CropPass
UK · 35×45 mm · 413×531 px · Head 64–76%

UK ETA photo for online applications: a JPEG of at least 600×750 px

If you apply for a UK electronic travel authorisation (ETA) on the GOV.UK website rather than the UK ETA app, you upload a photo of your face as well as a photo of your passport. The face photo follows the UKVI rules for digital photos: a portrait JPEG of at least 600×750 px between 50 KB and 6 MB, showing your head, shoulders and upper body. CropPass keeps your whole photo, resizes it to about 1500 px tall and checks your face before you upload it.

UK ETA photo (online application): photo requirements
SizeAt least 600×750 px · CropPass keeps the whole photo, about 1500 px tall
ShapeNot cropped: your photo keeps its own shape
File size50 KB–6 MB
FormatJPEG (jpg or jpeg, vertically orientated)
FramingHead, shoulders and upper body · CropPass keeps the whole photo
BackgroundPlain and light-coloured, in clear contrast to you, with no shadows
Digital editingNot allowed · CropPass only resizes

Last verified 16 October 2026 against the source: gov.uk ↗

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Head 64–76% of frame height. 35×45 mm, 413×531 px, off-white background.

Official requirements ↗

How to make your UK ETA photo

  1. Take or choose a photo. Face the camera in even light, against a wall that fits the background rule: plain and light-coloured, in clear contrast to you, with no shadows. Upload it as a JPEG, PNG or HEIC file; it stays on your device.
  2. Check the framing. CropPass keeps the whole photo, because it must show your head, shoulders and upper body. Check that they are all in the photo, hold the camera upright, and read the face checks under it.
  3. Download the file. In the download step, check that "UK ETA photo (online application)" is selected and click "Download UK ETA photo (online application)". CropPass resizes the whole photo to about 1500 px tall and encodes a JPEG (50 KB–6 MB) and shows its final size, ready to upload. The preview is free; downloading needs a pass.

Questions and answers

Do I need a photo if I apply on the UK ETA app?

No file is needed there. The app uses your phone’s camera to scan your passport and your face. You only upload a face photo when you apply online on GOV.UK, for example because you cannot install the app.

Is the face photo the same as the photo of my passport?

No. Online you upload two different images: a photo of your passport, and a new photo of your face. The face photo must not be the picture printed in your passport and must not be a scan or photo of another photo.

How do I apply for my child or someone who is not with me?

You can use the app for someone only if they are with you. If they are not, GOV.UK says you must apply for their ETA online, with a photo of their passport and a photo of their face that follows the same rules.

What happens if my ETA photo does not meet the rules?

GOV.UK warns the application may be delayed or rejected. A decision usually comes within a day and can take up to 3 working days, and if it is rejected you have to apply again and pay the £20 fee again.

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