Author: Paspic

You must obey certain rules if you want to take a successful passport photo. Essentially this means that you can’t just jump into a photo booth and start snapping away without checking the guidelines first. If your picture doesn’t meet the strict criteria it can be rejected, thus delaying your passport from being processed. Here are five things you must avoid doing if you want to get your photo right first time around.

1. Smiling

The rules are pretty clear on this one. According to the official guidelines, you must have a ‘neutral expression’ on your face. This means that you must resist the urge to smile even if you are tempted to show off your pearly white teeth.

2. Posing

It’s the age of the selfie and people are more in-tune than ever when it comes to their best angle. However, when it comes to your passport no one cares whether you look better with your head tilted down as your eyes gaze into the distance. Instead, you must face forward and look directly at the camera.

3. Editing

Mobile phone users are spoilt for choice when it comes to pictures. They edit their snaps to make them black and white, sepia, faded and many more shades. However, on your passport photo you must use a colour image on plain white paper.

4. Headgear

There are certain exceptions to when you can cover your head. This includes if it’s for medical reasons or because of your religious belief. Obviously, this doesn’t include hats, bandanas or caps, so don’t even think about wearing one of these for your passport photo.

5. Obstructive fringes

Every now and then a new fashion trend dictates that it’s perfectly acceptable to have hair across your face. But there’s little room for adventurous hairstyles on passport photos. If you take a picture with your fringe obstructing your eyes you’ll have to go back and do it again before your passport can be processed.

It’s photo time

If your first passport photo is rejected it can be very inconvenient. Therefore, be sure to avoid these five temptations and everything should run rather smoothly.

The process of getting a new passport can be time-consuming, complicated and rather expensive. That is why it’s important to know when you’ll need a new one. If your passport was issued when you were over the age of 16, it should last for 10 years. However, you may need one sooner if you make significant changes within that time. With that in mind, here are three times when you will and three times when you won’t need a new passport.

When you will:

A change of name

If you change your name – whether it’s your first name or your surname – you’ll need to get a new passport. This can happen under a whole manner of circumstances but is most likely to affect newlyweds or divorcees.

A change of gender

If you have transitioned from male to female or female to male, you’ll need to apply for a new passport so that it coincides with your new gender.

A (big) change to appearance

If you make any significant changes to your appearance – such as undergoing plastic surgery – you will need to apply for a new passport so that your passport photo is up to date.

When you won’t:

A (small) change to appearance

Don’t worry, a new passport isn’t required just because you’ve made minor changes to your appearance. Therefore, if you’ve stopped wearing glasses, dyed your hair or grown a beard, you’ll be fine with your current passport.

A change to your marital status

If you’ve just tied the knot but you’re keeping your last name, you won’t need a new passport. Just going from ‘miss’ to ‘mrs’ is fine. On the other hand, if you’ve adopted a new surname, then you will need a new passport before travelling abroad.

A change of title

Some professionals become concerned that they will need a new passport if they acquire a new title. This can include becoming a doctor or a professor. In such cases, your current passport will still be valid.

Happy travels

If you do require a new passport but haven’t altered your appearance, it’s probably best to get new passport photos done so that it’s a better representation of how you look right now. If you have a holiday planned and need a new passport, minimise any delay by using Paspic to ensure your new photos are up to standard.

If you’ve followed all the tips on our blogs, you’ll already have a set of perfect passport photos. But don’t just file them away in a drawer, because there are some good reasons why you should carry those extra passport photos when you’re on your travels.

Emergency travel documents

It can happen to any of us – you lose your passport, or, worse yet, have it stolen. You may even discover that your passport has expired before your return journey. In all these cases you’ll need emergency travel documents from the nearest Consulate, and to provide the documents the Consulate will need up to date passport photos.

Trekking in Africa

If you’re fulfilling your dream of communing with wildlife, you may find you need to provide a passport photo for your trekking permits; another clever use for those extra passport photos you had taken. We’ve also blogged about needing extra photos for visas, so carry them with you in a small Ziploc bag to protect against moisture damage.

