UK ETA Photo Requirements 2025
Quick Summary
- You must upload two photos for your UK ETA application: a photo of your passport’s data page and a recent face photo.
- Both must meet the official digital photo requirements issued by the UK government.
- Incorrect or unclear photos can cause delays or rejection of your ETA application.
- Passport data page photo must show all 4 corners, the MRZ, your details, and be in colour.
- Face photo must be recent (within 3 months), clear, with a light background, and no filters.
- Both photos must be JPG/JPEG, 50KB–6MB, minimum 600×750 pixels.
Introduction
When applying for the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK ETA), one of the most important steps is providing two digital photos:
1. A photo of your physical passport
2. A photo of your face to confirm your identity
If either photo does not meet the UK Government’s official standards, your application can be delayed, flagged, or rejected.
This guide explains the exact confirmed UK ETA photo requirements based directly on the instructions shown inside the official application system—so you’ll know precisely what is accepted.
Photo of Your Passport’s Data Page: Official Requirements
You must upload or take a photo of the physical passport you will use to travel to the UK.
Your ETA will be electronically linked to this passport.
Your photo must show all of the following:
- all 4 corners of the passport personal details page
- your personal details
- the photo of you
- the machine-readable zone (MRZ)
MRZ = the 2–3 lines of letters, numbers, and symbols at the bottom of the passport data page.
The photo must be:
- original (not a screenshot, not a photocopy)
- a photo of a physical passport (digital passports are NOT accepted)
- unaltered (no filters or effects)
- horizontal (landscape)
- in colour
- saved as a JPG/JPEG
Quality and clarity rules
The passport photo must be:
- clear
- in focus
- free from glare
- free from reflections
Digital file requirements
- minimum 600 × 750 px
- size > 50 KB
- size < 6 MB
If your upload does not meet these numbers, the system will reject it.
UK ETA Face Photo Requirements
You must provide a recent photo of your face to verify your identity.
This step may involve uploading a photo or using your device camera to scan your face in real time.
Background and environment
- plain, light-coloured background
- no objects or people behind you
- your head, shoulders, and upper body must be visible
Lighting
- even lighting
- no shadows
- no glare on your face
- no shadows behind you
Face visibility
You must NOT:
- cover your face or eyes
- wear a head covering (unless for religious or medical reasons)
- wear glasses with glare or tinted lenses
If your glasses cause reflection → remove them.
Photo quality and file rules
The face photo must be:
- different from the photo inside your passport
- recent (taken within the last 3 months)
- vertical (portrait)
- free from filters, effects, retouching
- not a photo of another photo
- JPG/JPEG format
- minimum 600 × 750 px
- size between 50KB and 6MB
Common Mistakes That Lead to Delays or Rejections
Avoid the following:
Passport data page photo mistakes:
uploading a photo of a digital passport
not showing all 4 corners
glare on the passport page
photo not in landscape orientation
uploading a screenshot or photocopy
blurry or cropped photos
Face photo mistakes:
background not light/plain
shadows on your face
filters, enhancements, or beauty effects
wearing glasses with glare
old photo (older than 3 months)
uploading the same photo that appears in your passport
Important Note About the UK ETA Mobile App
If you apply via the official UK ETA app, the process may include:
scanning your passport’s chip using NFC
a live face scan (camera-based biometric check)
However, the photo requirements remain exactly the same — file format, lighting, background, size, and clarity do not change.
FAQ: UK ETA Photo Requirements (2025)
The UK ETA system only accepts JPG or JPEG files for both the passport data page image and the face photo.
No. You must upload a photo of a physical passport.
Yes — as long as your face is fully visible.
No. It must be different and recent (3 months maximum).
Yes — unclear, shadowed, or incorrect photos may result in delays or rejection.
Conclusion
Providing correct, high-quality photos is essential for a smooth UK ETA application.
By ensuring your passport data page photo and face photo meet official requirements, you reduce the risk of delays or rejection.
If you follow the rules in this guide, your ETA application is much more likely to be processed quickly and without issues.
