Can your hair cover your eyebrows, eyes or ears in a passport photo?
Hair must not cover your eyes or face in the US, UK, Canada, Australia or India. Canada and Australia also want the edges of your face visible, India wants both ears visible, and none of them mentions eyebrows.
Rules checked on · official sources only
What each country says
| Country | Answer | Official quote | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United StatesPassport | No. Your eyes must be clearly visible and not covered by hair, and hair must not block part of your face. Eyebrows and ears aren't specifically mentioned. | The colored portions of your eyes must be clearly visible. Make sure that your eyes are not obstructed or covered by your hair. Your hair blocks a portion of your face. |
travel.state.gov | |
| United Kingdom | Hair must not be in front of your eyes. Eyebrows and ears are not mentioned. | be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera have a plain expression and your mouth closed have your eyes open and visible not have hair in front of your eyes |
gov.uk | |
| Canada | No. Hair may be down or up, but it must be off your face so the edges of your face are visible. | hair down or up Your hair must be off your face, so that the edges of your face are visible. |
canada.ca | |
| Australia | No. Hair must not obscure the edges of your face, and the official examples show 'Hair covering eyes' as unacceptable. Ears are not specifically mentioned. | They must not have: any retouching, such as removing moles, wrinkles or scars any shadows or reflections your head tilted in any direction your hair obscuring the edges of your face. Acceptable Background not plain and edited Head turned to the side Acceptable Hair covering eyes Lines/streaks |
passports.gov.au | |
| India | No. Eyes must not be covered by hair, and both ears should be visible. Eyebrows are not mentioned specifically. | Eyes must not be covered by hair. Glares on eyeglasses should be avoided with a slight upward or downward tilt of the head Head should be in the centre of the frame and both ears should be visible |
passportindia.gov.in |
Advertisement
Make your photo
Check it against the official US passport rules in your browser. Free to try — your photo never leaves your device.
Answers quote the official pages linked above. Not affiliated with any government. Final acceptance is up to the issuing authority.