If your photo won't upload to the UK ETA app or your photo keeps getting rejected, you're in the right place. We hear about this problem constantly.
At iVisa, we help thousands of travelers get their UK ETA approved every month, so we've seen every photo problem imaginable. We'll show you what's going wrong and how to fix it, whether you want to solve it yourself or let us handle it for you.
- Recommendations align with official UK requirements to ensure accuracy.
What are the official UK ETA photo requirements?
During the UK ETA application you must upload a photo with the following standards:
- In colour, in focus, and unedited (no filters/red eyes)
- Plain light-coloured (cream/light grey) background
- Natural even lighting without shadows
- Face camera directly, head and shoulders visible
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
- Headwear/glasses only for religious/medical reasons
- 600px by 750px, 50KB - 10MB file size in JPEG format
The UK system automatically checks the above, one discrepancy may lead to instant rejection.
iVisa guides you through taking photos with smartphone-friendly prompts, and checks it against UK biometric rules. We'll tell you exactly what to fix, no guessing.
How do I fix common UK ETA photo upload errors?
Most photo problems fall into two categories: technical file issues or photos that break the biometric rules. Let's tackle both, starting with the technical stuff that's usually easiest to fix.
UK ETA technical photo upload issues you can solve quickly
| Issue |
Fix |
How iVisa helps |
| **Wrong format (Apple’s HEIC/Live photos) |
Use JPEG |
iVisa auto converts to right format |
| File sizes over 10MB are auto-rejected |
Compress lightly without blurring |
iVisa fixes size for you |
| App freezes/glitches |
Cache overload or incompatible device/browser |
Clear cache or try Chrome /different device |
Use iVisa app that works anywhere |
| Network timeouts |
Unstable internet/VPN drops upload |
Ensure stable Wi-Fi, don’t use VPN |
iVisa bypasses these issues |
With iVisa you don’t have to think about these issues. We’ll check your photo and make sure it hits all the right requirements before submitting.
UK ETA photo issues that trigger rejections
These are the biometric problems—things about how you look in the photo or how it was taken. They're a bit trickier than technical issues but still fixable.
| Issue |
Fix |
How iVisa helps |
| Dark or obstructed background |
Plain, even, natural light |
iVisa edits dark/busy shots |
| Use of filters |
No filters or blur |
iVisa detects edits and fixes |
| Glasses |
Clear lenses, no glare/tint |
iVisa auto edits glare |
| Headwear |
No hats, coverings only if full face shows |
iVisa flags coverings and tips for retaking |
| Framing |
Head straight, full face, neutral |
iVisa checks framing and adjusts if needed |
The good news is that you can take a photo yourself using your phone, and iVisa helps you solve most issues during the process.
How to take the UK ETA photo yourself using a phone
You don’t have to use a professional service to take a UK-approved photo. Here's how to do it:
1. Setup: Go indoors and face a window. Stand about one arm's length from a plain, light-colored wall.
2. Position: Hold the phone at eye level, 45-60 cm from your face. Use your rear camera. If you can, prop your phone up and use the timer.
3. Position: Look straight at the camera, eyes open, mouth closed, with a neutral expression.
4. Clothing: Avoid uniforms, patterns, or anything obscuring your neck and shoulders. Remove glasses or make sure there's no glare.
Good lighting and framing solve about 90% of photo errors, and iVisa will make sure these issues are solved before submitting your UK ETA application.
How to take a UK ETA photo for children
Kids can be tricky! Older kids should stand about 45-60 cm from a wall, facing a window, just like adults. If it’s an infant, lay them on a plain white sheet on the floor or bed.
Make sure no hands, toys, or other objects are in the frame, just the child's face and shoulders.
iVisa provides special framing guidance for children's UK ETA photos. Parents often struggle with getting kids to stay still and look at the camera, so our tool has tips specifically for young travelers. This means you can correct problems before you ever submit anything.
How can iVisa help with photo errors in the UK ETA app?
Tried the official UK ETA app multiple times and keep hitting errors? It's worth using a service that can prevent the issues before they happen, by:
- Automatic formatting - Background optimization, auto-crop to the right proportions, and adjust exposure.
- Biometric compliance - Validates head size, eye position, facial symmetry, and expression.
- Format - HEIC-to-JPEG conversion and smart compression for iPhone users.
- Human review - Sometimes you need an actual person to look at edge cases.
iVisa’s automated system handles the technical stuff, while our team reviews photos that need a second look. You get specific retake instructions instead of vague error messages.
Real traveler experiences with iVisa
Sarah from Canada had her photo rejected three times by the UK app. Turns out her iPhone was automatically applying portrait mode, creating a subtle blur around her head that kept triggering rejections.
"I couldn't figure out what was wrong, the photos looked fine to me. iVisa caught the portrait mode issue immediately and walked me through taking a proper photo. Got my ETA approved the same day."
James from Australia struggled with the face scan feature on the UK app, which kept freezing mid-scan. After two days of trying, he switched to iVisa.
