Warning over passport photo trend on TikTok that may get you in trouble at airport

Travel experts are sounding the alarm over a popular passport photo trend that could cause unexpected delays at airports.

While most of us aren't thrilled with our passport photos, there's a new trend where people glam up and stage professional-looking photoshoots to improve their passport pictures.

Influencer Amelia Marni recently posted a TikTok video of herself all dolled up for her passport photo session, complete with friends providing extra lighting from their phones. She said: "POV: You want a hot passport pic." And in her caption, she added: "We won't stop at nothin."

But this trend has led to complications for some influencers when passport scanners at airports don't recognise their snaps. TikToker Beth Gould recently shared her own ordeal on TikTok, saying she was "humbled in Taiwan".

"The machine said my passport photo didn't look like me, so I had to go to the desk and get my identification verified," Beth explained. Her video has been viewed more than 6.7million times.

One viewer responded to her video by saying: "I go out of my way to get my passport photo taken w/o makeup with day three hair so I look the same as I do after a 10 hour flight haha." Another commented: "I wonder how many people this happens to that followed that 'passport photo/DL photo' trend of getting suuuuuper made up."

Although there are no specific rules around makeup in passport photos, Gemma Brown - Head of Product at Travel Republic - says: "It's important to remember that the reason for a passport photo is to provide a clear and accurate visual identification of you."

Gemma explained: "Most people do feel embarrassed of their ID images, however, they are a security measure to help prevent fraud, keep borders safe and ensure easy