Religious headwear in passport photos: country by country

Short answer

In most countries we cover, yes. The common rule: religious headwear is allowed if you wear it for religious reasons, and it must not cover any part of the face. Chin, forehead and jawline must stay visible. France is the exception: its official rule is no headwear at all, so ask your mairie before you apply.

What “face fully visible” means in practice

• Chin to forehead unobstructed. A hijab pulled forward over the forehead fails. Pull it back to the hairline.
• Jawline visible. A niqab, a full face veil, or fabric draped over the jaw covers part of the face, so the photo fails.
• Ears: it depends. The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, the UK and the US do not require visible ears; France does.
• No shadow on face. The headwear must not cast a strong shadow over your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Country notes

• Netherlands, Germany, UK, US, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland: religious headwear accepted with the face fully visible. Ask the authority whether you need to explain or prove the reason.
• France: the official rule is no headwear. Ask your mairie how it handles religious headwear.

Medical headwear

Several countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, the US and Switzerland, also accept headwear worn for a medical reason (for example after chemotherapy or surgery). The same rule applies: the face must stay fully visible. You may be asked for a doctor's statement.

Practical tips

• Take the photo with the headwear arranged as you wear it every day, so you look like your photo at the border.
• Soft, even daylight from the front. Avoid shadows under the edge of the headwear.

Take your passport photo with Foto2Pass. Our photo check looks at headwear and anything covering the face before you pay.