Passport photo for the ESTA application
Since May 2025, travellers must submit a digital passport photo for each ESTA application. Before, travellers didn't have to submit any documents with their ESTA application. Since November 2022, however, they need to submit a scan or photo of their passport . In this way, the US immigration service brings the application procedure in line with the procedure via the app. A passport photo or selfie has been mandatory via the app for some time now.
Passport photo requirements
There are no particularly strict requirements for the mandatory passport photo. It doesn't necessarily have to be taken by a professional photographer. A self-taken photo (selfie) is also accepted. However, the passport photo must meet the following requirements:
- The photo must be sharp and have a high resolution
- Only face and shoulders should be visible
- The background must be of a light, even colour
- You must look directly into the camera
- Sunglasses or headwear are not permitted
- The photo must be in colour.
- The photo should not be edited and no filters may be used
- Your facial expression must be neutral
Tip: It is advisable that you stand in front of a white or light-coloured wall, so there are no distracting objects in the background. It is not permitted to crop the photo from your passport and use it for the ESTA application. You must always submit a different photo.
Submit your passport photo digitally via esta-evisa.co.uk
If you apply for your ESTA via esta-evisa.co.uk, you can easily submit a scan of your passport and your passport photo online. After completing each ESTA application and paying the cost, you will be directed to a page where you can submit your digital photos and scans. You can submit the file in several formats, such as JPEG, PNG, BMP, etc. This can be done via a computer or laptop, as well as on a mobile phone. If you are uploading your files via a computer, you can select a file from a folder and upload it. On your mobile phone, you can select the photos from your gallery and upload them. I you have taken the photos with your mobile phone or camera, you can email the photos to yourself as an attachment and then save them on your computer.
What if you don't have the photos at the time of the application?
That's no problem. If you cannot submit the photos immediately, you will receive an email later with a reminder, and a link to upload the photos.
ESTA-eVisa.co.uk always checks the information and photos provided.
One of the advantages of applying via esta-evisa.co.uk is that the information, as well as the photos you submit are checked by a visa specialist. Mistakes in the application form or in the passport details will be corrected immediately. If the photos don't meet the requirements, you will receive a message asking you to submit new documents. In this way, your application will still be processed without any problems.
