Do I Need to Remove Glasses for ID Photos?
2 Answers
Yes, here is the relevant information: ID Card: When applying for an ID card at the police station, you generally cannot wear glasses. This is because the lenses of glasses can reflect light, making it difficult to see facial features clearly in the photo. Even in places where it is allowed, only frames without lenses are permitted. U.S. Visa: Starting from November 1, 2016, new regulations for U.S. visa application photos stipulate that glasses must not be worn. Except in special cases where the applicant provides a medical certificate, such as a recent surgery proof letter signed by a professional physician, the embassy will no longer accept visa photos or U.S. passport photos with glasses. Exit-Entry Permit: The photo must be a front-facing, bareheaded image, so citizens cannot wear headgear or heavy makeup. Additionally, hair should not cover the eyebrows, and both ears and eyebrows should be visible. All accessories must also be removed. Furthermore, citizens wearing glasses must remove them during the photo session or switch to provided frames to avoid lens reflections affecting the normal processing of the document. Citizens wearing colored contact lenses must also switch to clear ones before taking the photo.
Last time I went to get my passport photo taken while wearing glasses, the photo had severe glare and my eyes were barely visible. The staff asked me to retake it, explaining that ID photos require full visibility of facial features, as glasses can cause obstruction or glare that affects recognition. Since then, I always remove my glasses before taking photos, and the results are much clearer. Different documents may have varying requirements—for example, driver's license photos also typically recommend no glasses to avoid facial recognition issues during security checks. If you have vision concerns, you can check with the photo service in advance, but removing your glasses is the safest bet to avoid hassle. Regular glasses maintenance is important, but it's best to take them off for photos.
