US issues fresh warning to Nigerians over AI-edited passport photos

The United States Mission in Nigeria has warned Nigerians against using artificial intelligence, AI, or other digital editing tools to alter passport photographs submitted with US passport applications.

The mission issued the advisory in a post on its official X account on Saturday, stressing that digitally enhanced or filtered passport photographs would not be accepted.

“Reminder! Do NOT use AI or digital editing tools on your passport photo. We will not accept photos that are edited or filtered,” the mission stated.

It explained that passport photographs must be recent, taken within the last six months, and accurately reflect the applicant’s current appearance.

According to the mission, the requirement is necessary to ensure that officials of the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can easily verify the identity of travellers.

“Your photo should be recent (taken within the past six months) and look like you (the TSA or CBP agent must be able to tell it’s you),” the statement added.

The mission further warned that submitting a digitally altered passport photograph could significantly delay the processing of an application.

It advised applicants to consult the official US passport photo guidelines for detailed requirements before submitting their applications.