Visa appointment date may be up to six months before the visa start date
Many people have their photo rejected on the day. Frequently this is because they have made one or more of the errors listed below. Check the DOs and DON'TS when planning your photos.
New 12/12/24Use photos that have been taken within the previous 6 months. In 2024 photos are being rejected as appearing to be too old. To avoid this wear different clothing to your passport photo, and, if applicable, don’t use the passport photo you’ve just had taken to renew your passport.
Use a photo-booth whenever possible because the automated process will detect/prevent many issues that might otherwise cause TLS to reject your photo.
Choose the UK Passport Driving License format (NOT visa format); this ensures that the correct size of the head in the photo
If you have a low fringe close to your eyebrows DO consider sweeping your hair back to show more of your forehead
The French Consulate has advised TLS that the ears must be visible as well as the forehead, so all women including Muslims must remove their headscarves (February 2025)
Read and avoid the DON'Ts below
Wear a polo-neck of similar garment that hides your neck
Wear a light coloured or white top which results in minimal contrast to the background of the photo
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Wear glasses
Wear large earrings
Allow your hair to obscure ANY part of your eye or eyebrow
Have your eyes shut or mouth open
Tilt your head
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Cut out the photos from their background because TLS use a cutter that trims the photos to the exact size they require and cuts rounded corners
Stick the photo to a piece of paper as TLS stick the photos to their own piece of paper
Having photos rejected on the day can add hours to your appointment during busy times and at least 40 minutes at good times
So double check your photos against the the DO and DO NOTS.
If you think the photos are wrong then get new ones before attending the appointment, you could get them earlier on the day
The options for replacement photos vary by TLS centre.
Updated 04/02/25