Part of planning for a trip involves making sure important documents like passports are all in check, and occasionally they might need to be renewed.
However, experts have warned against wearing white when taking photos for passports for a specific reason.
For UK passports, the Government states the photo must ‘be taken against a plain light-coloured background’.
The photograph should also ‘be in clear contrast to the background’.
America has similar guidance and asks for travellers to ‘use a white or off-white background without shadows, texture, or lines’.
Roman Yagudaev, CEO and founder of The Passport Experts, explained to Reader’s Digest how the colour of clothing could cause problems.
‘The issue is that the background of the photo has to be white,’ they said, in reference to regulations in the States.
Using a light background against white clothing could make the person photographed blend in.
Experts have warned against wearing white when taking photos for passports for a specific reason
Roman added: ‘If you’re wearing a white shirt or blouse, it blends into the background and all you see is a face floating on a picture.
‘It also becomes an issue when the State Department has to scan the image because it will be difficult to pick up on.’
The expert warned how wearing white could even cause processing delays if officials think the photograph doesn’t meet the requirements.
Roman explained the photo is ‘one of the most significant parts of the application’.
They continued: ‘Applications are often delayed or temporarily suspended for incorrect photographs.’
There are other important factors UK travellers need to consider when applying for a passport.
In the photo, hair must not be covering the eyes and the person needs to have a ‘plain expression’ and closed mouth.
Eyes must be ‘open and visible’ and head coverings aren’t allowed ‘unless it’s for religious or medical reasons’.
For UK passports, the Government states the photo must ‘be taken against a plain light-coloured background’ (stock)
Meanwhile, Karolina Turowska, a biometric photography and travel expert at Passport-Photo.Online, revealed the real reason why people aren’t allowed to smile in their passport photo.
She told HuffPost: ‘Algorithms don’t work as we do. To compare a 3D face with a 2D passport photo, they need to pinpoint and measure the users’ facial features.
‘It includes the distance between the pupils, ears, nose and mouth, the mouth’s and the eyes’ width, and many others.
‘Smiling can make it harder [to recognise a person], as it alters facial proportions.’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .