Yes. GOV.UK's photo rules don't ban earrings or other jewellery: what matters is that nothing covers your face and there are no reflections (GOV.UK: Get a passport photo). HM Passport Office's own examiner guidance says photos are rejected where piercings cause reflection, and that earphones, earbuds and headphones are not allowed, though hearing aids are (GOV.UK: HM Passport Office photo standards (examiner guidance, March 2026)).
GOV.UK's photo rules and HM Passport Office's photo standards checked on 3 November 2026. Fees and rules change, so check the linked GOV.UK page before you pay.
| Item | UK passport photo | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small earrings and studs | Fine | GOV.UK has no jewellery rule; nothing may cover the face |
| Large or shiny earrings | Risky | Examiners reject photos where piercings cause reflection |
| Nose ring, lip ring, eyebrow piercing | May be accepted | Listed as piercings examiners may accept; take them out if you can |
| Several facial piercings | Take them out if you can | They make it hard for the system to find the outline of your eyes, mouth and nose |
| Earphones, earbuds, headphones | Rejected | Listed as a reason to reject |
| Hearing aids | Fine | Examiners must not reject visible hearing aids |
| Bindi (a single dot) | Fine | A jewel or sticker bindi for a celebration is not |
Source for every row: GOV.UK: HM Passport Office photo standards (examiner guidance, March 2026).
The US State Department says you can wear jewellery and facial piercings as long as they don't hide your face (travel.state.gov: Passport photos). Most other countries follow the ICAO rules, which ask for a clear, unobstructed face (ICAO Doc 9303 (photo rules most countries follow)). Some, such as India and South Korea, also want both ears to show: see the strictest passport photo rules by country.
Picproved checks the background, head size, eyes, expression, glasses and light before you save, and flags strong highlights on the face. HM Passport Office still makes the final decision.
Or make it at home. Picproved costs £5.99 (free while we launch) for one person's photo in every size you need, and it checks the size, background, head size and face rules before you save. The office still makes the final decision. Make your United Kingdom Passport (online) photo
