Passport Photo Rejected: Why & What to Do Now? (2025)
How to Fix a Photo Rejected by the Embassy
Quick overview and your 90-day window
If you received a notice from the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) that your passport application is on hold because of an invalid photo, you have 90 days to submit a corrected photo before the application is canceled, so act quickly to correct the issue .
Why photos are rejected (the common cause)
The most common reason for rejection is poor quality that prevents biometric facial recognition, but photos can also be rejected for many other technical or composition issues described below .
Size and head-dimension requirements — what to check first
US passport photos must be 2×2 inches with the head measuring 1–1⅜ inches from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin, and you must leave white spaces between your face and the image borders on both sides and at the top .
Practical tip: Stand at least 20 inches (50 cm) away from the camera when taking the photo, avoid zooming in when editing, and confirm the white margins remain visible before submitting .
Background requirements — plain and clean
The background must be plain white or off-white with no imperfections, shadows, visible seams, or fabric patterns—do not use a wrinkled sheet as that often creates unacceptable shadows or patterns .
Practical tip: If possible, take the photo in front of a white wall or use proper background removal software rather than quick free tools that blur edges around hair and the head .
Lighting and shadows — keep it even
Lighting must be even with true-to-life skin tones; no overexposure, underexposure, or shadows are allowed because shadows can invalidate the biometric data .
Practical tip: Take photos between 9 am and 1 pm in front of a window for natural, even light, or set up three light sources (one in front and two at ~45-degree angles) to eliminate shadows .
Facial expression — neutral or a natural smile
You should have a neutral expression with eyes open and mouth closed; a natural, subtle smile is allowed but exaggerated expressions risk rejection .
Practical tip: To be safest, keep a neutral expression; if you choose to smile, lift only the corners of your lips slightly for a natural look .
Positioning and framing — be centered and straight
Sit or stand straight and look directly at the camera with no head tilt; your face should be centered and occupy about 50–69% of the image height, and the top of your shoulders must be visible .
Practical tip: Use the camera’s grid or guidelines and review the crop to confirm your face fills the correct percentage and shoulders are included before finalizing the image .
Digital alterations — avoid any edits
Any digital alterations such as changing exposure, removing red-eye, enhancing appearance, or removing blemishes will result in rejection; minor professional edits should be avoided unless absolutely minimal and not changing identity features .
Practical tip: Use minimal makeup to feel confident and do not apply digital retouching—if a professional offers to “improve complexion,” verify they won’t alter identifying features or refuse the service .
Appearance rules — clothing, hair, headgear, glasses, makeup
Wear usual clothes in darker, plain colors (avoid white, camouflage, or uniforms); ensure hair does not cover the face, eyes, or eyebrows; religious head coverings are allowed only if the full face is visible; remove glasses unless you have a signed doctor’s statement; and keep makeup natural .
Practical tip: Choose darker, pattern-free clothing and style hair so eyebrows and eyes are clearly visible to meet the requirements .
Baby and child photos — common pitfalls
Child photos are rejected if the child laughs or cries, does not look at the camera, has eyes fully closed, holds objects (toys, pacifiers, blankets), or if a parent or hand is visible holding the child—newborns may have slightly closed eyes but still must face the camera .
Practical tip: Photograph a well-rested child, place them on a light-colored blanket on the floor, and ensure they are the sole subject with no hands or objects visible .
Alternate baby-photo tip from the FAQ
The FAQ suggests you can cover a car seat in a plain white or off-white sheet, place the baby in the car seat, and take the photo (the baby does not have to be awake), which can help keep the child still and produce an acceptable background .
What happens after rejection — deadlines and fees
If your passport photo is rejected you must submit a new compliant photo within 90 days or your application will be canceled and you will need to start over and repay fees, but you do not have to pay again if you provide a new compliant photo within the 90-day window .
Action steps to fix a rejected photo — a checklist
1) Retake the photo following the official size, background, lighting, expression, positioning, and appearance rules; 2) verify compliance with a professional service or AI-powered tool before submission; 3) submit the corrected photo within 90 days .
Using VisaSnap to verify and correct photos — practical workflow
VisaSnap lets you take or upload a photo, uses advanced AI to resize, crop, and remove the background, then has photography experts verify the result so you can download a compliant digital photo or order prints .
VisaSnap guarantee and time-saving option
VisaSnap promises a full 200% refund if the passport office rejects photos provided by them, and the service can save time by checking compliance before you submit a corrected photo to the passport office .
Final checklist before you resubmit
Confirm the photo is 2×2 inches, head size is 1–1⅜ inches, background is plain white/off-white without shadows, lighting is even, face is centered and 50–69% of image height, no digital edits, glasses removed (unless approved), and any head coverings allow full face visibility before submitting .
Final encouragement — don’t delay your resubmission
If your initial passport application photo was rejected, don’t panic—follow the guidelines above, verify compliance with a professional or AI tool, and resubmit a corrected photo within 90 days to avoid having to restart your application process