Turkey Passport Size Photo Glasses Rules: All Eyewear Banned

No — glasses of any kind are not permitted in Turkey passport photos. The Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü (Population and Citizenship Affairs) bans all eyewear. This applies to Turkish passports (pasaport) and Turkish visa applications.

Exact Glasses Rules for Turkish Passport Photos

All glasses are banned:

• Prescription glasses (gözlük) — not allowed, regardless of medical need
• Sunglasses (güneş gözlüğü) — not allowed
• Tinted lenses — not allowed
• Reading glasses (okuma gözlüğü) — not allowed
• Blue-light blocking glasses — not allowed
• Photochromic (transition) lenses — not allowed, even if clear indoors
• Non-prescription fashion frames — not allowed

The only item permitted near your eyes is clear prescription contact lenses (kontakt lens).

How Turkey's 50×60mm Size Affects the Glasses Ban

Turkey uses a 50×60mm passport photo — one of the largest in the world. This means:

• Studios abroad may default to 35×45mm — always specify 50×60mm for Turkish passports
• The large format makes nose-bridge marks from glasses very visible
• Glasses frames and reflections are even more apparent at this size

Always specify "5 × 6 cm" when ordering Turkish passport photos.

Why Does Turkey Ban Glasses in Passport Photos?

Turkey's passport system uses facial recognition to match applicants against their biometric database. Glasses interfere because:

• Frames obscure facial geometry. The bridge area between the eyes is a critical measurement point.
• Lenses create reflections. Even anti-glare coatings don't eliminate all reflections.
• Shadows from frames fall on the cheeks and under the eyes.

Are There Medical Exemptions for Turkish Glasses Ban?

Turkey does not grant medical exemptions for glasses in passport photos. The photo takes only seconds — remove glasses, take the photo, put them back on.

Can You Wear Contact Lenses in Turkish Passport Photos?

Clear prescription contact lenses (kontakt lens) are fine.

What might get flagged: Coloured or cosmetic contact lenses (renkli lens) that noticeably change your eye colour. Clear lenses only.

Tips for Glasses Wearers Getting Turkish Passport Photos

Before the photo

• Remove glasses 5–10 minutes early. At Turkey's 50×60mm photo size, nose-bridge marks are very visible.
• If you normally squint without glasses, practise keeping your eyes naturally open.
• If you use contact lenses, insert them before arriving at the Nüfus Müdürlüğü or studio.

During the photo

• Keep your eyes relaxed and open. Don't squint.
• If you can't see the camera, ask the photographer to guide you.

After the photo

• Check the photo on screen before accepting.

Where to Get Turkish Passport Photos Without Glasses

Nüfus Müdürlüğü (Population Directorate offices). These have nearby photo studios. Cost: ₺30–60. Studios near these offices understand all requirements.

Professional studios (fotoğrafçı). Studios in shopping areas and near government offices. Cost: ₺20–60. Ask for "pasaport fotoğrafı, gözlüksüz, beyaz arka plan, 5×6 cm" (passport photo, no glasses, white background, 5×6 cm).

Photo booths (fotoğraf kabini). Automated booths at metro stations and shopping centres. Cost: ₺20–40. Remove glasses before entering.

DIY at home. If taking your own photo:

• White background (Turkey requires pure white)
• 50×60mm — larger than most countries
• No glasses of any kind
• Neutral expression, mouth closed (smiling not allowed)
• Both eyes clearly visible

Turkish National ID Card Glasses Rules

The same no-glasses rule applies to the Turkish nüfus cüzdanı / kimlik kartı (national ID card). A single glasses-free photo can serve for both pasaport and kimlik kartı if it meets the size requirements.

Turkish e-Visa Photo Glasses Rules

Turkey's e-Visa system requires a digital photo upload. The same no-glasses rule applies. If you're applying for a Turkish e-Visa from abroad:

• 50×60mm, white background
• No glasses
• No smiling
• Recent photo (within 6 months)

Glasses Rules: Turkey vs Other Countries

Turkey follows the global majority in banning all glasses.

Common Glasses Mistakes in Turkish Passport Photos

Keeping glasses on "because they're clear." Even clear prescription glasses are banned.

Using the wrong photo size. Turkey's 50×60mm is unique. Don't use 35×45mm.

Wearing transition lenses. These retain tint indoors. Remove them.

Digitally removing glasses. Photo manipulation is detectable.

Ignoring nose-bridge marks. At 50×60mm, marks are very prominent.

Glasses Rules for Turks Renewing Passports Abroad

If you're renewing your Turkish passport from abroad, the same no-glasses rule applies. Turkish consulates in Berlin, London, Amsterdam, Paris, New York, and Melbourne all enforce the ban.

In countries where glasses are allowed (UK, Germany, Canada), studios may assume glasses are fine. Specify: "Türk pasaport fotoğrafı, gözlüksüz, beyaz arka plan, 5×6 cm" or in English: "Turkish passport photo, no glasses, white background, 50×60mm."

Studios abroad are often unfamiliar with the 50×60mm size. Bring a printed reference.

Turkish Children's Passport Photos and the Glasses Ban

The same no-glasses rule applies to children. Turkish passports for children under 18 are valid for shorter periods. The no-glasses rule applies regardless of age.

Can You Wear Glasses at the Nüfus Müdürlüğü?

The glasses ban applies only to your passport photo. You can wear glasses at the Nüfus Müdürlüğü during your appointment, during in-person verification, and in your supporting documents (kimlik, ehliyet/driving licence, etc.).

Advice for Strong Prescription Wearers in Turkey

If your prescription is strong:

• Daily disposable contacts are available at Turkish optical shops (gözlükçü). Cost: ₺20–50 per pair.
• Ask the photographer to guide you. They handle this daily.
• The photo takes seconds. Brief discomfort without glasses is negligible.

Turkish Grey and Green Passport Photo Glasses Rules

Turkey issues several passport types: regular (bordo/burgundy), grey (hususi / special), and green (hizmet / service). The no-glasses rule applies equally to all passport types. The photo requirements are identical regardless of which passport colour you hold.

Turkish Residence Permit Photo Glasses Rules

Foreign nationals applying for a Turkish residence permit (ikamet izni) follow the same photo requirements. No glasses are permitted in residence permit photos. The same 50×60mm size applies.

Turkish Passport Photo Renewal and Glasses Changes

If your current passport photo shows you with glasses, you'll need a new glasses-free photo for your renewal. Turkish passports for adults are valid for 10 years. Your existing passport remains valid until expiry.

ALO 199 Helpline for Turkish Passport Photo Questions

If you have questions about Turkish passport photo requirements, the ALO 199 helpline operated by the Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri provides guidance. The helpline operates in Turkish.

Turkish e-Devlet Portal Glasses Photo Validation

Turkey's e-Devlet portal allows some passport-related tasks online. If uploading a digital photo, the system may validate it against requirements. Glasses will be flagged. Ensure your uploaded photo is glasses-free.

Glasses Rules for Turkish Dual-Nationality Citizens

Turkish citizens who also hold another nationality (e.g., German, Dutch, Belgian) need separate photos for each passport. Both may require no glasses — Turkey bans them, and most other countries do too. If your second nationality is UK, Germany, or Canada (which allow glasses), you could wear glasses for that passport but must go glasses-free for Turkey.

Do Not Digitally Remove Glasses from Turkish Photos

Do not digitally remove glasses from a photo. Always take the photo without glasses from the start.

Verify your photo meets all Turkish passport requirements with the passportsize-photo.online checker. For size requirements, see Turkish passport photo size guide. View all Turkish passport photo rules on the Turkey hub.