Like most F-1 applications, post-completion OPT can induce anxiety for even the most well-prepared, early bird student. Avoid these simple errors so that your time and effort pays off and you get your approval and EAD card without a problem.
Too dark
It seems like a no brainer: get your friend to take a photo of you in your dorm room. The problem is rudimentary photography is going to decrease your chance of being approved the first time. Make sure that there are no shadows on your face and that hollow areas of your face, like your eyes, are not shaded darkly. If you have to get a non-professional photo, think about how a photographer at a studio would do it. This blog has some really good tips for taking your own passport photo, and even has pictures that show how different things affect the photo.
Too blurry
Another issue is a photo that is too blurry. This can be caused by a low quality camera, smudges on the lens, or an unsteady hand. It’s important that the details of your face can be clearly seen. The purpose of the photos is to allow an authority figure to look at the identification and quickly determine if it does in fact belong to you. Any blurriness that would cause someone to have to look too hard will decrease your chance of being approved the first time.
Incorrect background
The third issue with photos is when the background is not solid white or off-white. You cannot submit a photo that was taken in front of a door that has a design on it (like a panel door), a window, or outside. Depending on the lighting and other factors, if the background does not appear white, the photo may be denied.
Duplicate
Submitting the same photo as the one you used to get your F-1 visa is an automatic way to get rejected. One of the requirements for photos submitted to the government is that it was taken in the last 6 months. It needs to look like what you look like right now. A photo that you got four years ago as a first year, or even last year if you renewed your visa, may not be recognizable as you anymore. Now, of course if you do still look exactly the same as you did four years ago, good for you!, but your application is still going to be denied. It’s worth your time to get a new photo taken.
Always review the U.S. Department of State’s guidelines before getting your passport style photo taken as the guidelines may change from time to time. I’ll post more tips about OPT so check back soon!
Thanks for stopping by,
Sara