Struggling to find the perfect outfit for your passport photo? Or maybe you’re just not sure what you’re allowed to wear? Don’t fret! We’ve got just the article for you. Following the official guidance is the best way to get an acceptable passport photo. So use this article to find out what to wear for a passport photo. Keep reading!
What to Wear for a Passport Photo for an Adult?
There are a few requirements when it comes to what to wear for a passport photo as an adult. We’ve also provided you with some guidance below that should help you in deciding your clothing choice when you take your passport photos.
What to Wear for a Passport Photo for an Adult
- You shouldn’t wear a uniform for your passport photo.
- It’s not permitted to wear jewellery in your passport photo.
- Ensure you are not wearing glasses in your passport photo.
- Any sort of head covering isn’t allowed.
- You can choose to wear plain clothing to help ensure the quality of your passport photo.
- You should wear what you normally wear in your passport photo.
- Try not to choose clothing that blends in with the background of the photo.
What to Wear for a Passport Photo for a Baby?
Whilst baby passport photos are a little simpler than adult passport photos, there are still requirements that need to be followed. Take a look at the guidance below to help you understand what is acceptable for a baby to wear in a passport photo.
What to Wear for a Passport Photo for a Baby
- Comfortable clothing for your baby can help with taking a photo more easily.
- Any sort of head covering isn’t allowed.
- You can choose to dress your baby in plain clothing to help ensure the quality of the passport photo.
- You should dress your baby in what you normally dress them in for the passport photo.
- Try not to choose clothing that blends in with the background of the photo.
What is the Best Colour to Wear for Passport Photos?
There’s no one colour that is required for passport photos, however, there are a few colours that will make your passport photo more likely to be accepted, as well as colours that aren’t acceptable.
The Best Colour to Wear for Passport Photos
- Solid Colours: Wearing colours that are patterned can be a distraction, so it’s best to wear plain colours that will not interfere with the purpose of the passport photo, which is identification.
- Dark Colours: Wearing darker colours is recommended as the background of your passport photo should be a pale colour. Dark colours will contrast with a white or pale neutral background, ensuring a good-quality passport photo.
- Reflective or other materials: Things like camouflage and reflective or metallic materials are not suitable for wearing in a passport photo. So make sure they’re not part of your passport photo outfit!
Can you Smile in a Passport Photo?
Whilst you may want to project that you’re a happy person, it’s generally not allowed to smile for a passport photo. In fact, you should keep a neutral expression in your passport photo. When you are presenting your passport photo to a border guard or other official, their main priority is to identify your resting neutral face. This is why you need a neutral face in your passport photo.
What is Not Allowed in a Passport Photo?
Passport photos are quite strict when it comes to what you can and can’t do. So make sure you follow the requirements to get the best result for your photo and passport application. Take a look at some of the things that are not allowed in a passport photo below.
What is Not Allowed in a Passport Photo
- No deep shadows or glaring lights should obscure your face
- Head coverings and hats are forbidden except for medical or religious reasons
- If you are eligible to wear a head covering, it should not obscure your face
- Jewellery is not allowed to be worn
- Avoid wearing uniforms or colours that match the background colour
- You shouldn’t alter your photo cosmetically (colour filters, red eye fixing etc.)
What is Allowed for Passport Photo Hair?
When thinking about your hair and taking your passport photo, you should consider a few tips to make sure your photo is acceptable. Take a look below.
What is Allowed for Passport Photo Hair
- Your hair should be in the style that you normally have it
- Your hair shouldn’t hide any part of your face
- Your ears should be able to be seen in front of your hair.
Summary
Yes, there are lots of requirements for passport photos, however, it’s easy enough to get them right when you’ve got the correct guidance. Generally, if you wear neutral-coloured, plain clothing that you normally wear, you should be ok. If you’re still not sure that your photo is good enough, there’s a solution.
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