2 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

That's disappointing - I thought it was VFS's job to check things like the photos, before it's submitted to HMPO?

Yes it was very disappointing which is why I highlighted it so others are aware. VFS may check the 35x45 mm size but they didn’t get a ruler out and measure the size of my head which is what is required. To cap it all they sent me a standard passport instead of the frequent traveller passport I requested and paid for. That was HMPO’s fault not VFS and they are now sending me a refund for the price difference.

43 minutes ago, witsawakorn said:

Yes it was very disappointing which is why I highlighted it so others are aware. VFS may check the 35x45 mm size but they didn’t get a ruler out and measure the size of my head which is what is required. To cap it all they sent me a standard passport instead of the frequent traveller passport I requested and paid for. That was HMPO’s fault not VFS and they are now sending me a refund for the price difference.

That is indeed very disappointing. Thanks for the information. I will be renewing my passport soon and hope I don't have the same unfortunate experiences that you have endured. I will be using an agent for my submission.

2 minutes ago, Mutt Daeng said:

That is indeed very disappointing. Thanks for the information. I will be renewing my passport soon and hope I don't have the same unfortunate experiences that you have endured.

I suggest that you give the photo shop the dimensional specs when you get your photos done and take a ruler to check them yourself in the shop. I used Paptip Digital Studio in Din Daeng and the photographer was excellent. I gave him the specs and he followed them exactly

1 minute ago, witsawakorn said:

I suggest that you give the photo shop the dimensional specs when you get your photos done and take a ruler to check them yourself in the shop. I used Paptip Digital Studio in Din Daeng and the photographer was excellent. I gave him the specs and he followed them exactly

Thanks for the suggestion. Last time I got my passport photos done in a local photo shop in Buriram. I printed the photo requirements off from the gov.uk website to show the photographer, but he already had a British passport photo profile saved on his computer which he used to process and print the photos and these were accepted by HMPO.

1 hour ago, witsawakorn said:

Specifically they said that the size of my head was too big.

Well you said it ! Hahah

On Thai Passports, ID cards and DLs, the head is HALF the area of the photo, the rest is my shirt.

On 3/2/2026 at 8:37 AM, witsawakorn said:

VFS may check the 35x45 mm size but they didn’t get a ruler out and measure the size of my head which is what is required.

And, in addition to acceptable photo and head sizes, there is also the little matter of acceptable background colours (must be plain cream or plain light grey, or else) which HMPO can be ultra-fussy about as well.