Visa photo rejected because I was 'smiling too much'. What.

Kurokun

Submitted my visa application online. Got an email 2 days later: "Photo rejected. Reason: facial expression non-compliant."

I was smiling. Like, a normal, closed-mouth, passport-photo smile.

Turns out China visa photos require a neutral expression. No smiling. At all.

Had to get new photos taken. The photographer knew exactly what to do — "China visa? No smile."

Other rules I learned:
• White or light blue background only
• Both ears must be visible
• No glasses
• Photo must be within last 6 months

Pro tip: Go to a photo studio that specializes in visa photos. They know the rules. Don't use a photo booth.

Also: the COVA system is picky about file size. My original scan was too high-res. Had to compress it. Third time was the charm.

Anyone else had a visa photo rejected for a ridiculous reason?