Seeing as you’ll have it for many years, you want to look your best in your passport photograph. But can you smile in a passport photo? Your best, winning grin will probably not get approved, so it’s worth checking the guidelines of the country where you’re applying.
At Remitly, we want to simplify travel. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you understand the different requirements of major countries and why passport rules have changed over time. We’ll also give you practical tips for getting your passport photo right the first time.
Passport rules by country
Every country has its own rules when it comes to passports. And not all of them agree on the answer to the question: Can you smile in a passport photo? Let’s take a look at some examples from major countries.
United States (US) requirements
The guidelines for passport photos in the US are clear: You need to keep a neutral expression. Does this mean you’re not allowed to smile? Not necessarily.
The US government states that it’s OK to smile in your passport photo, but it needs to be neutral, with a closed mouth and clearly open eyes. So, a slight smile—if you want to—will work. But defining a “slight smile” isn’t exactly easy, so if you’re unsure, it’s best not to smile at all.
United Kingdom (UK) guidelines
In the UK, the rules are a little different compared to the US. While both countries require a neutral expression, the UK does not allow smiling at all in its passport photos.
The UK government website indicates the following passport photo rules:
- No smile. This is a strict requirement, and there’s no wiggle room here.
- A good likeness of you, taken within the past month.
- Eyes must be open, mouth should be closed, and your entire face must be in the picture.
- No glare from glasses.
- No headwear, unless for medical or religious reasons.
- Nothing covering your face (such as hair or headwear).
You might be wondering if passport rules have changed post-Brexit. But, no, don’t worry—the regulations have stayed the same.
European Union (EU) standards
EU passports from all 27 member countries largely share the same requirements. These include a neutral expression (that means no smiling) and a closed mouth. Make sure not to tilt your head, and face the camera directly.
However, while the specifications are, for the most part, standardized, some countries have a little variation, for example when it comes to background color, digital image sizes, and other regulations. It’s worth checking your government website for up-to-date rules for your specific country.
Canada
When it comes to other major countries, Canada follows the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommendations, including:
- A neutral expression.
- Eyes open and mouth closed.
- No smiling or frowning.
Australia
Australia has similar rules to most other countries we’ve listed, such as:
- A neutral expression.
- Eyes open and mouth closed.
- Interestingly, no glasses are permitted at all, unless they can’t be removed for medical reasons (vision impairment is not a good enough reason to keep them on).
Japan
Another country that is strict about its passport photo requirements, Japan specifies:
- Neutral expression with mouth closed.
- There must be no eyeglasses under any conditions.
- No uniforms.
- A white background.
Why passport photos require neutral expressions
Now we’ve looked at the requirements in different countries, you might be wondering why this rule on neutral expressions exists in the first place. It’s a bit complicated, but let’s go into the reasons below.
Security and identification technology
The neutral expression rule is to do with facial recognition software at entry points, like airports. Border control checkpoints use this cutting-edge software, but the technology isn’t quite as good at detecting different human expressions as we are (we can generally recognise someone regardless of their facial expression). So we need to make it easy for the machines to be accurate when scanning.
Not to get too technical, but the software measures features like the distance between your eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, along with other factors. Smiling in a photo can change these distances and alter facial geometry, which is why a neutral expression is your best bet.
Also worth noting is that modern passports are enabled with biometric technology, known as e-passports. They have an electronic microchip in them that stores your unique biometric data. It works like this: The scanner at border control makes a secure connection with the chip, reads the data on it, compares this to your face using a facial scan, and verifies the chip’s authenticity.
Airports are busy places, and officials need the tech to keep things moving as quickly as possible while still maintaining security.
International standards
ICAO guidelines state that all passport photos must follow a set of rules for biometric scanners at borders to work. These include:
- Photos must be no older than six months.
- They must be clear and front-facing, with head and shoulders visible.
- Individuals must have a neutral expression with open eyes and a closed mouth.
- Backgrounds must be plain and light-colored with uniform lighting.
- Shadows and red eyes are not accepted.
- The face must occupy 70%-80% of the photograph.
This might seem strict, but it helps keep things moving smoothly. Because most entry points use the same software and technology, these rules help to prevent fraud globally. If the rules were different for every country, software and technology wouldn’t be able to keep up.
For this to work effectively, machine-readable travel documents (MRTDs) like passports and visas, must have the necessary data on them. You can easily tell if your documents are MRTDs—they’ll have a special symbol printed on the cover or inside to show that they have a chip in them.
Common passport photo expression mistakes
Getting a new passport photo can be daunting, as mistakes can lead to unnecessary delays. Below we set out common mistakes, so you have the best chance of getting your photo right first time.
