Can I Photoshop My Passport Photo? No.
With so many photo beautifying applications on our fingertips, it almost makes no sense for millennial to live with a Darth Vader looking passport photo for 10 plus years. Why isnt passport photo a place for individual expression?
A passport photo needs to capture more than 130 defining facial points, so when people go through the time-saving e-gates at the airport their faces can be compared against their passport photos. Other than the usual no teeth, no smile drill, did you also know that children between the age 3 to 16 have to change their passports every 5 years? This regulation is in place as during 3 to 16 childrens faces change as they grow.
Does Born in Australia Guarantee an Aussie Passport? Not Really.
Before August 20th 1986, all children born in Australia were eligible to apply for Australian citizenship, regardless where their parents were from. However after this date, only when one of the parents is an Aussie citizen or permanent resident can the child obtain an Australian citizenship.
Jie once processed a case where the applicants parents were born after August 20th 1986. Grandparents citizenships and birth certificates had to be looked at to decide whether the applicant was qualified for an Australian passport.
Can My Fiancé be My Guarantor? No.
They say love conquers all. Well, not in the eyes of the passport processing staff.
Guarantors are responsible for the truthfulness of the information given by applicants on their passport application forms and their photos. They have to know the applicants for at least 12 months and are Australian citizens themselves. If they moved houses they need to prove that they have lived in the new dwellings for over 12 months and have registered their new addresses in the electoral roll.
No fiancés, no relatives. Be nice to your doctors, friends and neighbours to make sure you are never short of people who are willing to testify your integrity.
Who knew there are so many nuances to an Australian passport? Well now you know. Click on the podcast to learn more about birth certificates for new Australian citizens and passport renewal.
