The U.S. passport photo guidelines dictate the requirements of passport photos, including what to wear, how to face the camera, and whether you can wear eyewear. While these details may seem extensive, failing to meet them can result in rejection. When this happens, people often ask, “What happens if passport photo is rejected?” Let’s cover the repercussions and causes in detail.
What Happens If a Passport Photo Is Rejected?
When you submit a passport photo, the last thing you want is to get a rejection. However, it may surprise you that a rejected passport photo commonly affects many people. Whenever authorities encounter a non-compliant picture, they write to the passport applicant, stating why the picture is unacceptable and informing them that they must submit another picture.
Luckily, if your passport photo gets rejected, you can still get a passport by doing the following things:
- Read the official letter to assess why the rejected passport photo was not good enough for biometric data processing. With this knowledge, you can avoid making the same mistakes as before.
- Retake the passport photo, ensuring you meet all the U.S. passport photo guidelines. A passport photo is rejected whenever it falls short of one of the requirements. So, while your last rejected passport photo might be due to blurring, the next photo can fail to go through because of incorrect sizing. As you fix the mistake in the first photo, ensure you do not make others in the next picture.
You will have 90 days to send an updated passport photo to the passport office. If you do not send a compliant photo within this timeframe, you must start the passport application again, as the previous one will no longer be valid.
Do you want to avoid a rejected passport photo? Travel Visa Pro can help you with this. We understand why any passport photo gets rejected and will review your photo to ensure it meets all the guidelines. Moreover, we will have it ready in no time, allowing you to start your seamless passport application.
Main Reasons Why Passport Photos Get Rejected
When your passport photo gets rejected, the state passport officials write to you about the criteria it did not meet. But wouldn’t it be better to get ahead of the situation by understanding what can hinder a successful application? Below are the common reasons:
1. Incorrect Sizing
The U.S. passport photo guidelines dictate that all passports must meet all the sizing requirements below:
- The picture should measure two inches by two inches – any other sizes are unacceptable,
- Your head should be in the center and measure 25 mm to 35 mm between the top of the head and the tip of your chin. As such, it should not take up too much space nor be so small that it is barely visible.
- There should be space between your head and the top of the photo and its sides.
An excellent way to avoid sizing issues is to measure your head and the photo before submitting the picture.
2. Facial Expressions
The norm during photo sessions is smiling. As a result, many people find themselves posing for the camera when taking passport photos, which results in rejection. The premise of a passport photo is to capture your biometric details, and this requires you to abide by the requirements below:
- Your face should be neutral: You should not appear happy, worried or angry. Consider a situation where a blank look would be appropriate and use a similar expression.
- You should look straight into the camera: Your eyes are integral to biometric processing. So, you must ensure they are visible. Looking away, squinting, or changing the structure of your eyes in any way is not okay.
- Your posture should be straight: Since your head and neck are important in the biometric processing, they should be visible. Avoid slouching, tilting your head or neck, or lengthening your posture unnaturally.
To get posture and expression right, stand or sit up straight against the background, stare into the lens, and wear a vacant expression.
3. Poor Image Quality
A common reason a passport photo gets rejected is that the quality of the picture is so bad that biometric data processing is impossible. Consider the cases below:
- Physical damage: Submitting a picture with smudges, tears, holes, or other alterations is not okay. These changes affect the visibility of the picture.
- Enhancements: While filters may be okay in business and social media pictures, this does not sit well with passport officials. They will reject such pictures as they are not realistic representations of your actual features.
- Shadows: You cannot have shadows on your face, under your chin, on your neck, or in the background. While shadows cast by ears are okay, they should be minimal.
- Exposure: Dark photos are not acceptable. In the same light, overexposed photos are also subject to rejection as the extra lighting affects facial visibility.
- Non-neutral background: All passport photos must be taken against a plain, white background free of shadows and creases.
- Distracting accessories: Wearing jewelry and makeup is okay if they are not distracting. As such, the passport office will reject any pictures whose accessories are loud.
Moreover, people wearing headgear and eyewear without submitting letters stating the reasons for the same will face photo rejections.
Do You Have To Pay Again If a Passport Photo Is Rejected?
You get a 90-day window to submit a compliant photo when a passport photo is rejected. But do you have to pay again if passport photo is rejected? It depends on how fast you act. If you submit a photo within 90 days that meets the passport photo criteria, your initial passport application fee covers the change. Thus, no extra fees apply. But if your submission is after 90 days, your initial passport application will no longer be valid. As such, you must reapply for a passport, necessitating additional fees. The best way to avoid spending extra money is to submit a good photo the first time. If your passport photo is rejected, you should resubmit a compliant photo within 90 days of receiving the rejection letter.
Can You Change Your Passport Photo If It Gets Rejected?
My passport photo was rejected – can I change it? Yes! When passport officials reject your passport photo, they expect you to change it as it does not meet the standard requirements. Thus, this is an excellent time to take a photo you like. Remember that a full-validity passport lasts a decade! You can always contact our team for tips to take high-quality, acceptable passport photos highlighting your best features.
