CV Rules by Country
The most common mistake when applying abroad is sending the same CV everywhere. In some countries a photo and date of birth are expected; in others they can hurt your chances. We compiled the conventions for 12 countries from government agencies, EU sources and university career services.
Last checked: 9 October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Conventions vary by sector and employer; if a job advert asks for something different, follow the advert. Where sources disagree, we say so.
Quick comparison
| Country | Document | Photo | Date of birth | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | Résumé | Not included | Not included | 1 page (max. 2) |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | CV | Not included | Not included | Max. 2 pages |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Resume | Not included | Not included | Max. 2 pages |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Resume | Only if requested | Not needed | 2 pages |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Lebenslauf | Optional, still common in many sectors | Usually included | 1–2 pages |
| 🇫🇷 France | CV | Common, optional | Not necessary | 1–2 pages |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | CV | Optional | Usually left out | Max. 2 pages |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Currículum vitae | Optional | Sources differ | Max. 2 pages |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Curriculum vitae | Not needed unless asked | Often included | 1–2 pages |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | CV | Sources differ | No source found | 2 pages (3 if senior) |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | Rirekisho + Shokumu keirekisho | Form has a photo box | On the form | Standard form + 1–2 pages |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | Özgeçmiş (CV) | Common, sources differ | Usually included | Short and concise |
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🇺🇸 United States
Document: Résumé
- For jobs the document is a résumé, ideally one page. In the US a “CV” means a longer academic document.
- No photo. According to the EEOC, employers should not ask for a photograph; one may be taken for identification after a job offer is made and accepted.
- Leave out date of birth and marital status. According to the EEOC, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which protects people aged 40 and over, does not specifically prohibit asking about age, but such questions are closely scrutinised.
- Experience is listed in reverse chronological order.
- References go on a separate page, usually 3–5 people.
Sources: EEOC – Prohibited practices · EEOC – Age discrimination · Colorado State University Career Center · Saint Louis University Career Services
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Document: CV
- The document is called a CV, no more than 2 pages.
- A photo is not expected.
- The government's National Careers Service advises not to include your age, date of birth, marital status or nationality. Some universities say you may mention nationality and visa status.
- Referees' contact details are not put on the CV; references are usually requested after a job offer.
Sources: National Careers Service (GOV.UK) · University of Worcester Careers
🇨🇦 Canada
Document: Resume
- The document is a resume, no more than 2 pages. Experience older than 15 years should be cut or minimised.
- According to the government's Job Bank, a photo is not the norm in Canada and can lower your chances.
- Leave out age, height, weight, marital status and religion. Never include your Social Insurance Number.
- The Ontario Human Rights Commission says employers in Ontario should not request photos, date of birth or marital status.
- Keep references on a separate sheet and give them only when asked.
Sources: Job Bank (Government of Canada) · Ontario Human Rights Commission
🇦🇺 Australia
Document: Resume
- The document is a resume, ideally 2 pages.
- The Australian Human Rights Commission says you don't need to include a photo, date of birth, sex/gender or marital status.
- Whether to mention a disability is entirely your choice.
- Experience is listed in reverse chronological order. A tailored cover letter is usual; some organisations ask you to address a set of selection criteria.
- Give at least two, preferably three referees (with their permission) at the end, or write “available upon request”.
Sources: Australian Human Rights Commission · Jobs and Skills WA · Veterans' Employment Program · Macquarie University Careers
🇩🇪 Germany
Document: Lebenslauf
- The document is called a Lebenslauf, usually 1–2 pages and no more than 2 A4 pages.
- According to the Federal Employment Agency a photo is no longer required, but it is still customary in many sectors. The University of Bremen links this to the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).
- Date of birth is usually included. A 2018 University of Cologne guide advises foreign applicants to state their nationality and work-permit status.
- Experience is listed most recent first, usually in a table layout.
- A full application usually contains a cover letter (Anschreiben), the CV and certificates and references (Zeugnisse).
- Traditionally the CV ends with place, date and signature (a 2018 university guide treats this as expected).
Sources: Bundesagentur für Arbeit · Make it in Germany (Federal Government) · Universität Bremen Career Center · Universität zu Köln (2018)
🇫🇷 France
Document: CV
- No more than 2 pages; one page is usually enough for recent graduates.
- A photo (top right) is still quite usual but optional.
- Date of birth, marital status and number of children are not necessary; include them only if relevant to the job.
- The French Labour Code (art. L.1132-1) prohibits excluding candidates on grounds such as origin, sex, age, family situation, physical appearance, or actual or supposed membership of an ethnic group, nation or race.
