UK ETA Photo — at home in 60 seconds
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) — face photo
Take it with your phone against a plain, light wall. We crop it to the exact size and check the head size, position and background against the published rules.
This authority doesn't publish an exact size we could confirm. Most use 35×45 mm — check the official source. No refund guarantee.
Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.
Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027
Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo. Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
Quick answer
A UK ETA Photo must be a digital file of at least 600 px (50 KB – 6 MB, JPEG), on a plain light-coloured background. A photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets these rules.
- Digital file
- at least 600 px · 50 KB – 6 MB · JPEG
Verified October 3, 2026 from GOV.UK.
Photo requirements
Summarised from the official sources below.
- Digital file
- at least 600 px · 50 KB – 6 MB · JPEG
- Background
- Plain light-coloured. Clear contrast to the background; no shadows on face or behind.
- Expression
- Plain expression, mouth closed, facing and looking straight at camera, eyes open.
- Glasses
- Do not wear unless you have to; no sunglasses/tinted; eyes clearly visible.
- Head covering
- Not allowed unless religious or medical.
- Babies and children
- Same as UK passport digital rules (child alone; under 6 relaxed expression/gaze; under 1 eyes may be closed, lying on light sheet).
- Online application
- UK ETA application (UK ETA app or GOV.UK online) — 'upload or take photos of the face'.
More rules (11)
- at least 600 px wide and 750 px tall
- 50 KB–6 MB
- JPG/JPEG
- vertically orientated
- must not be mirrored or flipped
- must show head, shoulders and upper body
- must not be altered by software or filters
- must not be a scan/photo of another photo
- must NOT be the same photo as in the passport/ID card
- shoulders and torso clothed
- another person should take the photo
Digital upload only
This document uses a digital photo, so there is nothing to print.
How to take it at home
- Stand about half a metre in front of a plain, light wall, facing a window.
- Hold the phone at arm’s length or ask someone to help. The live guide checks distance, light and head position.
- Get your digital file and print sheet. Print at 100% or upload the file.
Price
Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.
Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027
Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo.
Photo Acceptance Guarantee — rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
Why people choose Ovalight
Made for the moment you need a photo that just works.
- Money back if it’s rejected Rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
- Free to try Take and check your photo for free. You pay once, only when you like the result.
- Your photo stays on your phone Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
- Checked against the official rules Every rule comes from the issuing authority’s own website, last verified on October 3, 2026.
- Free retakes for 24 hours Not happy with it? Retake the same document up to 3 times within 24 hours.
- Secure payment, no subscription Pay once through Stripe. We never see your card details.
Official sources
Verified on October 3, 2026
- Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK — GOV.UK
- Take a photo of your face for a visa application or permission — updated 2026-08-04 — GOV.UK (UK Visas and Immigration)
Questions
What size is a UK ETA Photo?
Digital: at least 600 px · 50 KB – 6 MB · JPEG.
Can I take my UK ETA Photo at home?
Yes. The photo is not taken at the office and no registered photographer is required, so a photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets the rules on this page.
What background is required?
Plain light-coloured. Clear contrast to the background; no shadows on face or behind.
Can I smile?
Plain expression, mouth closed, facing and looking straight at camera, eyes open.
Can I wear glasses?
Do not wear unless you have to; no sunglasses/tinted; eyes clearly visible.
Can I wear a head covering?
Not allowed unless religious or medical.
What about babies and children?
Same as UK passport digital rules (child alone; under 6 relaxed expression/gaze; under 1 eyes may be closed, lying on light sheet).
More United Kingdom documents
Ovalight is an independent service. Only the authority that issues your document decides whether to accept a photo.