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Passport pictures are an important part of the application. If the pictures are incorrect (wrong size, wrong pose, wrong facial expression), HM Passport Office will reject the photo and your passport will be delayed. To get the correct UK passport photo follow our tips. This way you will be accepted, and you will soon be able to travel all over the world.
Taking a photo for your passport is one of the most important steps in applying for a document. The UK passport office takes this extremely seriously. You must provide a biometric image that meets the strict standards for document photos. But not only the UK government is restrictive on photos. Almost all Europeans have to provide biometric photos in important documents such as driving license, ID, insurance card or passport.
Biometric photos have been present in the UK since 2006 − then the first biometric travel documents were issued. The biometric photo looks quite specific − a bit like a mugshot. The shot is taken straight ahead and the photographed person cannot smile, not even a little. For this reason, many people complain that they look unfriendly and unattractive in the passport photo. However, all this has a purpose − such photos are supposed to reflect the biometric features of the face. These are individual features that allow special biometric programs to quickly and easily identify the person in the photo. All because each person has an individual set of biometric features of the face.
There is another aspect, no less important − a bit of vanity. Your passport picture will be your companion for 10 years - this is the validity period of the document. There is nothing wrong with wanting to get a good shot. After all, if we travel a lot, we will have to show our passport picture often. Perhaps it will be watched not only by passport officials, airline employees or border officials. You may need to show your passport to your boss and colleagues. It's obvious you want a good UK passport photo!
To quickly take a UK passport photo you need a smartphone and our editor. You don't even have to prepare the background and worry about the correct UK passport photo size − the tool removes the background itself and cuts the image to 35x45 mm (printed pictures) or 900x1200px (digital photo).
Ask a family member for help. Prepare lighting and clothing. Pose as required (you can find the listing below). Tick! Take more shots and choose the best. Share the picture file on our online tool. Wait for the program to validate (the tool also works like a passport photo validator!). Now it will remove the background and crop it to the correct size. Done! Check your email. You’ll find there a file that has been edited and prepared for printing or sending directly online.
For the current UK passport photo requirements you should visit www.gov.uk and see the photo guidelines. There you will find two separate instructions for taking digital or printed photos. This is because you can apply for a UK passport online, through the website, or by traditional filling out and submitting a paper form. Luckily you’re visiting this site now and we are happy too. Below are some tips for taking passport photos. You will learn about the most important UK passport photo requirements so you can take a good picture at home.
The quality of the photos is very important. You need to print the pictures with high quality on photo paper. It must be colored and not torn, wrinkled or marked. Also, except for certification by countersignor, photos cannot be signed. The photo must be clear and sharp, and also strongly "fresh". Specifically, it must have been taken within the last month. This requirement is specific to the United Kingdom. Most countries require a photo that is no more than 6 months old.
UK passport photo size is 35 x 45 mm for printed pictures, and 900 x 1200 px for a digital photo. In both cases the head must be between 34 and 29 mm (approx.). This is the area from the top of the hair to the chin. The frame must include the close-up of your face, head and upper shoulders.
You have to pose facing forward and look directly at the camera. The head must be in the center of the frame. You must have a neuter facial expression - you cannot smile or frown. Pictures with a smile, even a small one, are rejected. The face must be straight − don't tilt your head to either side. Do not raise or lower it.
Sunglasses and tinted are unacceptable. Prescription glasses may be worn on the UK passport photo as long as they do not cover your eyes. There must be no glare in the lenses of the glasses. In addition, the glasses must not cover the pupils.
All headcovers should be removed. Religious covers are an exception, however, to be able to have them in the picture, you must provide a certificate from the religious community. Moreover, religious headcovers must not cover even a part of the face.
There is no such thing as a dress code on a passport photo. Do you have casual clothes that make you look nice? Put them on, but remember a few things. It is best to wear a bright top, but not a white one. The white color blends with the background, making the photo unreadable by biometric software. Black or almost black color should also be avoided - it can distort the contrast necessary to achieve the correct image.
Do not wear a uniform or clothes that look like a uniform. Avoid too tight and crazy clothes. Fluorescent colors are also not welcome. Dress for your UK passport photo as for Sunday lunch, and you won't regret it.
