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Thread ID: 129631	2013-03-03 20:28:00	Renewing passport online: what they don't tell you	BBCmicro (15761)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1331074	2013-03-03 20:28:00	Their requirements regarding the submission of a digital photo seem to be about conforming to petty rules (aspect ratio, etc etc). But the real requirement is that the photo be an accurate picture of 'you' in your own interest. In my case, I completed most of the form in about 2 minutes but was stumped by the requirement for a photo. I thought about going into town and getting it done professionally, but wanted to get the process over and done with on the spot. So I used my pocket camera at arms length (24mm equ), cropped it in Photoshop and removed the shadows, and to my surprise it was accepted. I thought I was being clever but a few days later I realised that they don't really care if the photo is accurate (in my case, it is distorted by the close distance), but accuracy is important in my interest. The website should say something like this: "A photo that matches the way you present yourself to the Entry Camera will speed your entry. If the way you look does not match the online photo, as determined by the Camera or by the Immigration Official, you might be subjected to significant delay or, in an extreme case, refused entry. Therefore it is in your own interest to submit an accurate photo." (I still think their rules are petty. My first photo was rejected because although I had the right aspect ratio and linear pixels the total pixels was too small. Since I had thrown away the psd file, I just doubled the pixels in both directions on the photo I had already submitted, and that was OK! I guess they liked the increased accuracy ;) )	BBCmicro (15761)
1331075	2013-03-03 20:48:00	I also was a little frustrated by the photo requirements. I had a good photographer at work take a photo and tried to submit it. I don't think they specified the photo specifications on the form. First time, I needed a larger file. Mine was 450kb, they needed over 500kb. So I resized the photo and that was accepted (obviously no improvement in quality doing this but resulted in a larger file size). Next I had to adjust the ratio of height and length when it was again not accepted. Easily done but it would have been easier to know this beforehand. Finally an accepted photo! Passport was sent a couple of days later which impressed me. I wouldn't have been impressed had I paid extra for a faster renewal though.	user (1404)
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