Online passport renewal - photos - easy?

DullGreyGuy

With online applications the photo is assessed twice, once by an AI script when you upload it and then a second time by a person when they are dealing with the actual renewal.

The online review isnt definitive and it may reject an acceptable photo and say an unacceptable photo is ok. I do think that maybe the script struggles with non-white skin tones more as my photos were all deemed acceptable but the website rejected all of my wife's despite being taken under identical conditions. In the end we proceeded against the warning and the photo was accepted and passport issued with it. 

Certainly remember to turn off mirroring if doing it selfie style (advice that a lot of vloggers should take too!)

howryoo

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.

So there's a possibility that the photo may be accepted provisionally, but get rejected later?  If so, how many times do they let you re-attempt photo submissions?  I assume no charge?

Regarding the self photo, could you crop it yourself on a PC before submission?

DullGreyGuy

howryoo said:

So there's a possibility that the photo may be accepted provisionally, but get rejected later?  If so, how many times do they let you re-attempt photo submissions?  I assume no charge?

Regarding the self photo, could you crop it yourself on a PC before submission?

Yes, the website/app view of if the photo is acceptable or not is guidance only/ not binding. As I say, Mrs' was rejected by the website but was accepted by the person that processed the application later.

My understanding is that they give you a timeframe to submit a replacement picture in, as long as you submit in that timescale then there is no additional charge. If you let the timescale lapse then its new application/fee time. 

You can crop it on a PC or phone... just make sure you are hitting all the requirements and dont get tempted to photoshop the picture to remove a mole/scar etc!

Was going to say a few years ago, but clearly it was just over a decade ago, went to the HMPO in London for the next day service and there was one guy really struggling with the photos as they rejected the one he brought with him and saw him go over to the in office photobooth twice whilst they were reviewing my application. 

mr_stripey

I used a local photographer in town when I renewed the kids. She charged about £10 each, took the pictures and uploaded them there and then in the studio and I got the approved barcode thing. Went online and completed the application.

Probably not the cheapest method but saved a lot of hassle for me!

giraffe69

I did the same as the above post. It was all very easy and cost £12.75(£15 if I had wanted copies of the photos as well). The code/photo was accepted and I got my new passport in under two weeks(that was in early September).

eDicky

howryoo said:

Regarding the self photo, could you crop it yourself on a PC before submission?

I think there's an instruction not to crop it yourself, they will do it. Just follow whatever you're instructed during the online process.

Skiddaw1

DullGreyGuy said:

howryoo said:

So there's a possibility that the photo may be accepted provisionally, but get rejected later?  If so, how many times do they let you re-attempt photo submissions?  I assume no charge?

Regarding the self photo, could you crop it yourself on a PC before submission?

Yes, the website/app view of if the photo is acceptable or not is guidance only/ not binding. As I say, Mrs' was rejected by the website but was accepted by the person that processed the application later.

Snap! We've renewed on line a couple of times and both times at least one of our pics was rejected initially but accepted by whoever processed the application. The app kept rejecting mine on the basis my mouth was open (which it wasn't...)

howryoo

Thanks for further updates / experiences.

It'd be good to have it sorted all online etc as going to a booth etc may be inconvenient.

Doshwaster

I'm currently in Turkey going through the (stressful and expensive) process of applying for an emergency travel document after my passport vanished (No idea how. If was there then it wasn't) . In 30 years of regular travel this is the first time it has happened

My first attempt at uploading a selfie photo was rejected with no explanation why. More stress. Took another photo and got a confirmation with an hour that it had been accepted. Hurrah!

All I need to do now is a very expensive taxi trip to pick up the replacement from the nearest consulate. Then pay for a proper passport when I get home. 

jimi_man

I did it reasonably recently and did it on my iPhone (a 6S) and didn't experience any problems. In reference to the picture, I got my wife to take the picture against a white wall. It needs to be in daylight, otherwise artificial light tends to 'yellow' the image which will get rejected. Took five days to get it back.

I dd the same for my wife last year with the same result. It's very straightforward doing your own photo - there are free apps you can download that assist in taking a passport photo picture. 

Don't pay for a photo unless you enjoy burning money - it's a pointless waste of money (this is a money saving site after all!)