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Guide

UK ETA photo rejected? What to check and how to fix it

As of November 3, 2026, a UK ETA face photo has to be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, saved as a JPG or JPEG between 50 KB and 6 MB, against a plain light-coloured background and not altered by software or filters. A photo that does not meet the rules can delay the application or get it rejected. SelfieToPassport turns a phone photo into a 1200 x 1500 pixel JPEG between 50 KB and 6 MB, with a free preview and $6.95 for the file.

Updated Rules checked against gov.ukHow we check

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The short version

  1. SelfieToPassport: a 1200 x 1500 px UK ETA JPEG from a phone photo, free preview, $6.95.
  2. Make the photo at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall.
  3. Save it as a JPG or JPEG between 50 KB and 6 MB.
  4. Use a plain light-coloured background that contrasts with your face.
  5. Take off glasses unless you have to wear them; never sunglasses or tinted lenses.
  6. No head covering unless it is for religious or medical reasons.
  7. Do not alter the photo with software or filters, and do not mirror it.

The file rules for the UK ETA photo

The application takes a photo you upload or one you take during the application; in the UK ETA app, you take it with the phone camera.

If you upload a file, check the minimum size and the file weight: a heavily compressed image can fall under 50 KB, and a photo straight from a phone can go over 6 MB.

The rules

  • The face photo for a UK ETA has to be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, in portrait orientation. gov.uk
  • The ETA face photo file is a JPG or JPEG between 50 KB and 6 MB. gov.uk
  • Every UK ETA application includes a photo of the face of the person applying, uploaded or taken during the application. gov.uk
  • In the UK ETA app, the applicant takes the face photo with the phone, including for a child they apply for. gov.uk

Background, glasses and head coverings

Stand in front of a plain light-coloured wall. Glasses come off unless you must wear them, and a head covering stays only for religious or medical reasons.

The rules

  • A plain light-coloured background, in clear contrast with the face, is required in the ETA photo. gov.uk
  • Glasses stay off in the ETA face photo unless they must be worn, and then never sunglasses or tinted lenses, with the eyes free of frames, glare and shadow. gov.uk
  • Head coverings are left out of the ETA photo unless worn for religious or medical reasons. gov.uk
  • The ETA face photo cannot be altered with software or filters, and it cannot be mirrored or flipped. gov.uk

Children, and what happens if the photo fails

The rules relax for young children. For everyone else, a photo that misses them can hold up or sink the application, so check it before you pay.

The rules

  • For children under 6, the UK rules relax the gaze and expression requirements, and babies under one can have their eyes closed. gov.uk
  • GOV.UK warns that an ETA application can be delayed or rejected when the face photo does not meet the rules for digital photos. gov.uk

How to fix the photo

SelfieToPassport crops and resizes the photo in your browser, without retouching the face, mirroring it or replacing the background, and shows the result in a free preview before you pay $6.95.

  1. Retake the photo against a plain light-coloured wall, glasses off, no hat.
  2. Crop it to a portrait, taller than wide, at least 600 x 750 pixels.
  3. Resize to 1200 x 1500 pixels and save as a JPEG.
  4. Check that the file is between 50 KB and 6 MB.
  5. Upload it again in the ETA application.

FAQ

What size is a UK ETA photo?

At least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, as a JPG or JPEG between 50 KB and 6 MB. Source: official page "Take a photo of your face for a visa application or permission", checked on Nov 3, 2026.

Can I wear glasses in my UK ETA photo?

Only if you have to. Then they cannot be sunglasses or tinted, and the frames, glare, reflection or shadow cannot cover your eyes. Source: official page "Take a photo of your face for a visa application or permission", checked on Nov 3, 2026.

Does a baby need open eyes in a UK ETA photo?

No. Children under one do not have to have their eyes open, and children under 6 do not have to look straight at the camera or keep a plain expression. Source: official page "Take a photo of your face for a visa application or permission", checked on Nov 3, 2026.

Where this information comes from

Every rule on this page comes from a page published by the U.S. Department of State and the companies named, read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.

Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.