With holidays now back within reach after years of strict travel restrictions, many people are eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new passport.
The HM Passport Office (HMPO) currently reports a wait of up to 10 weeks for a passport. The now standard 10-week waiting time was implemented in April 2021 due to high demand for passports in anticipation of relaxed Covid-19 restrictions.
Demand also increased because people put off renewing during the initial 2020 lockdowns, according to HMPO.
READ MORE: Mum stranded in Liverpool 'with no coat' after losing son's passport on the way to Cuba
The ECHO has been inundated with concerns from holidaymakers in recent months, as many people have taken to "camping" outside Liverpool's Passport Office on Old Hall Street. And now an expert is warning people what not to do, ahead of sending off passport photos - to avoid making your waiting time even longer.
Eye makeup including winged eyeliner
Experts passport-photo.online say you should avoid winged eyeliner as it attempts to alter the shape of your eye, which make your eyes look unnatural. Glitter is also a no-no as it will "distort" how your eyes look and cause a "glare" in the photo.
Showing your teeth
A biometric photo is designed to make facial recognition easier. The facial recognition software reads your passport photo as well as scans your face at the airport, comparing the two based on very precise measurements of your facial features.
A smile, especially one where you show your teeth, can impair that recognition making it difficult for customs officers and facial recognition software to identify you based on your picture. This can translate to delays, missing your flight, or being declined to board a plane altogether.
Sunscreen
This may seem strange, however wearing sunscreen when you take your passport photo could also lead to delays at the passport office. As it’s a flash photograph, any shine on the skin will create too much reflection and will potentially distort the photo.
You should also avoid wet skin effect makeup or anything with a shimmer effect including highlighter. With a flash, these would create too much reflection. Even when the SPF is as low as 15, there is a risk it will create a white cast, making you look pale, as well as causing reflections. Avoid particularly light tones when choosing concealers and setting powders.
Facial piercings
The Passport Office will be willing to accept ear or facial piercings such as nose rings or lip rings, however there are limitations. Ear piercings need to be small and minimalist, as larger earrings may affect the picture by covering the side of your face, creating reflections or casting shadows.
Too many facial piercings may also change your face’s biometrics, which could cause problems when you come to have your passport checked at the border. The Passport Office, therefore, recommends that you remove as many of your piercings as you can before taking your photo.
Style your fringe
If you have a fringe when you take your passport photo, it’s likely to face rejection when you send it off as UK guidelines indicate that your hair should not obscure your face. The golden rule is to make sure make sure that your eyebrows are still visible in your photograph.
You should also tie back any long hair that may obscure your features, to ensure it doesn’t fall across your face. This will also eliminate the risk of shadows being cast on your photo, too.
Wearing glasses
When you are taking your new photo for your passport, you should only wear glasses if they are medically necessary, e.g., after surgery. Even then, you must check your photo once you’ve taken it to ensure that your glasses’ frames are not obscuring any part of your face, causing shadows, or creating reflections.
You should also avoid sunglasses and tinted glasses, as these will obscure your eyes entirely, resulting in your photo being rejected.
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