Cultural Headwear in Passport Photos — Why a Fez, Keffiyeh or Cowboy Hat Is Refused
Some headwear is treated very differently from others. The official rule is a clean three-way split: headwear worn for religious or medical reasons must be considered, but headwear worn for cultural reasons must not be accepted — and the standard names a Fez, a Keffiyeh, a headdress or a cowboy hat as examples. Add to that the headwear that hides or distorts the face, and you have a clear line. Verified against the UK HMPO examiner standards, September 2026.
The 15-second answer: three reasons, two outcomes
- Religious reasons → the photo must be considered for acceptance.
- Medical reasons → the photo must be considered for acceptance.
- Cultural reasons → must not be accepted (examples: a Fez, a Keffiyeh, a headdress, a cowboy hat).
- Any headwear that hides parts of the face, casts hiding shadows, distorts the face (e.g. very tight scarves) or creates a contrast problem (e.g. white or light headwear) is also not accepted.
- If the reason is unclear, the customer must be asked to write in and explain.
Cultural headwear is not accepted
The standard says it plainly: we must not accept a photo if the customer is wearing a head covering for cultural reasons — and it gives examples: a Fez, a Keffiyeh, a headdress or a cowboy hat. The point is not that the item is decorative or traditional in a pejorative sense; it is that the rules draw a distinction between a covering worn out of belief or medical need and one worn as a matter of culture or style, and only the first two are considered. So a brimmed or wrapped headpiece chosen for cultural reasons is a rejection, even though the same shape might fall differently if it were worn for a religious or medical reason.
Religious and medical headwear must be considered
On the other side of the line, the standard requires that the officer consider accepting a photo if the customer says their headwear or head covering is for religious or medical reasons. A separate paragraph is more specific: head coverings worn for religious reasons may be accepted, as long as they do not cover the face, and coverings worn for medical surgery or illness — for example scarves or bandages for head wounds or hair loss — may also be accepted as long as they do not hide the face. So religion or medicine moves the request into "considered", and the non-negotiable condition in both cases is that the face must not be covered.
The headwear that fails whatever the reason
Independently of the reason, the standard lists headwear that must not be accepted because of its effect on the photo:
| Headwear that… | Why it fails |
|---|---|
| casts a shadow on or around the face | the shadows hide the customer's face |
| hides parts of the face | the face must be fully visible |
| distorts or alters the face | for example, very tight scarves |
| causes a contrast problem with the background | for example, head coverings that are white or light in colour |
That last row is a subtle one: even a fully acceptable covering worn for a religious reason can fail if it is white or light and sits against a light background, because the head stops separating cleanly from the backdrop.
If the reason is unclear, you will be asked to explain
The standard gives the officer a clear instruction for ambiguity: if you are unsure why a customer is wearing a head covering — medical, religious or cultural — you must ask the customer to write to HM Passport Office to explain why they are wearing it and whether they can remove it for the passport photo. So a covering whose purpose is not evident from the application will trigger a written explanation rather than a straight decision. Knowing this, it helps to say up front, in the application, why the covering is worn.
What this does not cover
This page is about the cultural-versus-religious/medical distinction. It does not list every religious head covering country by country, and it does not cover general clothing. Where a covering is worn for religion or medicine and does not hide the face, the question becomes one of the standard photo requirements rather than the headwear rule itself.
60-second check
- ☐ Is the headwear worn for religious or medical reasons? (Cultural reasons are not accepted)
- ☐ Does it leave the whole face visible — no shadow, no concealment?
- ☐ Does it avoid distorting the face (no very tight wrap)?
- ☐ Does it contrast with the background (not white/light against a light backdrop)?
- ☐ If the reason is not obvious, ready to explain it in writing
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear a hat or head covering in a passport photo?
In general, no. Headwear is not accepted if it hides parts of the face, casts hiding shadows, distorts the face or causes a contrast problem with the background. Headwear worn for religious or medical reasons must be considered.
Why is a Fez, Keffiyeh or cowboy hat refused?
Because a head covering worn for cultural reasons must not be accepted. The standard names a Fez, a Keffiyeh, a headdress and a cowboy hat as examples.
What about religious headwear?
Head coverings worn for religious reasons may be accepted, as long as they do not cover the face. The covering must not hide the face or cause a contrast problem.
What about headwear for medical reasons?
Head coverings worn for medical surgery or illness — for example scarves or bandages for head wounds or hair loss — may be accepted as long as they do not hide the face.
What if I am not sure the reason is clear?
If the officer is unsure why a head covering is worn, they must ask the customer to write in to explain why they wear it and whether they can remove it for the photo.
Can a white or light head covering fail even for religious reasons?
It can, if it causes a contrast problem between the head and the background. A covering that is white or light in colour is given as an example of that problem.
Related: the accepted religious and medical coverings are covered in head coverings, and general clothing expectations are in the dress code guide. The reasons a photo fails are listed in top rejection reasons, and you can confirm a finished photo with the passport photo checker.