Can you wear headphones, earbuds or hair clips in a passport photo?
Take headphones and earbuds off: the US, UK and Australia don’t allow them, though the UK and Australia allow hearing aids. Hair clips are fine in the UK and Australia if your face stays visible; the US, Canada and India don’t mention them.
Rules checked on · official sources only
What each country says
| Country | Answer | Official quote | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United StatesPassport | No headphones or wireless hands-free devices in or on your ears. Hair clips and hair accessories are not mentioned. | You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices in or on your ears. |
travel.state.gov | |
| United Kingdom | No headphones, earphones or earbuds (visible hearing aids are fine). Hair clips or bands are accepted if facial features are clearly visible and contrast with the background. | You must reject the photo if the customer is wearing earphones, air buds or over the head headphones. You must not reject the photo if the customer is wearing visible hearing aids on their ears. You must accept any head accessories (for example a hair band or hair clip) if the customer’s facial features are clearly visible and there is contrast between the head and the background. |
HM Passport Office examiner guidance | |
| Canada | Not stated by the Government of Canada. | — | canada.ca | |
| Australia | No for AirPods and wireless earbuds, which must be removed; hearing aids are allowed. Head or hair accessories must not obscure any part of your face. | AirPods and other wireless earbuds are not considered hearing aids and must be removed for your passport photo. Don't apply filters or retouch your photo; or wear head, hair or face accessories, such as glasses, hats or jewellery, that obscure any part of your face. |
passports.gov.au passports.gov.au (video transcript) |
|
| India | Not stated by Passport Seva (India). | — | passportindia.gov.in |
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Answers quote the official pages linked above. Not affiliated with any government. Final acceptance is up to the issuing authority.