We're trying to apply for ETA using the UK.gov app and are having trouble taking a photo they like. Do they want a photo from the waist up? Shoulders up? Something else? My husband says maybe they just don't like him and think he looks like persona non grata.
Any suggestions will be much appreciated.
thanks!
kfarnell
Use the app rather than the website - they seem happier with a photo directly from your phone.
If you will look at the website linked above, it shows a silhouette of a head with shoulders and I'm pretty sure that's what they want. That's what I took and mine was accepted right away. They want it to look similar to your passport and that's what the passport photo looks like.
If it's being rejected, there's probably either glare or too many shadows in it, or it's too small or too big. Recently I had to take a new passport photo as I was renewing mine and I followed the instructions that they gave me and it worked. Here's basically what they wanted:
To take a passport photo, you must have a neutral expression, face forward with your eyes open and no glasses, and stand against a plain white background with direct lighting that avoids shadows. It doesn't have to be plain white but it should be as close to that as possible. Mine was a very pale gray and it worked.
Think passport type photo. When we had trouble with my ETA photo it was because I left my glasses on. Once I took them off, there wasn’t an issue.
We did the one for the UK, and just recently we had to do similar for Australia. The Australia one also had a phone app. There was a video which I skipped, and then went back to it, when we were unsuccessful. The video tips were helpful. They wanted the phone to be at eye level which caused me to look up a bit, which resulted in my eyes looking a bit closed. I made an effort to widen my eyes and that seemed to be key. I also switched walls. The paint was the same color (pale gray) but the lighting probably different in terms of any shadows. I immediately got an acceptable photo. Probably the worst photo in my life, but it was accepted.
Our passports are on the older side and we were worried for a while that we needed new passports. That would have been a problem since we leave in 40 or so days. Another good reason to do these VISA type things earlier than waiting to the last moment.
2 things I found helpful after having issues with the photo, and the app:
A small light behind me pointed up took care of shadows behind me, and
I took the photo with my phone, then accessed the website ON my phone and did not have the problems I had using the app.
Just a note the website linked above with photo guidelines is NOT the official ETA website. You can use it to apply but you will pay more.
Are you trying to take the photo as you go through the application process? If so you might first want to take a few photos on your phone, then start the application and upload the photo when you get to that point. Delete any that have been rejected already so you don't accidently try those. As noted, very good lighting, a neutral background, straight on eyes to camera, and looks similar to your passport photo should improve your chances.
If none of that works, save the photos on your computer and use the web form to apply, it's the green button halfway down this page: https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply - keep clicking "I can't use the app" choice until it lets you apply online.
