OFFICIAL CONSULAR SPECIFICATION● PHOTO REQUIREMENTS GUIDEPassport Photo Rejected? Common Reasons and What to Do Next
Why US and UK passport photos get rejected, what happens to your application, and how to fix the photo before you resend it.
Try the assessment first. Paid downloads include a clean JPEG and print-ready sheet; review the package price before checkout. Follow the receiving authority’s photography instructions.
A photo that does not meet the rules is one of the most common reasons a passport application is delayed. For a US passport, the Department of State contacts you and asks for a new photo; follow the instructions in that letter or email. For a UK online application, the photo check shows the reason and tips for fixing it. You can still submit if you think the result is wrong, or if a religious or medical reason stops you meeting the rules, but HM Passport Office may still ask for a different photo later.
Who this guide is for
Applicants whose photo was rejected at a store, by an online check, or by the passport office, and anyone who wants to avoid that before applying.
Key Biometric Specifications
Preparing the photo
Practical preparation tips; use the linked application instructions for requirements.
- Read the reason you were given. Fix that specific problem rather than simply retaking the same photo.
- Retake with someone else holding the camera at eye level, facing a window, about 1–1.5 m from a plain light wall so no shadow falls behind you.
- Remove glasses, push hair behind the ears and keep a neutral face with your mouth closed.
- Check the new file before resubmitting. Our free passport photo checker reports dimensions and file size; review expression, lighting and background yourself.
Mandatory Consular Rules
- US: no glasses unless you send a signed doctor’s statement explaining why you cannot remove them.
- US: the photo must be taken in the last 6 months, by someone else (no selfies), unedited.
- UK: the photo must be taken in the last month. Prints are 45×35 mm; digital files at least 600×750 pixels and 50 KB–10 MB.
- Both: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, no shadows, plain light background, no head covering except for religious or medical reasons.
- Both: no filters, retouching or AI edits. Mirror-image (flipped) photos are not accepted in the UK.
Troubleshooting the photo
“Shadows on face” or “background not plain”
Overhead lights and standing close to the wall cast shadows. Patterned walls read as busy backgrounds.
Face a window, turn off overhead lights and step forward from the wall.
“Glasses” or “glare”
The US no longer allows glasses at all without a doctor’s statement. UK and other countries reject glare or frames over the eyes.
Take the photo without glasses. If you cannot remove them, follow the medical statement route for your country.
“Expression” or “mouth open”
A wide smile changes the face shape used for comparison.
Relax your face, close your mouth and take several frames.
“Photo too old” or “does not look like you”
Reused photos and heavy editing both fail.
Take a new, unedited photo within the time limit.
Top Rejection Pitfalls to Avoid
- Glasses in a US photo, or glare on glasses in a UK photo.
- Smiling widely or an open mouth.
- Shadows on the face or behind the head.
- Head tilted or turned, or hair over the eyes.
- Blurry, dark or low-resolution images.
- A photo older than the limit (6 months US, 1 month UK).
United States photo requirements and document options
Digital and printed copies
A print can fail for physical reasons a digital file cannot: wrong size, cut down from a bigger print, home printing quality, or marks on the back. A digital upload fails on pixels, file size, compression and editing. Fix the one you are actually submitting.
Questions about this guide
What happens if my US passport photo is rejected?
Your application is not cancelled. The Department of State contacts you and asks for a new photo. Send it as the letter or email instructs, and keep your application details to hand.
What happens if my UK passport photo is rejected online?
The online check shows why and how to fix it. You can choose another photo, or submit anyway if you think the result is wrong or a medical or religious reason applies. HM Passport Office may still ask for a new one.
What are the most common reasons passport photos are rejected?
Glasses and glare, shadows, smiling, a tilted head, hair over the eyes, a busy background, blur, and photos older than the limit.
My baby’s passport photo was rejected. What should I do?
Rules for babies are more relaxed: in the UK, children under one do not need their eyes open. Babies must still be alone in the photo with no hands, toys or dummies visible. See our baby passport photo guide for how to take it.
What if a photo from ApprovaVisa is rejected?
If an official office rejects a photo you bought from us for a photo-rule reason, our refund policy covers it.
About this guide
ApprovaVisa editorial team
Reviewed: 25 October 2026
Requirements come from the linked authority source. Where our summary and the authority differ, follow the authority.
Prepare Your United States Photo
Check the receiving authority’s instructions before preparing a photo. Use professional photography where required, and retain the original image when digital alterations are prohibited.
Try the assessment first. Paid downloads include a clean JPEG and print-ready sheet; review the package price before checkout. Follow the receiving authority’s photography instructions.