The United Kingdom is made up of 4 different countries, namely England, Scotland, Wales, and North Ireland, with its capital being London. The UK has a population of 66.02 million as of 2017 with an unemployment rate of 4.0%.

The UK has a lot of fun places to visit and there are a lot of reasons to visit the UK, but visiting the UK as a Nigerian won’t be possible without having a UK visa. Applying and getting your visa application approved is the main deal. The first step to avoiding your visa from being rejected is to avoid common passport picture mistakes.

Getting the right passport picture for your VISA Application can be very daunting because there are a lot of requirements to meet. Countries like the UK have very strict passport picture requirements that have to be followed before visa approval. Therefore, having the right passport picture is the first step to increase the chances of getting your visa application approved.

Below are the passport picture requirements for UK Visa.

UK Visa Photo Specifications     

• Visa Photo Size: With: 35mm (3.5cm), Height: 45mm (4.5cm). This photo size is extremely important.
• Resolution (dpi): 600
• Image definition parameters: Head height; 32.8mm (including the hair), Distance from the top of the photo to the top of the hair: 4.9mm.
• Photo Colour: Only colour photo is accepted.
• Glasses: Recommended glasses only, eyes should be visible. No sunglasses.
• Headgear: Should be for medical or religious reasons (it should not cover the facial features). Anything else is unacceptable.
• Facial Expression: Eyes should be visible and open, neutral expression only. No frowning, pouting or smiling.
• Background: Preferred light grey. No designs or pattern backgrounds.
• Head size and position: Head should be set in between 29mm and 34mm, taken with upper shoulders in view.
• Recency: Not more than 30 days old.
• Avoid beard outgrowth if you are usually cleanly shaven.

United Kingdom Visa Photo Guidelines

It is important that the requirements above are followed. Furthermore;

• You should know that the size of the photo shouldn’t be tampered with in any way. The picture should not be cut from a larger picture.
• The photo should be printed on clear photographic paper with no border.
• The photo should be clear and in focus.
• You must be looking facing and straight into the camera.
• No ‘red eye’ is permitted in photos.
• The photo should be a close up of your head and shoulders.
• Black and white photos are not allowed.
• The photos should solid colours with no enhancement.
• There shouldn’t be any designs on the background.
• Only recommended glasses should be worn and eyes should be visible. No tinted or sunglasses.
• If you are wearing any headgear for medical or religious reasons, it should be kept off the face.
• Avoid growing a beard if you are not usually on beards.
• Your hair can be down, but it shouldn’t cover any facial features.

United Kingdom Visa Photo Specifications for Babies, Toddlers and New-borns

Infants are the most difficult to photograph, and that’s why the government has decided to be lenient. Though the primary requirements such as good lighting, size and background are still applicable. For a child to travel internationally, he or she must have their own passport or visa. Here are more requirements to be followed:

• Eyes can be opened or closed
• For infants under 12 months, maintaining a neutral expression is not compulsory
• For children that are 6 years or under, it is not imperative to have a neutral expression. Though their face still needs to be clearly visible and squared to the camera. Their eyes should be focused forward and not looking
• If infants are held by their parent, the parent shouldn’t appear in the passport photo.
• Infants can also be in a car seat or lay down as long as the background is plain coloured (grey or cream).
• Holding toys or bottle is not allowed in the photo.

These requirements are in accordance with the United Kingdom Government. Getting these requirements right is very essential to your passport being approved. A well-taken passport says a lot and can go a long way.

Contact Elite Studio Nigeria for your VISA Passport photos for all countries.