Earrings are popular accessories to enhance facial features and show personality, which is commonly seen in life photos. However, it’s not like that in passport photos that must present the true appearance of the applicant. Hats and glasses are explicitly prohibited. Some are wondering whether earrings are allowed. In this passage, we will find out the answer.
Can You Wear Earrings in a Passport Photo?
Yes. Earrings are not banned in passport photos in most countries. However, there are different styles available. Not all of them are acceptable. You must stick to one thing. The accessories must not hinder face recognition and identity verification. We will talk about the basic rules for permitted earrings.
Basic Rules for Wearing Earrings in a Passport Photo
If you do want to wear earrings in a passport photo, here are some useful tips.
- Wear simple and small earrings
The focus of the photo should be the face of the subject, but fancy accessories will cause distractions. Extra-large earrings cover the ears too much or even the face.
- No obstructions to the face
Oversized earrings might cover the person’s face contour and facial features. Obstructions to the face might cause passport photo rejection.
- Avoid reflective or shiny earrings
Reflective or shiny items will create unpleasant glare, such as ear studs with crystals or diamonds. It will obscure details, reduce contrast, and influence photo clarity, thus obstructing face identification.
- Avoid hanging or dangling earrings
The dangling eardrops might distract the viewer’s attention from the person’s face, making the facial features harder to be visible. Moreover, it might be difficult to keep them still while taking a photo and any minor movement will lead to a blurry and out-of-focus image.
- Avoid casting shadows
Shadows in a passport photo are unacceptable. If you wear earrings, you have to take pictures under even lighting and pay attention not to project shadows on the ear, face, or the background.
- Avoid earrings in the same color as the background
The passport photo background color should be plain white or off-white. Earrings in a similar color might vanish from the background and leave a weird piercing or be mistakenly considered shadows.
Types of Earrings That Are Allowed in Passport Photos
Earrings come in various types depending on their size, design, and the way they sit on the ear. According to the basic rules for wearing earrings in a passport photo, the following styles are accepted.
- Stud earrings
These accessories hug the ear and typically stay right at the earlobe instead of dangling down. It is suggested to choose simple and classic types to avoid reflection.
- Hoops
They refer to a complete circle, square, oval, triangle, or other shapes with a small wire piece penetrating the ear and connecting at the end. Small or medium-sized ear hoops without shiny gems are generally allowed.
- Drop earrings
They are extended stud earrings attached to the earlobe and hanging down. For passport photos, a short and single piece is recommended. Do not wear a series of pieces that hang extra low below the ear.
- Bajoran
It is a fictional accessory from Star Trek, usually referring to a chain with two connection points, one at the earlobe and another on the upper portion of the ear. You can wear a simple and small style.
- Cluster earrings
Several gems or beads form a cluster stud at the earlobe or hang down. They are acceptable if they are not oversized, reflective, or dangling.
- Barbell earrings
As the name suggests, they look like a barbell with a metal rod going through the ear and connecting two small “balls” at both ends. If you wear this style of earrings, choose common shapes and avoid casting shadows.
Types of Earrings That Are Banned in Passport Photos
Fancy or oversized earrings might look stylish, but they are recommended in passport photos. Here are some examples.
- Dangle earrings
They are similar to drop earrings but swing back and forth. The longer it is, the bigger it might be, which is too distracting and will obscure the face.
- Chandelier earrings
They are named for their shape like a chandelier, featuring layers of jewels and decorations on it. The design is so fancy that it might create distractions or reflections.
- Huggies
They are thicker hoops that hug the earlobes, looking like finger rings. They are typically not allowed because they will cover the ears.
- Ear cuffs
They travel along the outer curve of the ear. They might cover part of or all over the ears, which is not suggested.
- Threader earrings
They seem like a string penetrating the earlobe and hang down with or without a small pendant at one end. They might dangle and cause blurriness, so please avoid wearing them.
Can You Wear Facial Piercing in Passport Photos?
Yes. Facial piercings like nose studs, lip nails, lip piercings, etc. are allowed if they satisfy the following requirements.
- Do not cover main facial features, including cheekbones, eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and chin.
- Do not project shadows or shades on the face.
- Do not reflect the light or create glare.
- Do not be too eye-catching, for example, in a weird shape or be oversized.
How to Take Passport Photos with Earrings
It is possible to take passport photos at home with a smartphone. If you wear jewelry, things will be a little more complicated. Here is a detailed instruction on taking perfect shots.
Choose Small & Simple Earrings
As stated before, the size and design of the earrings is important. It is necessary to choose proper accessories according to the previous rules and suggestions. Stick to small or medium sizes and simple styles.
Set Up Good Lighting & Background
The photo must be taken under uniform and sufficient lighting. A room where natural lighting comes in and there is a clean wall is recommended. If not, make sure of lamps or light bulbs similar to sunlight. The color of the background does not matter as it can be replaced by the passport photo maker. Just make sure no other persons or objects are captured except the applicant.
Set Up Your Cellphone with a Tripod
If no one else can help you, the tripod is necessary because selfies are not acceptable. A tripod can stabilize your phone and take clear photos. It is suggested to use the rear camera which usually has higher resolution.
Check for Glare and Reflections
Take a test shot to see how the earrings interact with the light. If there is glare or reflections, please adjust the angle of the light, camera position, and camera setting. If the problem remains unsettled, change the earrings or take them off.
Position Proper & Mind Your Facial Expression
Face the light source and stand about 1-1.5 meters (3-5 feet) away from the camera. Hold your body upright and look straight at the camera. Make sure the full face, from the chin to the forehead and both cheeks, is visible with a neutral expression. Do not tilt your head, close your eyes, or smile in passport photos.
Capture the Photo at Eye Level
Take a photo of the head and shoulder. It is advised to take as many shots as you can from different angles, so you can pick the best one.
Resize Your Picture with An Online Passport Photo Maker
The online passport photo maker, AiPassportPhotos, is equipped with AI processing features and a compliance checker. It will produce a qualified passport photo in seconds through the steps below.
- Visit the AiPassportPhotos website with a mobile device or computer and click on the “Upload a Photo” button.
- Upload a photo through the “Open image” button or by dragging it to the uploading box.
- Let the photo tool automatically scan the photo and adjust the size and background. When the photo is ready, download it for free.
FAQ
Do ears have to be shown in passport pictures?
Not necessary in US passport photos, but the whole face must be fully visible.
Can you wear earrings in a passport photo in Australia?
Yes, as long as they do not obscure your face or damage photo quality.
Can I wear earrings for a passport photo in Singapore?
Yes. You should wear simple, small, and non-reflective earrings.
Can you wear headphones in a passport photo?
No. Headwear, except a religious veil, is not allowed, including headphones, hats, headbands, and decorative head coverings.
Can I wear a necklace in a passport photo?
Yes. Like the earrings, it must not be reflective or distracting.
Summary
Earrings are typically allowed in a passport photo, but they must not obscure the face, reflect lights, cast shadows, or produce glare. Therefore, plain style and small size are recommended. We hope this article can help you choose the proper style of earrings and facial piercings. If your accessories violate any of the official photo requirements, just take them off to avoid making an unqualified biometric photo and being rejected.
Dolores Xiao