Kiwi Access Card Photo

The Kiwi Access Card, formerly known as a +18 Card, is a New Zealand valid photographic evidence and identity document that can be used across New Zealand. However, to obtain one, you have to meet some requirements regarding the application as well as the photo for Kiwi Access Card.

Read this guide to find out what is the required size of the Kiwi Access Card photo, head position, background colour, facial expression as well as what to wear and what mistakes to not repeat.

Kiwi Access Card photo specifications

The photographs for the Kiwi Access Card must show your true likeness and current appearance so it has to be taken within the last 6 months. Photographs must be clear and with your shoulders and head facing fully forwards. In other words, the same rules which apply for New Zealand passport photographs apply for the Kiwi Access Card too.

Kiwi Access Card photo size

The Kiwi Access Card application photo should be a portrait with a 4:3 aspect ratio and dimensions of 35 mm x 45 mm for paper photos, printed on high-quality paper. It should be in JPEG format for online application, sharp and in focus. Scanned photos are not allowed. Remember to take a colour photo, in high-resolution and do not digitally change it. The printed copy has to show your natural skin colour.

Background 

The background of the Kiwi Access Card photo must be plain and light-coloured. Try to stand slightly away from the background to not cast shadows behind you. If you have a problem obtaining the right background, use our photo tool which removes unnecessary patterns and makes the background uniform.

Lighting 

Lighting should be balanced to create a good photo contrast. It is better to pose in natural daylight. Do not turn on the flash lamp which often causes the red-eye effect. There cannot be any visible shadows on your face or neck. The face should be evenly lit.

Face & Head position

The face must be exposed entirely and centred in the photo. Leave a clear gap around the sides and top of the head. The face should be facing front and looking directly into the camera.

Facial expression 

Having a natural facial expression with your eyes open, mouth closed and no smiling is only one and right way of posing for the Kiwi Access photos.

Glasses & Eyes

You can wear glasses in the photo unless they are sunglasses, tinted or thick-framed. Be careful not to create glare or flash reflection on the lenses! Your eyes should be clearly visible behind the glasses.

Headwear

Hats, caps, hair bangs are not allowed. Only while claiming medical or religious reasons, you can keep your head covered. Headphones are not allowed. 

Attire

You cannot wear any kind of uniform or camouflage. Choose something casual but remember this is your showcase to prove your identity so make sure you do not wear anything too eccentric.

Common mistakes on Kiwi Access Card and how to avoid them

Mistakes happen almost always, especially when you take photos of documents for the first time. However, one mistake can cause rejection! If your photo will not meet the requirements pointed out by the institution you are going to send it to, you can say goodby to your Kiwi Access Card. This is why knowing the most common mistakes will help you understand what to avoid while taking photographs to Kiwi Access Cards. Here are some of the main ones:

• Poor quality - make sure that the photo quality is good, not blurred, overexposed or underexposed.
• Wrong photo size - the size for Kiwi Access Card is the same as for a New Zealand passport which means 35x45 mm so do not submit incorrect photographs.
• an improper facial expression - do not smile, grams or frown your eyebrows as well as do not show your teeth or in general open mouth.
• an unacceptable background - patterns in the background or photographed person will cause the photo rejection.
• wrong head position - do not tilt your head sideways, just keep it straight and look directly at the camera.
• Hairs on the face - make sure that your hairs do not cover any of your facial features.
• wearing sunglasses - we understand that you want to look cool but even a little tinted glasses are not allowed, your eyes are important and have to be visible in the picture.
• wearing prohibited clothing - remember that it is an identity document, do not wear anything extravagant.
• submitting an edited or retouched photo – editing is forbidden, use professional services like Photo AiD app instead to edit your photo under the New Zealand authorities rules.

Kiwi Access Card Photo Maker

After you have met the most common mistakes on photos for Kiwi Access Cards, you know what to avoid. But to make the process faster, we recommend following our 5 steps guide on how to take the right photo for Kiwi Access Card without leaving you home!

1. Go to our Photo AiD service or download a Photo AiD Mobile App available in the AppStore or GooglePlay store. If you decide on an app, it works perfectly for any devices so you can download it for an iPhone or a phone with Android.
2. Find a photographer – ask your friend to take a picture of you or become a photographer yourself! Put a tripod approximately 3 metres from you and set it up for a self-timer. 
3. Upload the picture to our photo editor which will resize it to the New Zealand photo dimensions and edit by changing the background colour or removing any patterns.
4. Let the photo tool verify your picture – it checks the requirements regarded for your country and approves only the right photos. It gives you a 100% guarantee of correction. 
5. Now, you can order your ready picture in a digital version to be sent via email and print it by yourself or we can print it for you and deliver it to your physical address.

Sources:

https://www.passports.govt.nz/passport-photos/how-to-take-a-passport-photo/