British embassies and consulates put out a plea for expats to send in the correct format photos - or face delays in getting their passports renewed.

5 July 2006

AMSTERDAM — British expats are facing delays to getting their passports renewed following a change in the rules for photographs.

And with a high percentage of applicants sending in unsuitable photographs, British embassies and consulates in Europe put out a plea this week for expats to send in the correct format photos - or face having to wait longer than the standard ten days for a passport renewal.

Most applications by British people living abroad for new passports are handled by the local embassy or consulate.

With the introduction of the new biometric passport system, which measures facial dimensions as part of the recorded identity details, photographs must now adhere to international standards.

British embassies and consulates say many expats are sending in photos that don't conform to these standards. This means many people are facing delays to their applications because the process cannot start until the correct photos are received.

To conform to these standards, your photo must show your full face, looking straight into the camera, have no shadows and be in sharp focus. You need a "natural expression" - meaning no smiling is allowed and your mouth must be closed. Your eyes must be open and clearly visible.

If you wear glasses, the frames should not cover your eyes and there should be no reflection from them. Heavy make-up should also be avoided as the biometric 'reader' gets confused about where the centre of the eyes is. Your face must be uncovered.

The "head-sizing" requirements have also changed: your head must appear between 27 and 32mm high for adult photos, and 21-32mm high for photos of children aged under 11. This is for standard photo sizes of 45x35mm.

The photos should also have strong definition between the face and background, and be printed at 1200 dpi resolution or better if they are digital or scanned photographs.

These standards affect nearly all EU passports, so citizens of other EU countries who live abroad and wish to get their passport renewed will need to conform to these photograph regulations too.

For more information, contact your local embassy or consulate:

Belgium: www.britishembassy.gov.uk
France: www.amb-grandebretagne.fr
Germany: www.britischebotschaft.de
The Netherlands: www.britain.nl
Spain: www.ukinspain.com

Or visit www.ukpa.gov.uk

Or call: +44 870 521 0410

[Copyright Expatica 2006]

Subject: British passports