"The iVisa process didn't require face scanning at all. Just uploaded a photo, they checked it, and submitted my application. Honestly wish I'd started with them and avoided wasting my time!"
Maria from the US was traveling with her two young kids and couldn't get acceptable photos of them on the official app. The background was always wrong, or they'd move at the last second. iVisa's team provided her with specific tips for photographing children.
"The guidance was so clear and practical. We got all three ETAs approved within 24 hours."
Need the UK ETA quickly and can’t get past the photo uploading step? Use iVisa for a simplified UK ETA application.
FAQs: Solving UK ETAphoto issues
What are the official UK ETA photo requirements?
Your UK ETA photo must be in colour, sharp, and without filters. Use a plain light background with even natural lighting and no shadows. Face the camera directly with head and shoulders visible, eyes open, mouth closed, neutral expression. Headwear/glasses only for religious/medical reasons.
The file must be JPEG, 600×750 px, 50 KB–10 MB. iVisa checks these things automatically and will adjust it to UK ETA guidelines.
How do I fix common UK ETA photo upload errors?
Fix technical issues by uploading a JPEG, keeping size under 10 MB, clearing cache or switching to Chrome/device if the site glitches, and using stable Wi-Fi without a VPN.
Biometric issues can be easily solved with a plain light background, no filters/blur, glare-free clear glasses or remove them, no hats and full face visible, and straight, centered framing with a neutral expression.
iVisa guides you through taking a compliant photo, which you can do with your phone at home, no professional service required.
Can I use a selfie for my UK ETA photo?
Yes, a selfie is acceptable if it meets biometric and files standards: neutral expression, eyes open, no filters, plain light background, even lighting, and JPEG format.
Many phones add portrait blur or live effects that trigger rejections.
iVisa guides you through a clean capture and automatically correcting crop, exposure, and background. That way your selfie becomes a compliant ETA photo ready for upload.
What if the UK ETA site won’t accept my file type?
Some devices, such as Apple iPhones, save images as HEIC or with “Live Photo” data, which can fail on upload. Converting to JPEG and re‑uploading often solves the problem.
iVisa’s photo tool handles this conversion automatically, applies safe compression, and preserves sharp facial detail. Once processed, you can upload the new JPEG to the UK site or proceed with your application through iVisa to avoid further formatting issues.
Do glasses, hats, or head coverings cause rejections?
Glasses can be worn if there’s no glare, tint, or frame covering the eyes. However, it’s now allowed to wear sunglasses and tinted lenses.
Hats aren’t allowed, and head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical reasons if the full face is visible.
iVisa checks for glare, obstruction, and shadow patterns, prompting retakes when needed. This pre‑screening avoids common rejections that cause frustration or even missing your trip.
Are there specific size or resolution rules I must follow?
The UK system enforces minimum quality and proportion standards:
- Minimum 50KB and maximum 10MB
- JPEG format
- 650px wide and 700px tall
However, these requirements might change over time while the platform evolves.
Rather than guessing, let iVisa format your photo to UK‑style biometric dimensions and compress it within acceptable limits. iVisa’s output is tailored for ETA upload, so you don’t have to experiment with pixel sizes or file formats that might trigger technical errors.
I couldn’t upload my photo on the UK ETA app – can I use another service?
You can also apply through the official UK website instead of relying on the app. However, if you’d prefer to get an extra review of your application and bypass the photo step, iVisa offers assisted submission when the official tools error out.
iVisa guides you through taking a good photo and edit for size, format, and lighting, so you’ve got those covered. The expert team also flags any other issues and recommends on next steps, rather than a vague error message.
Can iVisa submit my entire UK ETA if my photo keeps failing?
*Yes!.* If repeated attempts on the official UK ETA portal aren’t working, iVisa can manage the full ETA process, including creating a compliant photo, checking your details, and submitting to UK authorities.
This service reduces errors across both the photo and application stages, as we don’t require you to scan your passport or do face verification. iVisa’s support team guides you step by step and monitors progress, helping you move from upload issues to a completed ETA efficiently.
Does the photo need to match my passport photo?
The photo for the UK ETA application can be different from your passport photo, especially if your passport photo does not comply with UK official standards, and it must be recent.
If you look very different from your passport (new beard, hairstyle, etc.), take a fresh, clear photo that reflects that.
The app camera step during the UK ETA application is freezing/crashing - what can I do?
Try these steps:
- Close the app completely and reopen
- Check app permissions: camera enabled
- Switch networks (Wi-Fi ↔ mobile data)
- Clear phone storage a bit if low
- If it still fails, apply online via the official UK website instead of the app or try a service like iVisa
I submitted the wrong photo. Can I change it?
If you notice before paying/submitting, go back and replace it.
After submission, you can’t edit an ETA application, the usual fix is to submit a new application with the correct photo.
iVisa will flag any inconsistencies, such as your photo being very different from your passport, before submitting, saving you an auto-rejection and having to pay new fees due to reapplication.
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