NZeTA request needs one face photo under six months old: a JPG or JPEG below 10 MB on a plain, light background, uploaded or taken in the online form (per immigration.govt.nz, checked on Nov 3, 2026).
An NZeTA photo has to be less than six months old.
Immigration New Zealand forbids manipulating or digitally altering an NZeTA photo, whether with AI or with any other editing tool.
One picture of your own face, supplied inside the request form: either a file you upload or a shot taken there and then with your phone or computer camera. The file must be a JPG or JPEG under 10 MB, and the photo itself less than six months old.
Immigration New Zealand publishes no pixel size or head measurement for it. The form checks the picture as you go and, if it rejects one, says what to fix.
Sources: nzeta.immigration.govt.nz · immigration.govt.nz
Because it is not a live picture of you (a photo of your passport page, of a print or of a screen), because it was edited with AI or other software, or because the face is hard to read: too dark, too bright, uneven light, sunglasses or hair over the eyes.
A weak photo can delay the request or get it declined. If the system cannot find your face at all because of uncommon facial characteristics, you can ask for a manual review after submitting, but the photo still has to meet the standards.
Source: nzeta.immigration.govt.nz
A plain wall in a light colour, with only you in the frame. Face the camera, keep your eyes open and your expression neutral; with the camera option, the form shows a green oval to centre your face in.
Source: nzeta.immigration.govt.nz
Immigration New Zealand suggests an existing passport photo if you have one, as long as it is under six months old. A photo of the passport page itself does not meet its technical standards. Source: official page "NZeTA application - request an NZeTA (traveller photo page)", checked on Nov 3, 2026.
When uncommon facial characteristics stop the system from detecting a face, you can ask for the photo to be reviewed by hand after you submit the NZeTA request. It still has to follow the photo standards. Source: official page "NZeTA application - request an NZeTA (traveller photo page)", checked on Nov 3, 2026.
No. SelfieToPassport is not affiliated with the Immigration New Zealand or any other government agency. The Immigration New Zealand publishes the photo rules for free at immigration.govt.nz; this page links to each one.
We crop and resize your original photo and never replace or repaint the background. If the wall does not pass the check, the tool asks for a new photo and tells you how to fix the light or the wall.
Ready? Free preview with the measurements drawn on your photo; $6.95 for the digital file and both print sheets.
Make my NZeTA photoEvery rule on this page comes from a page published by the Immigration New Zealand, read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.
Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.
