UK Residence Card Photo

UK Residence Card Photo Guidelines

A UK residence card is documentation that works similarly to a Visa. It enables people to live and work in the UK, with a validity of up to five years. After the card expires, people are able to apply for permanent residency. To apply for a UK Residence Card, few things need to be done, starting with a photo.

Photo Requirements for UK Residence Card

Standard requirements for a UK Residence Card Photo are exactly the same as British Passport requirements. These requirements are essential as, without a correct picture, a residence card might be denied.

• Photo must be taken within one month of the residence card application
• Applicant must be visible from head to upper shoulders
• Background must be white or light grey
• Eyes must remain open for the duration of the picture
• No hair can obstruct an applicant's face.
• Applicant must face forward and look straight into a camera lens
• Neutral face expression is a must - no smiling or frowning 
• Mouth must remain closed, teeth cannot be shown
• No shadows, red-eye effects or face obstructions can be seen in a picture

Size & Format of UK Residence Card Photo

Size and format of the picture must follow a specific specification so the application is approved. Most of the 

• 45 mm (hight) x 35 mm (width)
• Photo must not a cropped
• Photo must be done in the form of a portrait
• Pictures must be printed in colour, on glossy or matt photographic paper.
• Photo must be undamaged, with no watermarks or ink marks/crinkles.

In regards to the quality of printed photos, they must be printed in a professional standard. Pictures must not be blurry, but focused and clearly show applicants' faces. They also cannot be altered by computer software, or any social media filters.

How to take a UK Residence Card photo at home? 

Innovative technology now allows individuals to take their official document photos at home. This can be done with their mobile device or a camera. A person must make sure they stand 40 cm away from the camera lens facing forward, with light flashing evenly on the face so a shadow is not created. After taking the picture, an online editing tool will enable individuals to edit their photograph in case it doesn’t follow the documentation guidelines.

Using a mobile app, however, is a more convenient way as everything is completed on a mobile device. The app is available for both iPhone and Android devices. Editing using apps tools permits photos to be checked in accordance to photo guidelines, edited with use of tools such as background removal, or cropping feature. Editor within the app also permits a picture to be retaken - giving tips on what to do or not do.

For digital photos, quality must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall. And be minimum 50KB and no more than 10MB.

Where to take a UK Residence Card Photo?

Due to complex specifications, taking a picture yourself might be difficult. Other options, apart from the app, for applicants to avoid any issues with a picture is to use photo booths or photography services, that are designed for official documents pictures to be taken. These services have high-quality cameras, appropriate backgrounds and specific photographic papers that pictures are printed on. Hence, the chances of rejection in such a case are non-existent

What to wear for a Residence Card Photograph?

Most common question asked in regards to official document photographs is what to wear. In this case rules about passport and Visa clothing also apply to Residence Card Photo clothing. Firstly, the most recent photo must be uploaded to reflect the applicant's latest appearance. What’s not accepted in a residence card photo is:

• Clothes should not be the same colour as the background
• Eyewear not be permitted unless it reflects daily wear. In this case, frames must not cover a person's eyes.
• Sunglasses are not allowed under any circumstance.
• Uniforms not accepted under any form (unless it’s caused by a religious belief)
• Headwear not allowed, the only exemption is a religious belief or medical condition.
• Bears is also acceptable if its part of a person’s identity
• Facial piercings (including nose studs, eyebrow or lip rings) are allowed in almost all cases for an official document unless it’s small and does not obstruct the picture. Anything that covers largely the outline of mouth, nose, cheekbones will be asked to be removed
• Permanent tattoos are also allowed.

For any drastic appearance changes, a new photo must be taken. This is when a person has lost or gained a lot of weight, removed or added a visible tattoo, had a facial surgery of any sort, changed a belief and started to wear a religious uniform, or changed their identity through gender transition.

Children Residence Card Photos

Application for children is a slightly different process. If a child's guardian has permanent residence status, their child is automatically a British citizen. In this case, children applications are only to be done for a passport. For a passport photo, what remains the same is that children have to be by their own in the picture, and are not allowed to be held by their parents. Toys or dummies are also not allowed to be present in the picture. For children under age of six, they don’t have to look into the camera's lens.

Most common mistakes when taking a UK Residence Card Photo?

Common mistakes are always caused when a person is uninformed. Some are simple whilst some are more complex. Therefore it should be mentioned that people should not: wear excessive amounts of makeup (that hides natural look), keep their sunglasses on, wear any headwear unless exempt, smiling or showing teeth, wearing clothing that is the same colour as a background, wearing a uniform, scarves or headbands.

Last update: 02/02/2023