Foreign adoption

If you can’t wait to bring home that bundle of joy from abroad, you’ll need to take some extra passport photos for identification purposes. These will be attached to all the relevant paperwork, and not having them to hand can hold up the process.

Luggage ID

Pimp your luggage labels with a passport photo. That way there’ll be no disputes at the baggage carousel because you can definitively prove that, yes, that shocking pink suitcase is yours. Just pop a passport photo inside your luggage label. Works well for carry-ons, too.

Police reports

Should the very worst happen and your partner or child goes missing on holiday, you’ll need to file a police report. This procedure can be extremely distressing and you’ll be asked to provide an up to date image for the police to work with. A spare passport photo can be the ideal means of identification thanks to its clarity of image.

Carry a digital copy

Finally, remember to have a digital copy stored on your phone as backup, in case you lose the hard copies.

Taking a passport photo as an adult is hard enough – getting the right angle, keeping your eyes open, deciding on a photo that you’re happy to commit to for the next ten years. However, if you’re the parent of an infant, the idea of getting an acceptable passport photo of a temperamental newborn can seem like another level of difficulty.

To help make sure your baby’s passport photo is more likely to be accepted, here are a few simple do’s and don’ts…

DO lie your baby on a white sheet

For very young children, you’re much more likely to get a useable shot if your child is lying down than if you try to sit them up. This is totally acceptable, but you still need to create a white background for the photo. The easiest way to do this is to lie your child down against a smooth white sheet.

DON’T be in the shot

You might find it easier to keep your baby calm if you’re holding them or supporting their head. This is acceptable, but your hands can’t appear in the shot, so make sure you position yourself in a way that you can easily be cropped out without compromising the photo.

DO make sure your baby’s head is clearly visible

A baby’s head still needs to take up around 80% of the photo to be acceptable in most countries. Just like an adult passport photo, only the head and the top of the shoulders should be visible in a classic portrait style.

DON’T give your baby a pacifier

It might be the easiest way to keep your baby calm and quiet during the photography session, but a picture of a child with a pacifier in his or her mouth is unlikely to be accepted.

DO use toys behind the camera

If your baby has a favourite toy, holding it up behind the camera is a good way to keep them happy and looking in the right direction. You could also use the old trick of dangling a set of keys. In most countries, children under six don’t need to be looking directly at the camera as long as they’re facing in roughly the correct direction.

DON’T worry about getting the perfect shot

Baby passport photos are only temporary, so don’t get too hung up on capturing the perfect image. If you get stressed, chances are your child will pick up on it, making the experience much more difficult than it needs to be. If you remember that a passport photo is just a means to an end and focus on hitting all the standard criteria, there’s no reason you can’t have a perfectly acceptable shot in a matter of minutes.

We’ve all been there: we get our passport photograph taken at the height of a fashion revolution, only to cringe a few years’ later whenever we need to produce our ID. So, just how do we get it right in terms of makeup and beauty, so we love our passport photos, instead of loathing them?

Start with the basics

The first beauty tip, and probably the most important, is to start with the basics: your complexion. It is common for photo booth images to come out looking a little flat and dull, so taking the time to work on your complexion is a must. Try not to go for a foundation that has an SPF base as a flash can make your face look overly shiny. Instead, opt for a matt foundation and use a subtle highlighter down your nose and along your cheekbones. Natural bronzing powder will be great for subtly contouring your face, leaving you with a fresh, matte and gorgeous complexion on your passport photos.

Remember, less is more, and try not to over contour or highlight, as it is a subtle glow and not shine that you want in your photos.

Don’t try too hard

Your passport photo needs to last 10 years, so you want to keep your look timeless. Don’t go wearing anything that is overly trendy. For instance, a dramatic eyeliner, brightly coloured lipstick or metallic eyeshadow might be looking catwalk worthy now, but in five years’ time it may leave you blushing upon its reminder.

