Do your ears need to show in a passport photo?

No. For a US passport photo your ears do not need to be visible; hair covering the ears is fine as long as your full face, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, is unobstructed and both eyes are open. Some other countries and portals are stricter: China's visa photos, for example, expect both ears visible, and several exam and visa portals in Asia check for it.

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What the US actually requires

Full face visible, facing the camera squarely, eyes open, no hair across the eyes or eyebrows. Ears are simply not part of the checklist. Long hair worn down passes as long as it does not shadow or cover the face itself.

Where ears do matter

If the same portrait will be used for a China visa or certain other applications, tuck hair behind the ears when shooting so one photo session covers everything. Check the specific document's spec before reusing a photo across applications.

Frequently asked questions

Can hair cover part of my face in a passport photo?

No. Hair must not cover the eyes, eyebrows, or any part of the face. Covering the ears is fine for US photos.

Which countries require visible ears in photos?

China's visa photo spec expects both ears visible, and some national ID portals elsewhere check it. The US, UK and Canada do not require visible ears.

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