Should You Put a Photo on Your CV? A Country by Country Guide
Whether to add a photo depends on where you apply. Where photos are expected, where to leave them off, and how to pick a good one.
Alexander Phillip
Career Coach and Recruitment Expert
Short answer: it depends on the country and the employer. Leave the photo off in the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada and Australia. A photo is common in much of continental Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia. In many African countries it is optional; follow the advert, and leave it off when in doubt.
Photo on a CV: yes or no?
The question to ask is: "Will a photo help the person reading this?" If the employer expects one, a missing photo can look odd. If they do not, it takes space from your experience and can invite judgments that have nothing to do with the job.
Where to leave the photo off
- UK and Ireland: not expected; recruiters often prefer none.
- United States and Canada: leave it off; employers avoid photos to reduce bias.
- Australia and New Zealand: generally not expected.
Where a photo is common
- Germany, Austria, Switzerland and much of continental Europe: often expected, though not required.
- Gulf countries and much of the Middle East: common on CVs.
- Parts of Asia: common in many countries.
What about Africa?
Practice varies by country, employer and sector. Many private companies and international organisations do not need a photo. Some public-sector application forms ask for a passport photo separately. Follow the advert. If it says nothing, a CV without a photo is the safe choice, and many international employers prefer it.
If you include a photo, do it right
- A recent, real photo that looks like you today.
- Head and shoulders, facing the camera, plain background.
- Good light and clean, work-appropriate clothing.
- No selfies, group photos, filters or heavily edited AI portraits.
- Small, in the top corner, so it does not push your experience down.
A note on AI photo tools: a restyled portrait that does not look like you will be noticed at the interview. If you use one, keep it close to how you really look.
Does a photo affect ATS?
Applicant tracking systems read text, so a photo neither helps nor scores points. A large image can make some CV files harder to process; keep it small. More in why CVs get rejected by ATS.
CV designs with and without a photo
Our CV templates include designs with a photo and designs without, and you can switch at any time without retyping. See how a CV should look in 2026 and what not to put on a CV. Or let the AI CV Agent build it and choose a design at the end; check the result with the free ATS CV checker.
Want to build the CV first and decide on the photo later? Build your CV with the AI CV Agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put a photo on my CV?
Only where it is expected. Leave it off in the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada and Australia. Photos are common in much of continental Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia. Elsewhere, follow the advert.
Should I put a photo on my CV in the UK?
No. UK employers do not expect a photo and many prefer CVs without one.
What kind of photo is good for a CV?
A recent, real head-and-shoulders photo with a plain background, good light and work-appropriate clothing. No selfies, filters or heavily edited portraits.
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