What counts as smiling
Depending on the country where you’re applying for your passport, you will probably need to keep a neutral and non-smiling expression on your face.
The main thing to remember is that your face should look natural, without any expression. If your lips naturally turn up, for example, don’t turn them down to avoid looking like you’re smiling. The best advice we can give you is to try to relax the muscles in your face when taking your picture.
Even though in the US a small smile is allowed, the reality is that the country also follows the ICAO rules, and a smile—even the slightest one—can cause issues with the software’s ability to recognize your face. So it might be best not to smile at all.
If you’re unsure whether your photo will be accepted, view these photos on the US government website. This applies to US passport photos, but can be used as a good guideline for most countries’ requirements.
Other expression-related errors
It’s not just smiling that’s forbidden in passport photos; squinting your eyes, frowning, and raising your eyebrows are also not allowed.
But why should your mouth be closed and your teeth not visible? Because the facial recognition software uses precise measurements to scan your features and measure the distance between them and their angles. If your mouth is open, it interferes with the tech’s ability to work properly.
And it’s not just that: Shadows caused by non-neutral facial expressions can also interfere with the facial recognition software, because they can mask key features and change the way certain areas look, such as by making false contours.
Tips for taking compliant passport photos
Preparing for your photo session
It might sound a little funny, but practicing a neutral expression in the mirror can help you to prepare for your passport photograph. Also, try relaxing all the muscles in your face before the picture is taken. If you struggle to do this, first try scrunching them up, then relaxing them.
Lastly, ensure your head is directly facing the camera and you make eye contact with the lens. No tilting or looking side-on.
Professional vs. DIY photo options
So, the question is: Do you take your own passport photos, or do you have a professional do it for you?
The convenience of taking your own can’t be denied; smartphones generally have excellent cameras, and you can get near-professional quality with them.
The problem comes in when ensuring the proportions of the picture are correct. There’s more to clear passport photos than having a neutral face. You need to make sure that the top of your head and the bottom of your chin are a certain distance from the edges of the picture, among other considerations. Professional passport photo services understand all the rules and take pictures daily, so they know exactly how your photo should appear.
Having said that, if you want to take your own photos, most government websites have clear instructions on how to take the pics, so it’s a matter of following those to the letter.
Just don’t use any editing software—this is a big no-no for all the countries we’ve mentioned, so no fancy filters or enhancing features. Some countries won’t even allow you to crop the photo, insisting instead on doing this internally if necessary.
What to do if your photo gets rejected
Passport photo rejections can be disappointing, as you’ll need to resubmit another photo that complies with the rules and regulations.
Some countries, like the US, give you a grace period to rectify the problem and resubmit (90 days in this case) without charging you additional fees. Others, like a Canadian passport, will return your entire application to you, and you’ll need to resubmit with new photos all over again. This unfortunately means you’ll need to pay the application fee again, which will affect how long it takes to get a passport.
Usually, if your photo is rejected, the issuing authority will tell you why, so we recommend you take their feedback seriously and rectify the problems. In addition, check the government website for tips and examples of what a good photo looks like versus an incorrect one.
Get your passport photo right the first time
Most countries in the world prohibit smiling, frowning, or any other facial expressions that aren’t neutral in passport photos. Although the US is one exception to this rule, we recommend you act cautiously if you plan to smile in your US passport photo, as only a slight or small smile is allowed.
Understanding the rules of each country’s passport photo requirements (usually found on official government websites) is crucial to avoid delays and additional costs associated with resubmitting your application. Check these requirements before taking your photo so you aren’t stuck with a rejected application.
After all, you’ve worked so hard to make sure your paperwork is in order—it’s worth putting the same care into your passport photo.
FAQs
Can you smile in a passport photo?
Most countries do not allow smiling in your passport photograph, so it’s best to avoid doing it.
What happens if I smile in my passport photo?
If you smile in your passport photo, it will most likely be rejected and you’ll need to resubmit your photograph. In some circumstances, you may need to completely restart your application and pay the associated fees again.
Why can’t you smile in passport photos?
Biometric scanning technology at borders can have a hard time recognizing features when they’re distorted by non-neutral facial expressions, like smiling, frowning, and eyebrow-raising.
Are there any countries that allow smiling in passport photos?
Yes, the US allows slight smiling in photographs, as long as your expression is still neutral, your eyes are open, and your mouth is closed.
How neutral does my expression need to be?
As neutral as possible. The best way to achieve this is to relax all the muscles in your face. If your mouth naturally curves upwards, that’s fine—as long as you look as much like your usual self as possible.