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.

Travelling abroad can be very interesting especially when it comes to going to places you’ve always dreamed of. Canada is a country located in North America with lots and lots of beautiful places and opportunities. There are quite a number of reasons anyone might want to travel to Canada, be it to study, live with family, tourist visit, or for business reasons.

Visa application is a very important aspect of international travelling as it allows the Canadian embassy to obtain relevant information about who you are, your eligibility for a visa and reasons for applying for a visa. Acquiring Canadian visa can be very demanding and stressful as you can get disqualified for different reasons ranging from inconsistent information to poor interviews. Another common reason for getting disqualified for your visa is wrong passport photographs, that is, not meeting the passport picture requirement for Canada visa.

Many countries have a lot of rules and regulations with regards to the passports required for your visa. Requirements for every country varies according to the country’s standards. Hence, the reason you require the service of a professional photo studio in Nigeria to get things right at first.

Below are the passport picture requirements for a Canadian Visa.

Canada Visa Photo Specifications

• Visa Photo Size: Width – 35mm (3.5cm); Height – 45mm (4.5cm)
• Required Size: 60kb to 240kb
• Resolution (dpi): 305
• Image definition parameters: Head height – 34.7mm (including the hair); Distance from the top of the photo to the top of the hair – 3mm
• Head Size: Must be centred and should measure 31mm
• Headgear: For religious purposes only and must not block facial features. Face should not be obscured.
• Facial Expression: Eyes wide open and a neutral expression only (no frowning, no pouting, and no smiling)
• Beard: No restrictions
• Background: Plain white or light coloured
• Recency: Not more than 6 months
• Quantity needed: Two (2) passport photographs
• Passport Photo Size: Width – 50mm (5cm), Height 70mm (7cm)

There should also be some information on the back of the passport photograph. The following details should be included on the back of the passport photography for Canada Visa:

• Applicant Name
• Address of the Photo Studio
• Date passport photograph was taken – this can be stamped or handwritten
• A guarantor is required to certify the passport photography by adding “I certify this to be a true likeness of <applicant>” and then guarantor’s full name and signature.

Canada Visa Photo Guidelines

The above-listed guidelines are very crucial because they are the required procedures for a Canadian Passport. Please note that:

• It is advisable to use natural lighting with your face showing clearly
• Altering of photos can cause automatic rejection or disapproval – editing is not permitted
• A signed letter must be submitted if you are wearing any medical devices
• Hair should be packed up or down and should be kept away from the face
• The passport photo is preferred on glossy paper and high-quality photo paper
• Your shoulders should be square with the passport photo not twisted or sagged
• The flash from the photography shouldn’t affect the skin tone – it should be natural
• No shadows should be cast on the face
• Canada prefers all photos taken with neutral expressions as this allows better face recognition on their system
• The frames on your recommended glasses shouldn’t be too thick as this hinders verification – no tinted glasses or sunglasses are permitted
• The only exception to headpiece is for religious reasons; every other reason are not allowed

Canada Visa Photo Specifications for Babies, Toddlers, Newborns

For every child travelling, there must be a passport or visa, and this should include an individual photo of the child. The Canadian government knows the frustration of getting the passport photo of babies’ right so they’ve decided to be somewhat lenient towards the rules. But still, some conditions still need to be followed:

• Try to get the photo of the toddler with face squared and mouth closed
• Peradventure an adult is holding the child, his or her hand should not be visible
• The background should be solid and white and you can use a sheet to get a better result
• The infant can lay down or be in a car seat.
• No shadows around the ear, the background, face or shoulders

Getting the requirements right is a very crucial step. A well-taken passport says a lot and can go a long way.

South Africa is home to a lot of Africans, and at the same time, it’s also a dream country to a lot of Africans, especially countries like Nigeria. From the Kruger Park, to the Table Mountain, to Johannesburg, to the Cradle of HumanKind, and to the Palace of the Lost City or otherwise called Sun City, you can never run out of reasons to visit South Africa. Unfortunately, visiting other countries (like South Africa) don’t just happen like wishes. There are a set of conditions that need to be followed and adhered to before visiting another country, one of which is the requirement for a visa. Travelling without a visa to another country with a controlled border is impossible, which is why you have to get a visa to travel to South Africa from Nigeria.

As easy as it might sound, a good percentage of visas gets declined or rejected because of passports photos not meeting the requirements. Hence, you require the service of a professional photo studio in Nigeria to get things right at first.

South Africa Visa Photo Specifications

• Visa Photo Size: With: 35mm (3.5cm), Height: 45mm (4.5cm)
• Resolution (dpi): 600
• Image definition parameters: Head height; 34.5mm (including the hair), Distance from the top of the photo to the top of the hair: 3mm
• Photo colour: Must be in colour
• Glasses: You can use your daily reading glasses
• Headgear: No
• Facial Expression: Eyes open and Neutral expression only. (No frowning, no pouting, mouth closed, no smiling)
• Background: White Background
• Head size and position: The entire face should show and it should be centred
• Recency: 6 months
• Quantity needed: Two (2) passport photographs

South Africa Visa Photo Guidelines

It is imperative that the requirements above are followed. Furthermore,

• You should know that all the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) wants to see is a clear picture of your face
• Both passport photos should be printed on quality photographic paper with all copies being identical
• The photos should neither be creased nor damaged
• You are not allowed to cover your face for any reason. However, if your religion directs you to, you may cover your hair and your face, chin and the forehead should be clearly visible
• It is advised that you should be looking directly at the camera, no styles with a clear background

South Africa Visa Photo Specifications for Babies, Toddlers, Newborns

On the occasion that you are travelling with your baby, some set of requirements also needs to be followed:

• The background has to be white
• For a very young baby, you can lay him/her in their car seat baby seats then take the photo there
• Make sure the baby’s eye is open

Further Tips: Try to take as many photos as possible so you can have a lot of options to choose from.