Month: July 2018

It may sound easy, but creating a passport online can be a daunting process. Many have filed all the documentation required, only for their visits out of the country to be delayed because they did not meet the parameters set out by the government. There are some strict guidelines, especially when rendering passport photos, that must be followed else the photos are rejected. Some of the scenarios where a passport photo might be rejected include:

Subject not facing front

Passport photos will be rejected if the subjects are not front facing, have shadows falling on the face and background, or show expressions that are not neutral. The government has set rules that the passports must have the person looking directly into the camera and be well composed. It is mandatory that the photo submitted must clearly show all the features from the tip of your head to just below the clavicle. Photos taken too close or too far away will not be accepted because they will distort your appearance.

Wearing glasses

If the subject is wearing glasses in the passport photo, then it will be rejected. The only exception is when the photo is accompanied by a medical report from a qualified and certified doctor declaring that you have a medical reason to wear them. This is one of the recent changes to the regulations, made because glasses often cast shadows on the face or may be tinted.

Objects in the background

Having objects present in the background, patterned or colored backgrounds will lead to a red light in your passport. The only acceptable background is white, uniform and with zero shadows. The lighting must be precise in that it shows your skin tones exactly as they appear in natural light conditions.

Size of the passport photo

Size parameters can also lead to photos not being accepted. The photo cannot be blurred, pixelated, unfocused, in motion or have printer dots and patterns. One can make passport photos at home, but they must strictly follow the guidelines. To ensure that the process of taking a passport photo is done correctly, visit a passport acceptance agent at a government passport agency. You can also go to a business that specializes in government passports for guidance.

Passport photos have to meet specific requirements that often seem over the top, such as making sure the person’s head doesn’t exceed a certain size in the photo. These requirements aren’t arbitrary, though; without them, it would be much harder to identify people trying to cross a border in an efficient manner.

Good Contrast

A passport picture needs to show the person’s face against a light background in good lighting. This ensures the person’s face isn’t accidentally obscured by background colors or objects. If part of the face isn’t visible, the passport agency would have to reject it, delaying your application. Or, if somehow the photo was accepted, it could create problems at the border if a guard can’t properly tell whether the photo is really you.

Reasonable Visibility

Just as you want good contrast between your face and the background behind you in the picture, so too do you want good visibility of your face itself. This means having the face be within a certain size so that it’s large enough for the border guards to see clearly and easily. You also want to ensure you don’t look like you’re wearing a disguise, which is why glasses and other accessories are not allowed. Passport photo requirements have the person in the photo looking straight at the camera, too, because changing the angle at which you look at the camera can often change how you look by a noticeable amount.

Standardization

And of course, there’s standardization. If everyone has the same size of passport photo, no one will have trouble fitting that photo inside the space allotted to it in the passport book. No part of the picture will have to be cut down, and no part of the text in the book will be covered up.

Want an easy way to get a passport photo that meets application requirements? Paspic can help. When you upload your own digital picture, Paspic will check that it meets requirements and format it into a real passport photo that you include with your application. This simple procedure is your ticket to easier travel.

If you’re a Europe-U.S. dual citizen living in the United States, or you’re a U.S. permanent resident with citizenship in a European country, you may one day face having to renew your European passport from the United States. European countries know that sometimes people have to apply from outside Europe and make forms available online and at consulates. However, you’ll also need to provide a photo that meets the standards of the country you’re dealing with. Thankfully, that’s easy to do even in the U.S.

Varied Requirements

A few countries accept U.S.-formatted passport photos for their own passports. For example, the Austrian Embassy in Washington notes that a U.S.-format photo is acceptable for Austrians renewing an Austrian passport in the U.S. (Be aware that regulations can change at any time, so always double-check this with a nearby consulate.)

Other countries, though, have specific requirements. The U.K. has a specific photo format, so you’d need to provide a photo that meets that standard even though it is different from what the U.S. requires, and thus it’s different from what you could get at a typical U.S. passport photo storefront.

You need to seek out photo companies that provide different formats of photos. These could be storefronts with the option to have different sizes of photos issued, or they could be online companies where you upload a photo and have the company format it for you before shipping it back to you.

Note that simply cutting down an existing photo may not work. You are much better off getting a new photo made, rather than risking having your passport renewal denied. A delay like that is unwelcome.

Paspic is one such company. It has locations in both the U.S. and the U.K., and if you’re unsure of how to get a U.K.-style photo made, you can contact a U.K. branch and see about getting a U.K.-formatted photo. Your passport is a crucial document and shouldn’t have anything that violates standards even by a little bit. Paspic can help you create the best renewal experience possible with a picture that meets all standards.

Passport photos have to meet a certain standard so that they fit inside the passport’s allowed area and so that they let border guards identify you easily. For U.S. passports, photos need to be 2 inches by 2 inches total, and the head in the picture needs to fit within a vertical range of 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches, or 25 mm to 35 mm from chin to top of head.

That is the best size because it not only fits inside the passport while still allowing all the text on the same page to be readable, but also because that size is best for the detailed attention the border guards have to give your photo. They have to get a clear view of the picture in the most efficient manner, and that size is what works best.

Additional requirements include having both eyes open, no glasses on (there are medical exceptions for this that require further documentation), white or off-white background, bright light, neutral expression or natural smile, and it must be no more than 6 months old. The photo itself must be in color and printed on photo-quality paper, not printed on plain paper. However, the photo can be glossy or matte. You can find more details on the U.S. State Department’s website in the section for the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Note that one country’s passport photos may be slightly different from another. For example, if you are a dual citizen of the U.S. and U.K., and you have extra passport photos that you got for your U.K. passport, those may be too small for the U.S. passport.

If you want to get passport photos, you could go to a retail establishment and have ones taken specifically for your application. However, you also have the choice of contacting an online company that lets you upload your own photos that meet the visual standards. Then you’ll get true passport photos sent back. Paspic allows you get quality passport photos quickly for a low fee. Whether you or your children need them, Paspic can format the photos correctly.

If you’re planning on taking your baby out of the country at some point, then you need a baby passport photo. Without one, you can’t legally re-enter the country or get into other countries. Fortunately, it’s easy to get quick passport photos. Find out how you can get your baby pictures done.

1. Consider your source for baby passport photos

There are a few ways that you can get your baby passport photos. For one, you can go through a professional photography service. For a fee, a photograph will take and print your photos. You could also go into certain pharmacies or retail services. However, the easiest method is to go online. Through the right service, you can get a passport size photo online. There’s no hassle and no complications.

2. Take the picture

Of course, you do need to take the picture. This isn’t as simple as it sounds. If you do your pictures at home, you need to be aware of the rules. For example, your baby needs to be looking at the camera. Additionally, she should have a closed mouth and a neutral expression. Be sure to remove any objects from your child’s hands, and keep the background clear of toys. Take your time getting the right picture. If you fail to do so, then your baby passport photos won’t be valid.

It’s also important that you pay attention to the background of the picture. It should be white, off-white, or a constant color. Although multiple colors might be cute, the background will invalidate your photo.

3. Make sure your photo meets the requirements

Knowing whether or not your baby passport photos is accurate can be challenging. Fortunately, there is help available. Use an online passport photo service to verify that your photo is acceptable. With the help of an expert, you can determine if you’re image is up to the standards.

Getting the Perfect Passport Photo

If you want the perfect passport photo, then you need some help. Paspic offers baby passport photos that can get you safely on your journey. With the photo taken care of, you can focus on the rest of your preparations.