Holidaymakers are being warned that ‘glow up’ make-up routines could cause you real-life delays at border control this summer with airport security verification checks potentially affected
As peak travel season begins, passport-related searches are soaring, with many rushing to renew their documents in time for summer getaways. Fuelled by viral social media trends of users glamming up for their ID photos, Google searches for “passport application photo rules” have surged by 400% over the past year, while “best passport makeup” is up 200%.
While full glam may look great on TikTok, experts warn it could cause delays at airport security if your photo no longer matches your real-life appearance. To help travellers avoid passport rejections or extra checks, all-inclusive holiday provider Travel Republic has shared the essential dos and don’ts for passport photos this summer.
Beauty creator @jordynlyne recently went viral after sharing her ultra-glam passport makeover, complete with false lashes, contouring, and a bold lip, amassing over 2 million views. While the final image is undeniably striking, experts say it’s not ideal for an official ID.
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Across TikTok, users are turning the traditionally dreaded passport photo into something more akin to a photo shoot, with makeup tips, posing hacks, and ring lights replacing the usual bland ID process. But while these “glow up” passport photos may look great on social media, they could cause real-life delays at border control.
Commenters were quick to raise concerns, with one saying: “How is this even legal? How is someone supposed to identify you with that if you’re not wearing makeup?” Another added: “What if you went to the airport with no makeup? They wouldn’t let you through.”
And the concerns are valid – all-inclusive holiday experts at Travel Republic explain: “While there’s no specific rules around make-up, it’s important to remember that the reason for a passport photo is to provide a clear and accurate visual identification of you.
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“Most people do feel embarrassed by their ID images, however, they are a security measure to help prevent fraud, keep borders safe and ensure easy recognition of travellers’ identity. Therefore, if you overly enhance your look when taking your photo, you can actually slow down the process of verification checks at the airport because you look too different in person from the photo at hand.
“Minor changes in appearance, such as growing a beard, changing hairstyle, or slight weight fluctuations, typically don’t require a new passport. However, the government advises that should your appearance change, for example, if you have had major facial reconstruction or plastic surgery altering your core facial features, you will need to apply for a new passport.”
UK passport guidelines
The UK government website outlines specific criteria that all passport photos must adhere to:
- Must contain no other objects or people
- Must not have ‘red eye’
- Need to be taken facing forward and looking straight at the camera
- Must be taken against a plain light-coloured background
- Should be taken in clear contrast to the background
- Need to be taken with a plain expression and your mouth closed
- Need to be taken with no hair in front of your eyes
- Need to be taken with your eyes open and visible
- Need to be taken without head coverings (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)
- Need to be taken without anything covering your face
- Must not have any shadows on your face or behind you
- Must not include glasses unless you have to do so
- If you must wear glasses, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted glasses, and you must make sure your eyes are not covered by the frames or any glare, reflection or shadow