I’ve just submitted a selfie for my passport photo…

[Darkroot]

And now I’ve just read that selfies shouldn’t be used 🤔
Will my application be rejected? It was an online renewal and I took a very unattractive, run of the mill photo with a light background in natural light. But I used the iPhone selfie camera!
Has anyone done it this way and it turned out to be ok?

I have unwittingly done the same thing. Sent a selfie for my passport picture, even though I'd read selfie shouldn't be used. It was only after I'd sent the application that I realised. As I have a small mole on my face I contacted the passport office amd was told (by a very unhelpful woman I might add), that my application had been accepted and my passport would be sent out shortly. I asked if the fact my mole would appear on the wrong side of my face would create an issue, and she just said "I advise checking with the airport" 🤦🏻‍♀️ Has anyone else had this issue and encountered any problems? I fly in June and I'm worried even if I renewed with another photo, it wouldn't be back in time.

Yes, if your selfie is a mirror image, it will definitely cause problems (unless you have an incredibly symmetrical face!)

The automated machines use tiny measurements eg distance from the corner of your eye to the corner of your mouth, and then compare the photo on your passport to the face in front of it.

These measurements are different on each side of your face so you'll look like a different person to the machine.

If it "rejects" you, it just calls an assistant over, who will hopefully be able to tell its really you and will override the machine. So, yes, it'll cause problems and slow things down, but hopefully won't be a problem overall. Just make sure you leave more time to get through passport control!

I did a selfie but then flipped the image on my phone, so it wasn't a reverse image (one eyebrow is defo higher than the other, so not symmetrical).

That was fine and passport arrived a week later.

Thanks. Pls could you let me know if there was any incident due to mole displayed on the other side of the selfie photo, which caused any challenges in the airport immigration checks/ gates?

Thanks. Hope your travel wasn't interrupted and all went well. Pls could you share your experience.
Also I am not sure if you have same issue where the mole/scar is displayed on the other side of the selfie photo. Any info on this will be helpful.

Is this in theory or has anyone experienced this where they were able to still travel pls?

Only after receiving the UK passport (2024) realised that the front camera was used for the photo (selfie/ mirror image), hence the moles/ scars were displaying on the opposite side. Now more worried if this will cause issues in immigration gates, etc as it's said that there will be strict automated facial scans.

Has anyone faced this kind of issue with recently received. Also please share if you took any action to get it rectified and how easy it is?

I did a selfie and even touched up my eyebrows on Facetune! It was accepted.

Mine is a selfie on my british passport, the only issue is that I can’t use the automatic gates due to it being a mirror image.

The guidance for suitable photos on gov.uk is clear. It doesn't overtly say 'don't take a selfie' but it does tell you to get someone to take your photo, so it is implied. It also gives examples of reasons why photos will get rejected and I can imagine that this is more likely with selfies.

https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports

Our passports are due for renewal next year and DP and I will be taking each other's photos. We have plain white walls in our house with good natural light. I had to submit a passport quality photo for work because I do contract work airside at airports and DP took the photo I needed for that, so I'm confident we can take suitable photos.

Thanks, that's very assuring! Sorry couple of questions:

Do you have similar situation as mine where the moles/ scars are displayed on opposite side?

Did the officials at gate question why automated gates weren't used?

Do the officials find out it's a mirror image and provide any advice?

I will be travelling to Asia and Europe, hence not sure if each immigration will treat it differently and create issue which could halt the trip.

Thanks, hope you were able use it for abroad travel and immigration checks passed without any hiccups

How long does it take after being rejected to approve the new photo? Thanks

Thanks. It’s now 2 years old and I’ve been abroad about 8 times with it - no issues.

Just in case anyone comes across this post whilst researching selfies for passport photos, I have found this .gov page which is guidance for the people checking and approving the photos we submit.

Paragraph 3.14 states: 3.14 Self-portraits (selfies)
Customers may send us a digital photo that they have taken themselves, for example with their phone held at arm’s length (a selfie). You can accept these photos if they meet the other photo standards.

Photo standards (accessible) - GOV.UK

You'll have to perfect the Dubai Airport Pout now.