United Kingdom 18+ Student Oyster photocard: size and rules
| Size | 700×900 pixels |
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| File size | 50 KB to 6 MB |
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| Background | cream or light grey |
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| Glasses | Clear glasses only, no glare |
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| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
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- A colour photo of your head and shoulders, full face, on a plain light background
- JPG, BMP or GIF under 6 MB, uploaded with the online application
- TfL emails you if the photo is refused and you upload another
Note on the sources: TfL gives no pixel size or background colour; this is the UK online passport photo.
Official rules: tfl.gov.uk: 18+ Student Oyster photocard. Rules checked on 27 October 2026.
Who needs it
Full-time students aged 18 or over at a registered London school, college or university get 30% off adult Travelcards and bus and tram passes with an 18+ Student Oyster photocard.
How to apply
- Check that your place of study is registered with TfL, then apply online. (TfL: 18+ Student Oyster photocard)
- Upload a colour photo of your head and shoulders, full face, on a plain light background, as a JPG, BMP or GIF under 6 MB. (TfL: 18+ Student Oyster photocard)
- Your place of study confirms you are enrolled, then TfL posts the card. If the photo is refused, TfL asks you to upload another. (TfL: 18+ Student Oyster photocard)
How to take the United Kingdom 18+ Student Oyster photocard on your phone
- Stand about an arm's length from a plain cream or light grey wall, facing a window or other soft light, so there are no shadows on your face or behind you.
- Tilt clear glasses so they don't reflect the light, push your hair away from your eyes and eyebrows, and keep a neutral face with your mouth closed.
- Hold the phone at eye level, or ask someone to take it. Picproved's camera tells you when your head is straight, centred and the right size.
- Picproved crops the photo to 700×900 pixels, evens out the cream background and checks every rule before you save.
- Save the file and upload it with the online application: it comes out 50 KB to 6 MB. There is no printed photo to send.
Why photos like this get rejected
If the office rejects it
| Picproved | Other big passport photo apps |
|---|
| Which photos are covered | Every photo you save | Two of the four pay out only for photos that passed their own expert check or a paid human check |
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| Proof of the rejection | None. Tell us it was rejected | Three of the four ask for proof of the rejection or a reason for the claim |
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| Time to tell us | 90 days from your order | 14 days from getting the photo at one, 30 days from the rejection at another; we found no limit at the other two |
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No face retouching. Pay once. 90-day redo and refund, no letter needed. Saving is free while we launch; the promise covers every paid photo once payments open. How the promises compare
Questions
- What size is the United Kingdom 18+ Student Oyster photocard?
- 700×900 pixels.
- What file size does the United Kingdom 18+ Student Oyster photocard need?
- 50 KB to 6 MB. Picproved saves the file inside this limit.
- What background does the United Kingdom 18+ Student Oyster photocard need?
- A plain cream or light grey background with no shadows or patterns.
- Can I wear glasses in the United Kingdom 18+ Student Oyster photocard?
- Clear glasses are allowed if your eyes show clearly with no glare. Tinted glasses are not.
- How do I make the United Kingdom 18+ Student Oyster photocard with my phone?
- Stand facing the camera against a plain wall in even light. Picproved shows live checks while you take it, crops it to 700×900 pixels and checks the rules before you save. Your photo stays on your device.
- What photo do I need for an 18+ Student Oyster card?
- A recent colour photo of your head and shoulders, full face, on a plain light background, uploaded as a JPG, BMP or GIF under 6 MB.
- Can I reuse my student ID photo for the Oyster card?
- Only if it shows your full face, head and shoulders on a plain light background and is a clear file under 6 MB.
Have a photo already? Check it free with the United Kingdom 18+ Student Oyster photocard checker.
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