No matter how beautiful your jewelry is − it's best to take it off for a picture if the size is at least L. Shiny necklaces can throw reflections, and large earrings can cover the cheeks. In the photo you may have, however, small earrings and a fine chain.
A UK passport photo must be taken with a solid and light background. The background may be cream, light gray or white. You can get such a background by posing with a white wall behind your back. You can also organize a background photo with the help of a sheet. Remember that our photo editor removes the background itself, so that the final version of the photo is completely white. This is a big help - when using our tool, you don't have to worry about the background at all.
Are you taking a passport photo at home? There are many common mistakes that you should avoid. If you ignore them, your picture will not look good or will not be validated at the passport office. As a result, your passport application will be rejected. What not to do when you take a picture?
Lighting is perhaps the most difficult thing to handle in a home photo shoot. You probably don't have studio lamps at home, do you? Fortunately, natural light is enough. However, you need to ensure that daylight comes in from both sides and illuminates you well. If the plan is still underexposed, bring a lamp.
There must be no shadows on the UK passport picture: on the head, behind the back, on clothes, on the background. But how to avoid shadows on the home plan? Ask someone to take a photo of you. You'll get it much faster and easier than taking a selfie. The 'assistant' should stand with the phone 1.5 m in front of you. You stand 0.5 m from the wall. Such distances will eliminate unacceptable shadows.
If you use our photo editing tool, you don't have to worry about the background. The tool itself removes the background and you get an image with a white background. However, if you set the background yourself, make it uniform, bright, without any decorations or objects on the back. Otherwise your photo will be rejected.
Many people remember the times when they posed half-profile and with a full smile for passport photos. Perhaps you did it even recently - 7-8 years ago. These times, however, are over. There are currently specific photo requirements for personal documents. You have to pose straight (frontally), look directly at the camera and not smile. Keep your natural facial expression and closed mouth. Do not frost your eyes and look away. This is very important because only in this way you will take a biometric photo at home that is necessary to attach to the application.
UK passport photo size must be exactly 35x45 mm (width x height) or 900x1200 px (digital picture). Some people decide to crop printed pictures before submitting them to the application. Don’t do that! HM Passport Office clearly states that cropping will be done by an officer and applicants mustn’t do it by themselves. It is, however, acceptable if the professional photo editor does the cropping. Our photo tool activates this function for every image file. As a result you get a perfectly cropped passport photo ready to print or submit online.
How do I add a passport photo to my application? It depends on the application method you have chosen. Below you will find quick instructions on how to add a photo to your UK Passport application:
A UK passport is a travel and personal ID issued by a British HM Passport Office to people who meet certain requirements. A British passport also works as an ID and can replace it many times during the trip. It is also used to identify the holder ̶ that is why all personal data and a biometric passport photo are there. HM Passport Office (Her Majesty’s Passport Office) is an agency of the Home Office and a successor to the United Kingdom Passport Agency.
Who can apply for a UK passport? Only a person holding British citizenship assigned to one of the following groups is entitled to do so: British citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British overseas citizen, British subject, British national (overseas) or British protected person. However having a British nationality does not guarantee a passport. Document may not be given to a person who:
You can apply for a British passport online or traditionally through the Royal Post Office.
Online application is faster and cheaper - passport issuance takes approx. 3 weeks and the entire service costs £ 75.50. You don't have to print photos either - all you need is a digital UK passport photo. You fill out the entire application online at www.gov.uk. That way you can also track your application online - just make sure that your application reference begins with 'PEX'.
The submission of the application is traditionally carried out with the use of a paper form, which you can receive at special 'Passport Check and Send service' points. The application costs £ 85. You must provide a paper application and 2 identical printed UK passport photos. In this method you apply in person you must wait 3 weeks before you can track your application online (you are not able to do it immediately).
Also, you can apply using Post Office Digital Check & Send Service. It works like normal service but pot officers will take your photo, fill in the application online and submit it for you. In this case you need to bring only your old passport which will be sent to HM Passport Office by Special Delivery and charged with additional fee.
In exceptional circumstances, you can get your passport urgently. For this purpose, you can use a special Passport Adviceline (0300 222 0000). This path is possible for people who travel for compassionate reasons, travel urgently for work or need to prove an identity, for example they are applying for a job, mortgage or benefits.
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