European passport photo has hair covering full forehead — potential problems at US border?
When this EU passport was issued, I was only half-jokingly told that I might want to get a new one if I ever was going to travel to the US due to the kind of afro hair I'm sporting in the picture -- specifically because it covers my whole forehead down to my eyebrows, which can be seen but are definitely overshadowed. I was told this only when they were giving me the passport, no one said anything when I gave them the actual picture. Haven't had any problem with it at the few European, non-EU borders where I used it.
Some years after the fact, I am planning a trip to the US and just remembered this. Should I really be worried about it being rejected at the US border? The passport still has over a year before the expiration date and I'm currently not living in my country, so it would be a hassle to pay a visit to the embassy to get it renewed, while also having to postpone the ESTA application.
I had a look at this US Government guide on passport pictures and it definitely is worrying -- the picture of a guy with a couple of rastas over his forehead in the 'hair section' is deemed unacceptable. (While I understand these are guidelines for US passports.)
Advice on whether I should renew the passport or not?
EDIT: The picture in question:
Best Answer
I'm not sure if you need a US visa or not - most EU nationals do not require one for tourism, however for reference I am using the photo guidelines for US visas which don't state that your forehead has to be visible:
- In color
- Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) or 50% and 69% of the image's total height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. View the Photo Composition Template for more size requirement details.
- Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
- Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
- Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
- With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
- Taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis
- Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily.
- Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.
- Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.
- If you normally wear glasses (without tinted lenses), a hearing device, or similar articles, they may be worn in your photo.
- Dark glasses or glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable.
- Glare on glasses is not acceptable in your photo. Glare can be avoided with a slight downward tilt of the glasses or by removing the glasses or by turning off the camera flash.
If your country has issued your passport photo - and the passport meets all other requirements (biometric/digital, etc.) then you should have no issues at the border.
Of course, this assumes you look like your picture and there is no significant material change in your appearance (see "taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance")
I have used the same photo - which showed me with a large head of hair and some seriously big aviator specs - for applying to the US. Upon arrival, I had a shaved head and no glasses (was wearing contacts).
I was let in without issues; even though - by my own admission - I looked nothing like my passport photo.
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