Why passport photos get rejected
Passport photo rejected? Why UK photos fail
If your UK passport photo was rejected, the cause is usually one of a short list. Photos are most often rejected for shadows on the face or background, a background that is not plain and light-coloured, glare or frames covering the eyes, hair over the eyes, smiling or an open mouth, blur, editing or filters, and other people or objects in the picture. Digital photos are also rejected if they are smaller than 600×750 pixels or the file is outside 50KB–10MB.
Checked against GOV.UK on . Official sources:
The most common reasons, and how to fix each one
Each reason below comes from the GOV.UK photo rules. The fix is what usually solves it at home.
| Why the photo is rejected | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Shadows on your face or behind you | Face a window or use two soft lights at 45°. Stand about half a metre to a metre away from the wall so your shadow does not fall on it. |
| Background is not plain and light-coloured | Use a plain light wall or sheet with no pattern, texture, furniture or doors in view. Printed photos need cream or light grey. |
| Glasses: glare, reflections or frames over your eyes | GOV.UK says do not wear glasses unless you have to. If you must, no sunglasses or tinted lenses, and your eyes must not be covered by frames, glare, reflection or shadow. |
| Hair, a hat or anything else covering your face | Keep hair away from your eyes. Head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons. |
| Smiling, open mouth or not looking at the camera | Face forwards, look straight at the camera, keep a plain expression with your mouth closed and your eyes open. |
| Blurry, out of focus or not in colour | Hold the camera steady at eye level, tap to focus on the face, and switch off black-and-white or portrait-blur modes. |
| Edited, filtered or retouched | Do not use beauty filters, background replacement or red-eye tools. The photo must be unaltered by software; retake it instead. |
| Other people or objects in the picture | You must be alone in the photo. Babies must not hold toys or use dummies, and any supporting hand must not be visible. |
| Digital photo too small (under 600×750 pixels) | Use the original photo from your camera, not a screenshot or a copy sent through a messaging app. |
| File size under 50KB or over 10MB | Use the original file. If it is over 10MB, export it again at a slightly lower quality without cropping or editing. |
| Photo is too old | GOV.UK says your photo must have been taken in the last month, even if your appearance has not changed. |
What the free checker catches, and what it can't
The free UK passport photo checker runs in your browser and flags the problems that can be measured from the file: a photo under 600×750 pixels, a file under 50KB or over 10MB, a background that looks dark, busy or uneven at the corners, and a landscape or square shape.
It does not detect faces, so it cannot tell whether you are smiling, whether your eyes are open, or whether glasses are causing glare. Check those by eye against the table above before you upload.
Passport photo rejected during your application: what to do next
If your photo is flagged when you add it to your application, or you are asked for a new photo after applying because your passport photo was rejected, the fix is the same: get a new photo that meets every rule. GOV.UK says your application will be delayed if your photos do not meet the rules, so it is better to fix a problem before you submit.
- Read the specific problem the service shows and match it to the table above.
- Retake the photo rather than editing it. GOV.UK requires the photo to be unaltered by software.
- If you took the photo yourself, include your head, shoulders and upper body and do not crop it. GOV.UK crops it for you.
- Consider a photo booth or shop with a photo code. GOV.UK says these are more likely to be approved than photos taken on your own device.
- See our guides to taking a passport photo at home and digital photo size and cropping.
Free pre-check before you upload to GOV.UK
Our free UK passport photo checker tests pixel size (at least 600×750), file size (50KB–10MB), format, background and shape in your browser. Your photo is never uploaded.
Open the free checkerFrequently asked questions
What happens if my UK passport photo does not meet the rules?
GOV.UK says your application will be delayed if your photos do not meet the rules. Retaking the photo before you submit is usually much quicker than waiting for HM Passport Office to ask for a new one.
Can I edit my passport photo to fix a problem?
No. GOV.UK requires the photo to be unaltered by computer software, and the passport service photo rules say you cannot correct your passport photo. Retake it instead of editing out shadows, red eye or background marks.
Are photo booth photos less likely to be rejected?
Yes. GOV.UK says photos from a photo booth or shop are more likely to be approved than a photo taken on your own device. Ask for a photo code to use in an online application.