- A job title at the top of the CV with a 1–3 line summary of strengths is recommended. A cover letter (lettre de motivation) is expected.
Sources: France Travail – Recruter sans discriminer · LSE Careers – France · APECITA
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Document: CV
- A CV is normally no more than 2 A4 pages.
- Order: personal details, education, work experience, hobbies and volunteering, each section most recent first.
- A photo is optional; if you add one, use a professional portrait on a neutral background.
- EURES does not mention date of birth or nationality, and Leiden University leaves them out of its personal-details list.
- For qualified jobs a one-page application letter is standard. Certificates and references are usually brought to the interview.
- Europass is not well established among Dutch employers; a standard Dutch-style CV is recommended.
Sources: EURES – Netherlands (European Commission) · Leiden University Career Zone
🇪🇸 Spain
Document: Currículum vitae
- Ideally no more than 2 A4 pages.
- According to EURES a photo is not compulsory but may be useful for some jobs.
- Complutense University of Madrid advises leaving out marital status, children, ID number, photo and date of birth unless requested; other guides treat them as optional.
- Don't date or sign the CV; that belongs in the cover letter. Send both in Spanish unless the employer says otherwise.
- Europass is an accepted alternative, especially when applying from another EU country.
Sources: EURES – Spain (European Commission) · Universidad Complutense de Madrid · Universidad de Alcalá
🇮🇹 Italy
Document: Curriculum vitae
- 1–2 pages, experience in reverse chronological order.
- According to EURES no photo is needed unless the employer asks; some university guides list a photo among standard personal details.
- Ending the CV with a line authorising the processing of personal data is a common custom. EURES and some universities say to include it, while a legal publication notes that Italy's Privacy Code (art. 111-bis) does not require this consent for recruitment.
- Send a cover or motivation letter; certificates and references are not needed by default.
- Europass is mostly used for public competitions; private companies are less keen on it.
Sources: EURES – Italy (European Commission) · Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele · Università di Bari · Cybersecurity360 (legal analysis)
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Document: CV
- CVs are usually in English, 2 pages, or 3 for very experienced candidates.
- Sources disagree on photos: some guides say one is expected, while Dubai HR experts advise against it because of bias (except perhaps for client-facing roles).
- Article 4 of the UAE Labour Law prohibits discrimination based on gender, race, colour, religion, national or social origin or disability.
- Degrees obtained abroad must be attested by your home country's foreign ministry and the UAE embassy or consulate; some jobs also require an equivalency certificate.
Sources: UAE Government portal (u.ae) · Abu Dhabi Residents Office · Arabian Business · Expatica UAE
🇯🇵 Japan
Document: Rirekisho + Shokumu keirekisho
- Japan uses two documents: the rirekisho (履歴書), a standard personal-history form, and the shokumu keirekisho (職務経歴書), a 1–2 page A4 career summary.
- The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) sample rirekisho includes a photo box and date of birth.
- The gender field is optional and may be left blank. Fields such as commuting time, number of dependants and spouse were removed.
- The rirekisho may be handwritten (black pen, no correction tape) or made on a computer.
- Use either Western or Japanese-era years, but consistently.
Sources: MHLW sample rirekisho · MHLW – background of the sample form · Hello Work Osaka · Hello Work Umeda – shokumu keirekisho
🇹🇷 Turkey
Document: Özgeçmiş (CV)
- Sources differ on photos: a university career centre recommends a photo in business attire, while Kariyer.net says to add one if the employer asks.
- Date and place of birth and marital status are usually included, kept to about two lines. Male candidates state their military-service status.
- Avoid long paragraphs; list experience most recent first.
- Include a cover letter (ön yazı) tailored to the position.
- Advice on references differs: some guides suggest two non-family referees, while Kariyer.net says to give them only when asked.
Sources: Aydın Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi Kariyer Merkezi · Kariyer.net
Frequently asked questions
Should I put a photo on my CV when applying abroad?
It depends on the country. In the US, UK and Canada a photo is not included; in Germany and France it is still common but optional. If unsure, check the job advert and the company's careers page. Adding a photo in MobilCV is optional.
Should I include my date of birth?
In the US, UK, Canada and Australia it is advised to leave it out. In Germany, Italy and Turkey it is usually included.
How long should a CV be?
Most countries we reviewed recommend no more than 2 pages. In the US a one-page résumé is preferred for job applications.
Is a Europass CV accepted everywhere?
Europass is accepted in Spain and for applications within the EU, but according to EURES it is not well established in the Netherlands, and in Italy it is mostly used for public competitions.
Related: CV examples by profession · CV guide