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Passport Photo Disability Exceptions

You may not have to meet every passport photo standard. If a physical or mental disability, or a visual impairment, prevents you from meeting them, the passport office can waive some or all of the rules — as long as a photo still shows your face. Here is how those exceptions work. Verified against the UK HM Passport Office examiner standard v51.0 (§5.1 and §5.2).

When an exemption can apply

The UK standard allows a customer with a physical or mental disability that prevents them from meeting the photo standards to be exempt if either:

So the exemption does not require a formal application form of its own — but it does need to be evident, or supported in writing.

Which standards can be waived

The examiner may waive some or all of these:

Two things must still hold: the photo must capture the face of the customer, and the case must be dealt with sensitively. In other words, the waivers relax the framing and expression rules, not the requirement that the photo shows you.

Visual impairment

A separate rule covers sight loss: if a visually impaired or blind person has their eyes shut, the passport office may accept the photo. Permanent or long-term eye patches may also be accepted, but temporary eye patches are not. As with everyone else, tinted glasses must be removed.

Overriding an online warning

If you apply online and the system warns about your photo, you can override the warning and explain why in the free-text field — for example, a religious or medical reason. The examiner uses that explanation to decide whether to accept the photo. Our guide to the online check override covers this process.

Related exceptions

Disability is not the only source of waivers. Children under six have their own exceptions — see baby and toddler photos. Medical headwear and coverings have their own rules in head coverings and medical exceptions. For the general standards, start from passport photo standards.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get an exemption from passport photo rules because of a disability?
Yes. If a physical or mental disability prevents you meeting the standards, an examiner may waive some or all of them, provided the photo still captures your face.

How do I show that I need an exemption?
Either it must be clear from the photo or application that you have such a disability, or your application must be supported by a written statement from you, your parent, carer or doctor.

Which rules can be waived?
Eyes looking at the camera, eyes in the correct position, mouth closed, neutral expression, full face towards the camera, and the background where a medical aid is visible.

What if I am visually impaired or blind?
A photo with your eyes shut may be accepted, and permanent or long-term eye patches may be accepted. Temporary eye patches are not, and tinted glasses must be removed.

Can I override an online photo warning?
Yes. When applying online you can override a warning and explain the reason in the free-text field; the examiner uses that to decide.

Does an exemption mean any photo will do?
No. Even with waivers, the photo must still capture your face, and the case is handled sensitively rather than automatically.

Source: UK HM Passport Office, “Photo standards” v51.0 (published 19 January 2026), §5.1 Disabilities and §5.2 Visual impairment. Requirements change, so confirm the current rules before you submit.