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United Kingdom Zip Oyster photocard photo requirements

The photo rules set by Transport for London (TfL) for the United Kingdom Zip Oyster photocard, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 4 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What are the United Kingdom Zip Oyster photocard photo requirements?

Upload a clear, unaltered colour digital photo of the young person as a .jpg, .bmp or .gif file of less than 6 MB. TfL links to the HM Passport Office photo rules, so the photo should meet those. A colour image of the passport details page is also uploaded, as a .png or .jpg under 6 MB.

Zip Oyster photocards give young people free or discounted travel on TfL services. There are an 11-15 card and a 16+ card. Applications are made online through a TfL photocard account, and a parent or guardian applies for anyone under 18; 18-year-olds apply themselves.

TfL uses the young person's valid, machine-readable passport (UK or non-UK) to check age and identity, so two uploads are needed: the portrait photo and an image of the passport details page.

United Kingdom Zip Oyster photocard photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by Transport for London (TfL):[1]

BackgroundTfL links to the HM Passport Office photo rules (plain light-coloured background)
ColourColour
File sizeLess than 6 MB (photo and passport image)
File formatPhoto: .jpg, .bmp or .gif. Passport image: .png or .jpg

Key requirements

  • Photo

    A clear, unaltered colour digital photo of the young person, saved as .jpg, .bmp or .gif and less than 6 MB. TfL links to the HM Passport Office photo rules. TfL does not say how recent the photo must be; the passport rules ask for one taken in the last month.

  • Passport image

    A colour image of the passport details page as .png or .jpg, less than 6 MB, with the photo, name, date of birth and passport number all clearly visible. No other document or image is accepted in its place, including a photo that only shows the young person.

  • Two separate uploads

    The portrait goes in the photo slot and the passport page in the passport slot.

  • Rejected images

    If TfL cannot accept the photo or passport image, it emails the applicant, who must upload another to finish the application. TfL does not list reasons for rejection.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Use a plain light-coloured background in clear contrast to the young person
  • Use a plain expression, mouth closed, eyes open and visible, facing the camera
  • Use glasses only if needed, with no tinted lenses or glare

Don't

  • Leave shadows, other people or objects in the photo
  • Let hair cover the eyes
  • Use filters or editing

Glasses

Glasses only if needed, with no tinted lenses or glare (following the passport photo rules that TfL links to).

Babies and children

The 11-15 Zip is for children over 10 years and 11 months and under 16 on 31 August. A parent or guardian applies for anyone under 18. Without a passport, the application can be started online and completed at a Post Office using a printed letter, or, outside London, by collecting the card from a TfL Visitor Centre with the confirmation email and proof of age (apply at least 28 days before collection).

Digital only: the photo is uploaded online. TfL's 6 MB limit is lower than the 10 MB passport limit.

Where to submit the photo

Upload both images in the TfL Oyster photocard web account when applying online. The card usually arrives within 2 weeks of the photo and passport image being accepted.

How to get your United Kingdom Zip Oyster photocard photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the United Kingdom Zip Oyster photocard: tfL links to the HM Passport Office photo… background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: photo; passport image; two separate uploads; rejected images.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Digital only: the photo is uploaded online. TfL's 6 MB limit is lower than the 10 MB passport limit.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Upload both images in the TfL Oyster photocard web account when applying online. The card usually arrives within 2 weeks of the photo and passport image being accepted.

United Kingdom Zip Oyster photocard photo FAQ

A clear, unaltered colour digital photo of the young person, saved as a .jpg, .bmp or .gif file under 6 MB. TfL links to the HM Passport Office photo rules, so the photo should meet those.

For the photo of the young person: .jpg, .bmp or .gif, under 6 MB. For the image of their passport details page: .png or .jpg, under 6 MB.

TfL emails you, and you need to upload another photo (or passport image) to finish the application. The card usually arrives within 2 weeks once both are accepted.

TfL asks for an uploaded digital photo and does not ask for a photo code, so a photo taken on a phone can work if it follows the passport photo rules.

Yes. Start the application online and you will be asked to print a letter to take to a Post Office. If you live outside London, you can instead collect the card from a TfL Visitor Centre with your confirmation email and proof of your child's age; apply at least 28 days before you want to collect it.

An 11-15 card expires on 30 September after the child's 16th birthday. A 16+ card expires on 30 September in the year after their 18th birthday if they live in a London borough, or the day before their 18th birthday if they live outside London.

Related photo specifications

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Official sources

  1. Transport for London (TfL). 16+ Zip Oyster photocard tfl.gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. Transport for London (TfL). 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard tfl.gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. Transport for London (TfL). 60+ London Oyster photocard tfl.gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. GOV.UK (HM Passport Office). Get a passport photo - digital photos gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with Transport for London (TfL) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"United Kingdom Zip Oyster photocard photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/united-kingdom/zip-oyster-photocard-photo

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