General jewelry guidelines
Most countries don't explicitly ban all jewelry, but they do restrict items that:
- Create reflections or glare that obscure facial features.
- Cast shadows on the face or neck.
- Cover the face partially (large nose rings, face chains).
- Alter your appearance significantly from your natural look.
What's generally allowed
- Small stud earrings — subtle, non-reflective studs are fine.
- Thin necklaces — provided they don't create visible glare.
- Small nose pins — if they don't obscure the nose or create reflections.
- Wedding bands — hands are typically not in the frame anyway.
What to avoid
- Large hoop earrings — can create shadows on the neck and jaw.
- Statement necklaces — may reflect flash or overhead lighting.
- Face jewelry — chains, large nose rings, or face piercings that cover features.
- Highly reflective metals — polished gold or silver that creates hot spots.
Best practice
When in doubt, remove all jewelry before taking your passport photo. This eliminates any risk of rejection. If you normally wear religious jewelry, check with your country's passport authority for specific exemptions.
For complete appearance guidelines, see our what to wear guide, glasses rules, and hairstyle rules.