Select File
or drag and drop files here
The Challenge
Norway requires 35×45mm biometric photos with strict rules: NO glasses at all, both ears fully visible, and no headgear. For domestic passport and national ID applications, police take the photo at your appointment — but visa, residence permit, and consular applications may still require you to provide your own compliant photos.
Norway takes your photo at the police station for passports and national ID
- For passport and national ID: police photograph you at your appointment — no need to bring photos
- For visa and residence permit applications: police or foreign service mission takes your photo
- For consular applications abroad: you may need to provide your own compliant photos
- This tool is useful for: consular applications, preparing/checking before appointments, and visa photos where self-provided photos are required
Norwegian passport and ID photo requirements
Norway's UDI (Directorate of Immigration) and Politiet (police) use identical photo requirements for passports, national ID cards, visas, residence permits, and travel documents. The standard size is 35×45mm following ICAO biometric standards. Norway is notably stricter than most countries on two points: glasses are completely prohibited (not even with medical exemption in standard cases), and both ears must be entirely visible. The photo must show the face as it looks today, with neutral expression and mouth closed.
Norwegian photo requirements – will your photo be accepted?
- 35×45mm dimensions with head height 32–36mm
- Both eyes, both eyebrows, and BOTH EARS entirely visible
- White or light grey background, evenly lit, no shadows
- Face evenly lit with no shadows or hot spots
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and directed at camera
- NO glasses — must be removed (stricter than most countries)
- No headgear unless religious/medical (face must remain fully visible)
- Scarves, bags, and outerwear must be removed
- Face photographed directly from the front
- Colour photo representing current appearance
- Taken within last 6 months
- No retouching, filters, or digital alterations
Common rejection reasons
- Wearing glasses of any kind (Norway does not allow glasses in photos)
- One or both ears not fully visible (hair must be pulled back if covering ears)
- Shadows on face or background from uneven lighting
- Head tilted or not facing camera directly from the front
- Mouth open or smiling
- Headgear worn without religious/medical justification
- Photo does not show current appearance
- Background not evenly lit
- Photo retouched or digitally altered
Norway's strict glasses ban
Norway prohibits glasses in all passport and ID photos — this is stricter than most countries which allow prescription glasses with conditions. The UDI requirement is unambiguous: glasses are not to be worn. There is no standard medical exemption process for keeping glasses on. If you normally wear glasses, you must remove them for the photo. This applies to all document types: passport, national ID, visa, and residence permit photos.
Both ears must be visible — what this means
Norway requires that both ears are entirely visible in the photo. This means hair must not cover either ear. If you have long hair, you must pull it behind your ears or pin it back before the photo is taken. This is stricter than many countries where ears being covered by hair is acceptable as long as the face outline is visible. At police stations, officers will ask you to adjust your hair before taking the photo.
Good vs bad Norwegian passport photo examples
Taking photos of children and babies for Norwegian documents
- Children must attend the police station in person for passport/ID — police take the photo.
- For consular applications abroad, you may need to provide photos yourself.
- Lay baby on plain white or light-coloured sheet, photograph from above.
- Only the child in the photo — no hands, toys, or other persons visible.
- Infants: eyes don't need to be fully open (accepted by Norwegian authorities).
- Both ears must still be visible where possible for children.
- Take multiple shots — 10–20 attempts normal for babies.
Religious headgear exception
Norway allows headgear for religious or special reasons (such as illness) if the person would normally wear it when presenting the document. The headgear must not cover any part of the face, must not cover more of the head than necessary, and must not be so tight that it alters the natural shape of the face. You do not need to prove your religious belonging — the exception is applied on a practical basis.
When and where photos are taken
- Passport (within Norway): Police station takes photo at your appointment — book at politiet.no
- National ID card: Police station takes photo at appointment
- Visa application: Police or foreign service mission takes photo
- Residence permit: Photo taken at application point
- Norwegian consulates abroad: May require you to bring your own compliant photos
- Consular appointments: Check specific consulate requirements before attending
How to print Norwegian passport photos (if needed)
- Paper: Photo-quality paper (matte or glossy).
- Print at highest quality, 100% scale, colour mode.
- Cut precisely to 35×45mm.
- Ensure both ears are visible — pull hair back before printing.
- Remove glasses before taking the photo.
- For most domestic applications, you won't need to print — police take the photo.
Official Norwegian Government Resources
- Photo/Passport Photo Requirements – UDI Official photo quality requirements from Norwegian Directorate of Immigration
- Passports and ID Cards – Politiet (Norwegian Police) Passport and national ID application information
- Passport Photo Quality Requirements (PDF, Norwegian) – Politiet Detailed photo specifications with examples (in Norwegian)
Step-by-Step Workflow
Upload Photo
Position Head Using Guidelines
Select Enhancement
Download or Print Sheet
Specifications
- Photo Size
- 35×45 mm
- Resolution
- 827×1063 pixels at 600 DPI
- Head Height
- 32–36 mm (70–80% of frame)
- Background
- White or light grey, evenly lit
- Recency
- Within last 6 months
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Glasses
- NOT allowed (stricter than most countries)
- Ears
- Both ears must be entirely visible
- Valid For
- Passport, national ID, visa, residence permit, travel document
Best Practices
- For domestic passport/ID: police take your photo — you don't need to bring one
- NO glasses allowed at all — Norway is stricter than most countries on this
- BOTH ears must be entirely visible — pull hair behind ears before photo
- Same requirements for passport, national ID, visa, and residence permit
- Remove scarves, bags, and outerwear before being photographed
- For consular applications abroad, check if you need to provide your own photos
- Religious headgear allowed but must not cover any part of the face
- No retouching or digital filters — photo must be completely unaltered
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring passport photos to the police station in Norway?
No. For passport and national ID applications within Norway, the police take your photo at your appointment. You do not need to bring photos. This also applies to visa and residence permit applications — the photo is taken at the application point.
Can I wear glasses in Norwegian passport photos?
No. Norway does not allow glasses in passport or ID photos. This is stricter than most countries. You must remove all glasses, including prescription glasses, before the photo is taken.
Do both ears need to be visible?
Yes. Norway requires both ears to be entirely visible. Hair must be pulled behind the ears. This is stricter than many countries where hair covering ears is accepted.
What size are Norwegian passport photos?
35×45mm, the standard Schengen format. Head height should be 32–36mm (70–80% of frame). Same size for passport, national ID, visa, and residence permit.
What background for Norwegian passport photos?
White or light grey, evenly lit with no shadows or patterns. Both the background and the face must be evenly illuminated.
Can I wear religious headgear?
Yes, if worn for religious or medical reasons and you would normally wear it when presenting the document. The headgear must not cover any part of the face or more of the head than necessary, and must not alter the natural face shape.
When do I need to provide my own Norwegian passport photos?
Only when applying at Norwegian consulates abroad that require applicant-provided photos, or in situations where the application point cannot photograph you. For all domestic applications, the police take the photo.
Are the requirements the same for all Norwegian ID documents?
Yes. UDI confirms that requirements for visas, residence permits, and travel documents are the same as for passports and national ID cards. One format, one set of rules.
How recent must the photo be?
Within the last 6 months, showing your current appearance. A new photo is required if your appearance has changed significantly. Minor changes like hairstyle or beard growth don't require new photos.
Can children under 16 keep using old photos?
Children and teenagers under 16 are generally not required to provide new photos for renewal even if they've changed through natural growth. However, police take a new photo at each appointment regardless.