The secret smile

The rules of smiling on photos for your passport are extremely strict, there are ways to ensure you look as though you are smiling without actually doing so. Sounds odd, but with a little bit of practice in the mirror beforehand this trick works. When in the photo booth, get in position and look straight ahead. Breathe in, then out and relax your facial muscles. Lightly clench your teeth, widen your eyes and raise your eyebrows a tiny bit while silently telling yourself to think about smiling.

Organising a passport for a child can be a worry for some parents. Getting an appropriate baby passport photo can be one problem, whilst for some, understanding the passport eligibility criteria and completing the paperwork can be stressful.

The actual process is relatively simple. You will need to make arrangements for the child’s passport photo yourself. Then you can apply for a child’s passport either online or pick up an application form at the Post Office. If you are unsure about completing the form, the Post Office offers a Check and Send service where a member of staff will check your child’s passport application form before it is sent.

The application must be signed by an adult with parental responsibility and a counter-signatory who can confirm that this adult does actually have parental responsibility. This person must also sign the back of the passport photo to confirm that it is a good likeness of the child. The child must also sign the form if he or she is aged between 12 and 15. Children who are approaching 16 must apply for 10 year adult passports. This can be done without parental consent.

You need to provide originals of supporting documents to confirm your child’s identity. The application form will set out which documents are required depending on your child’s circumstances. These will be returned to you by post and you can pay an extra £3 to have them returned by secure delivery. As with applications or renewals for adult passports, you can track the application online – immediately for online applications or after three weeks if you have applied by post.

There are specific procedures in place for children who are adopted, fostered or born through either assisted reproduction or surrogacy. For example, there are different processes for children who were adopted from abroad compared to children adopted in the UK. If you are fostering a child who requires a passport, you may have to liaise with both the passport office and the local authority under whom the child is in the care of. Try and make sure you leave plenty of time for these organisations to do what is required.

It’s true to say that passports mainly function as a means of helping us cross the boarder into different countries. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest in one just because you can’t afford to go away, or you prefer a ‘staycation’. Some people might never have had a passport, while others might simply have let theirs expire without giving any thought to getting a new one. This could cause many unforeseen problems, even if you aren’t eyeing up a holiday in the near future. Here are three times when you may find you need a passport.

1. Identification

Passports are the most commonly accepted forms of ID, alongside driving licences. Flashing a passport is often the answer to buying a whole range of age-restricted products, including cigarettes, alcohol and lottery tickets. You may also not be allowed to see some movies if you can’t produce a form of ID beforehand. Even when you are well over the legal age, those lucky enough to look youthful may be called upon to show their ID on a regular basis.

2. Employment

You can be asked to produce your passport when starting a new job. This is because your new employer will want to see proof that you are eligible to work in the UK. If you can’t show your passport, you may be required to get a new passport before your first day of work. This can be pricey and could risk pushing back your start date.

3. Unplanned travel

You never know when you might need to hop on a plane or ferry. Just because you aren’t planning on having a holiday abroad doesn’t mean you won’t end up going away. Sometimes you could be required to travel overseas with work, or a close friend could organise a special occasion – such as a wedding – in a foreign country. Don’t be left trying to sort a passport at the last minute.

Sort your passport today

If you haven’t got a valid passport already, you should go and get one as soon as possible. The whole process starts with posing for a passport photo and afterwards you can use it for ID, official documentation and for unplanned trips.

In most cases, you won’t require a new passport photo until it is time to renew your passport. This means that – as long as your passport was issued after you turned 16 – you won’t need to change your passport photo for a decade. Unfortunately there are certain scenarios where you might need to submit another photo for your passport. One such instance is when applying for a US visa waiver.

