Why passport photos get rejected: the official reasons
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The reasons passport and visa photos are refused, taken from the U.S. DS-11 form, the DV instructions, GOV.UK, the Netherlands and Hong Kong.
The maker crops and scales your photo to the official head size, checks the background and tilt, and lets you download only when every check passes.
Reasons most countries share
- Too old. The U.S. passport and DV photos must be taken within the last six months; the Netherlands also allows six months; GOV.UK asks for a photo taken in the last month.
- Wrong head size. Every country sets a chin-to-top-of-head range, and they differ (see the size chart).
- Background. The U.S. asks for plain white or off-white, GOV.UK for plain cream or light grey on printed photos, the Netherlands for light grey, light blue or white without a gradient, Hong Kong for plain white.
- Shadows. GOV.UK: no shadows on your face or behind you. Hong Kong lists “with shadow” as a reason for refusal; the Netherlands asks for even light with no shadow on the face or background.
- Glasses. Not allowed in U.S. passport photos unless a doctor's statement explains why, and never in DV photos. GOV.UK allows them only if you have to wear them, with no tint, glare or frames over the eyes.
- Expression and pose. Facing the camera with a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, no hair over the eyes.
- Edited photos. GOV.UK: “unaltered by computer software”. The Netherlands: not edited. The DV instructions: a manipulated photo may make you ineligible.
Country-specific reasons
- United States (DS-11): no uniforms, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage; head coverings only with a signed religious or medical statement.
- United Kingdom: two identical printed photos, 45 × 35 mm, not cut down from a larger picture, printed to a professional standard with no creases, and not attached to the form. GOV.UK says booth or shop photos are more likely to be approved than ones taken on your own device.
- Hong Kong: refused if not centred, wearing a frame across the eyes, hair across the eyes or eyebrows, flash reflection on the face or glasses, too light or too dark; paper photos must not be folded, stapled or written on.
- Netherlands: black-and-white photos, copies and damaged photos are not accepted; the face must be 16–20 mm wide; caps are not allowed.
Which of these the maker checks
The maker measures the head and places it inside the official range, checks that the background is plain and light enough, and checks tilt. It does not judge expression, glasses, shadows or how recent the photo is — those are listed for you to check before you download. It never edits the background or your face, because several countries refuse edited photos. The UK photo is not offered for that reason.
Sources: eforms.state.gov · www.federalregister.gov · www.gov.uk · www.gov.uk · www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl · www.immd.gov.hk