Global Travels

Many people make simple mistakes when submitting passport photos, which often require them to reapply. Here, learn what to avoid and how to take the perfect photo.

When planning a trip, it’s common to want to spend as little as possible and avoid traps that can land us with unexpected costs. But if it’s time to renew your passport or apply for one, making simple mistakes could end up costing you an extra £102.

UK passport fees exceed £100 for a standard application, so it’s important to ensure everything is correct and up to standard when submitting your application. While there are plenty of official guidelines out there, many applications are still delayed or rejected each year due to photo issues, according to CEWE’s creative lead, Adrianne Yates.

READ MORE: Full list of new passport fees – up to £239READ MORE: British passport change scheduled Wednesday April 8 ‘for first time’

According to HM Passport Office, your passport photo must meet strict requirements so you don’t have to reapply and pay new fees.

For the perfect photo, stand in front of a plain, light-coloured background, use balanced lighting with no shadows, and take a clear, natural image of your face. You’ll also need to keep your expression neutral – so no smiling – with your mouth closed and eyes open.

If you’re wearing glasses, make sure they don’t cause glare. Headwear is only allowed for religious or medical reasons. Additionally, the image must be in colour, unedited, and taken within the last month to reflect your current look.

While these rules are generally well known, Adrianne Yates has shared some lesser-known tips that could help you even further – to avoid an expensive mistake.

The first one is to not tense up – by simply breathing out just before the photo is taken, as people often hold tension in their face without realising.

She says overthinking can also backfire, as trying too hard to take the perfect photo can leave you with what she describes as a “startled” look, which she says could lead to your photo being rejected.

And one of the most common mistakes people make is not paying enough attention to the lighting rules. The rules clearly state that there should be no shadows, but even faint ones, if overlooked, can cause problems. Adrianne highlights how hair, in particular, can cast shadows across your face, so keep that in mind and make sure your features are fully visible.

The same hotel has been crowned the best of its kind for 11 consecutive years, thanks to its connectivity, innovation, technology and the unusual experiences it offers

A five-star stay at one of the world’s busiest hubs has been named the best airport hotel in the world for the 11th consecutive year.

Skytrax’s 2026 World Airport Awards are commonly referred to as the “Oscars of the airport industry,” and are based on the largest annual airport customer satisfaction surveys in the world, which gather feedback from travellers across more than 550 airports.

This year, the awards have crowned the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport in Singapore as the World’s Best Airport Hotel yet again this year, in a ceremony at PTE World in London.

Pushing the boundaries of what is expected of a stereotypical airport hotel – business-focused, strictly practical and visually simple – the hotel transports guests into the world of aviation in more ways than simply by giving them seamless access to terminals.

Crowne Plaza Chang has aviation-themed family suites designed in collaboration with Kiztopia. There, kids can make their trip even more exciting by playing with plane-inspired spaces and interactive features.

For those looking for special experiences without having to venture into cities, the Crowne Plaza Changi also offers a range of curated experiences, from hands-on cooking to cocktail sessions: all part of the hotel’s Crowne Plaza Social feature.

And if you just want to kick your feet up and rest for the entire time you’re there, you’re also in for a treat with the wellness-focused routines called Daily Rituals, which are designed to help guests recover from travel.

READ MORE: UK’s ‘most welcoming town’ has independent shops, Turkish Baths and beautiful walks

But the hotel’s innovations don’t stop at interior design and experiences. It is the first hotel in Singapore to offer in-room NuCalm sleep technology in every room, making use of the patented neuroscience techniques for stress relief, better sleep, focus & recovery, and ensuring you wake up refreshed before or after that long flight.

If all of that wasn’t enough to justify its top spot on the ranking of best airport hotels, the Crowne’s location is another major highlight. It gives guests direct access to all of Singapore Changi Airport’s terminals and the impressive Jewel Changi Airport complex – so no need to stress about what time to catch the airport shuttle.

General manager Greg Gublani said: “We are deeply honoured to be named the World’s Best Airport Hotel by Skytrax for the 11th consecutive year. This remarkable milestone is a celebration of our incredible team and unwavering dedication to deliver True Hospitality every day. In addition to delivering unique experiences, our stays are designed to enrich guest journeys, bringing blended travel to life through curated experiences. – from Crowne Plaza Social, where guests engage in hands-on activities crafting fresh pastas and classic Negronis, to energising Daily Rituals that support well-being.”

Singapore Changi Airport itself once again topped the list of the world’s best airports for 2026, followed by Incheon International Airport in Seoul, Tokyo International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport and Narita International Airport in Greater Tokyo.