I recently had a huge issues in getting an Electronic Travel Application (permit) for an upcoming trip to Australia. And I know that the same app (modified for countries) is used by a lot of countries in Europe, so maybe this will help. Cut to the chase, I was never able to get the downloaded ETA app to work. It kept hanging at the taking photo of my ugly mug, not accepting it. I was finally able to get the photo done by using a friend's brand new 2025 Samsung. (iPhone 13 Pro / iOS 18.5)
Posted by
West Coast
356 posts
:) I had the same problem with the UK ETA recently. Downloaded the app, all was fine until the photo (Pixel 8 phone). At age 70+ the repeated error message was that it was unacceptable. Studying the sample pics I wondered if my saggy baggy eyes were the issue if they looked closed?
Yup! I stood in brighter light and kept my eyes as wide open as possible. It worked! I look either terrified or insane, but...ok!
Thank you for your useful tip! Mine is likely less so, but you never know!
Posted by
West Michigan
464 posts
I'm sure it has nothing to do with the quality of the cellphone camera, either Android OR Iphone. It's about good lighting, and composition, and maybe size of the picture (how many pixels). I've taken photos for some military I.D. cards and there are strict requirements for the photos, size of photo, square or not, how many pixels, file size, red background, etc... People need to read all the requirements and comply.
Also, try it with or without the camera's "flash". Mostly I never use flash.
Posted by
11 posts
I have tried everything to get the picture to be captured.. Finally went to CVS and got a new passport photo and had it sent digitally to me and tried to use the app to capture the picture off of my computer. . My passport is 8 years old and the top half of my headshot in the passport sort of blends in the background, plus my eyes are extremely squinty., I don't know what the problem is. I am thinking about applying for a new passport early, but it says if I apply, the old passport will not be valid. Extremely frustrated. Trip is in 9 weeks. Don't know what to do. Any advice would be appreciated
Posted by
7 posts
I had a similar issue with the ETA app rejecting my photo—it kept saying the background wasn’t plain enough, even though it looked fine to me. What worked was switching to a white wall with natural light and using a higher-resolution selfie from another phone. Once I cropped it just right and reduced glare, the app finally accepted it. Super frustrating, but solvable.