Travelling to the US

If you’re travelling to the United States from the UK, you will need to apply for an ESTA visa. ESTAs give tourists the opportunity to spend up to 90 days in the US. You can apply for an ESTA online by filling in a rather detailed form. Generally, the majority of people will be granted access to the country, however, there are several occasions when you may need to apply for a visa waiver instead.

People are mostly likely to require a visa waiver if they have ever been arrested for a crime. This arrest doesn’t have to have resulted in a conviction, and instead only has to have occurred. Anyone interested in a visa waiver will have to attend an interview at the US embassy. During this interview a decision will be made concerning whether you are eligible to enter the US – and therefore if you will require a visa waiver.

An additional passport photo

If you are accepted for a visa waiver, you will require a new visa to be stamped into the back of your passport. This will call for an additional, up to date photo. This photo is subject to all the same conditions as your main passport photo. This means you shouldn’t be smiling, your eyes must be visible and you shouldn’t have any hair in your face that obstructs your appearance. Typically you will be required to submit this additional photo when you attend your meeting at the US embassy.

Enjoy your trip to the US

The process of getting a US visa waiver is long and thorough. Make sure you don’t cause any delays by taking an acceptable passport photo and bringing it with you to your interview.

It is a sad fact, but many people live to regret their passport photo. They end up cringing whenever they see it and take desperate measures to make sure others don’t lay their eyes on it as well. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Before posing for your next passport photo, consider these five steps and avoid the likelihood that you’ll one day look back and hang your head in embarrassment.

Choose a simple hairstyle

Hair really can make or break a passport photo. That is why your safest bet is to choose a simple and timeless style. Also, avoid too many hair products as these can make you look rather greasy.

Watch what you wear

Avoid the urge to wear anything that hasn’t already stood the test of time. This means steering clear of clothes that have just come into fashion. If not, the picture might haunt you like a bad 80s prom dress.

Don’t pose

Make sure you keep a relatively straight face and resist the urge to flash a smile. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t pout and should instead focus on looking directly at the camera.

Prepare for the picture

Believe it or not, you can actually prepare for a passport picture. This includes getting a new haircut or plucking your eyebrows. Men might want to trim their facial hair so it is neat and tidy.

Don’t leave it until the last minute

If you leave your passport photo until the last minute, you’re just increasing the chance that it could go wrong. Instead, take the picture when you have got time to reflect on if it’s right for you. If it’s not, you should still have time to snap another before the deadline.

Look back and smile

It really is possible to look back and smile when you see your passport photo. Just make sure you follow these relatively easy steps and you could be grinning for years to come (or at least until it’s time to renew your passport again).

Passport photos last for years, but it always seems to surprise you when a new one is needed (unless it’s a baby passport photo, of course).

However, that day does come round every so often and, when it does, you want to make sure your image is as perfect as possible. After all, you will have to use it for many years to come! Here’s how to prepare for the ideal passport photo.

Clothes

Bear in mind that only your upper chest and above will appear in the photo, so dressing in your best trousers isn’t going to make a difference.

Focus on the shirt you wear, picking something that’s comfortable yet appropriate. Think about what you’d wear to a smart-casual event.

Also, ditch the jewellery and try to avoid bright colours, both of which can leave a less flattering appearance in a black and white photo.

Finally, don’t wear the same clothes you used for the previous photo. It has been known for people to have their photo rejected because the authorities thought it was the same one from years before!

Hair

Have it cut about two weeks before the photo, giving it a bit of time to grow out and look natural.

Also, don’t go for the model look on the day – just stick with the same hairdo you have every other morning. The photo is for passport control to recognise you, not a fashion agency to hire you.

Contacts

If you have poor eyesight, ditch the glasses for the day. Although they tend not to cause problems, the glare off them can sometimes reflect in the photo.

Sleep

Finally – and this relates to your eyes also – get enough sleep the night before and steer clear of any wild parties.

No matter how hard you try on the day, if you were downing shots the night before, those bags under your eyes will be impossible to get rid of. If you doubt this, just ask any student who got their registration card picture taken during Freshers’ Week!