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London visa office - Photo Request

dubaiexpat

Full Member
Dec 3, 2014
44
3
Dubai
Category........
Visa Office......
LVO
NOC Code......
0111
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
16-09-2014
Nomination.....
CC charge: 03/12/2014
AOR Received.
PER: 31/12/2014
IELTS Request
sent with the application
File Transfer...
PCC, RPRF, Schedule A, Info Chart & PP copies 28/07/2015
Med's Request
24/07/2015
Med's Done....
27/07/2015 DM Status: 21/9/2015
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
02 Oct 2015
VISA ISSUED...
12 Oct 2015
LANDED..........
soon
lionheartleo2001 said:
please find the CIC information on photos......thanks to Diplomantru.
Operational Bulletin 540-A – December 16, 2014
Verification of permanent resident photos at visa offices
Summary

The purpose of this Operational Bulletin (OB) is to provide instructions to visa offices regarding their responsibility to verify photos submitted with applications for permanent residence (APRs) and how to assess whether photos meet the required specifications.

Background

Persons who are granted permanent resident status automatically initiate the processing of a permanent resident card (PRC) following confirmation of that status. The photograph that is submitted with an APR is then captured on the PRC. It is therefore very important that the photograph meets the proper photo specifications. When a photograph is non-compliant, clients are required to retake their photo, which delays the processing of the PRC. As it currently stands, approximately 15% of photos must be retaken.

In an effort to reduce the number of photo retakes after a client has arrived in Canada, visa offices are asked to pay closer attention to the photographs to ensure that they meet the prescribed specifications. As the first point of contact, visa offices have the ability to catch non-compliant photos before a client is granted permanent resident status. Early detection helps to speed up the PRC process and reduce additional work by the ports of entry, local Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) offices and the Permanent Resident Card Centre of the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Guidelines

When an APR is received at a visa office, the registry clerk must confirm that proper photographs have been submitted. The photograph should be examined to ensure that it was taken within the last six months by a commercial photographer and that it meets the photo specifications. See Appendix A (Permanent Resident Card Photo Specifications (PDF, 3.40 MB)) for a complete list of specifications. The name and complete address of the photo studio and the date the photo was taken must be included on the back of one photo. The same photo should also contain the name and date of birth of the applicant. One photo should be left blank.

When examining photos, visa offices should pay close attention to the following errors, which most commonly appear on non-compliant photos:

Altered original
Taken from an existing photo
Out of focus subject
Incorrect photograph background (must be white)
Poor lighting
Shadows on the client's face, especially around the ears
Incorrect head size (too large)
If the photograph does not meet the required specifications, it should be returned to the applicant, along with a copy of Appendix A and/or Appendix B (Photo Specifications – Notes to the applicant and the photographer (PDF, 550.08 KB)) and instructions to submit new photos. Processing can continue as usual even though the new photographs have not been received; however, the application should not be finalized until new photographs are received.

Compliant photos must be on file when the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) is printed. The photo without the applicant's information on the back must be mounted to the COPR using a photo patch (double-sided tape). Photo patches can be ordered using the form Requisition for Non-Controlled Immigration Forms [IMM 1389], by selecting the item “(CIC 0108B – Photo Patch/Pièce encollée pour photo)” from the drop-down menu and entering the number of packages required.

Documents and tools

Appendix A: Permanent Resident Card Photo Specifications (PDF, 3.40 MB)
Appendix B: Photo Specifications – Notes to the applicant and the photographer (PDF, 550.08 KB)
I guess this confirms that they have detected something wrong with the earlier photos we sent. But the good thing is, it does say that processing can continue as usual even though the new photographs have not been received.
 

asad.naqvi

Star Member
Jan 28, 2015
186
9
124
Toronto, Ontario.
Category........
Visa Office......
LVO
NOC Code......
2131
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-10-2014 (Rcvd. by M.KRSZWDA)
Doc's Request.
Updated forms & PCC : 14-03-2016
Nomination.....
25-01-2015
IELTS Request
Sent with Application
Med's Request
01-03-2016
Med's Done....
02-03-2016
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
15-06-2016
VISA ISSUED...
08-07-2016
LANDED..........
24-09-2016
I am an October Applicant.

NOC : 2131
Visa Office : LVO
App. filed From : KSA
App. Received at CIO : 28th October, 2014
DD. Charged : 31st December, 2014
IELTS : Sent with Application
PER : 25th January, 2015

I have received the same photo re-submission request on 26th Feb, 2015 stating that my photos are not as per requirements. Thanks to this forum, I already knew whats coming to me :p So I got 6 photos. 4 with details on the back, 2 left empty. Because in e-mail they require 4 while on the website, they require 2. Now the confusion was, how many pictures to be left blank? 1 or 2? Since I am an engineer and should follow the factor of safety ;) I provided 2 empty. Now the photos with details, out of 4, there might be 2 photos required with details or 3. Now 3 is a weird figure so I provided them with 4 ;)

Yesterday I have sent my photos again with all the requirements. Lets see whats next.
 

asad.naqvi

Star Member
Jan 28, 2015
186
9
124
Toronto, Ontario.
Category........
Visa Office......
LVO
NOC Code......
2131
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-10-2014 (Rcvd. by M.KRSZWDA)
Doc's Request.
Updated forms & PCC : 14-03-2016
Nomination.....
25-01-2015
IELTS Request
Sent with Application
Med's Request
01-03-2016
Med's Done....
02-03-2016
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
15-06-2016
VISA ISSUED...
08-07-2016
LANDED..........
24-09-2016
I think the only problem with the old photos was the address of studio / photographer who took the picture.
Because on cic.gc.ca there isn't anything mentioned like address of photographer being stamped or written on the back of photo. While this is more specifically be the requirement of London Visa Office.
That's what I think.
 

asad.naqvi

Star Member
Jan 28, 2015
186
9
124
Toronto, Ontario.
Category........
Visa Office......
LVO
NOC Code......
2131
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-10-2014 (Rcvd. by M.KRSZWDA)
Doc's Request.
Updated forms & PCC : 14-03-2016
Nomination.....
25-01-2015
IELTS Request
Sent with Application
Med's Request
01-03-2016
Med's Done....
02-03-2016
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
15-06-2016
VISA ISSUED...
08-07-2016
LANDED..........
24-09-2016

Mazharbari

Full Member
Jul 5, 2014
42
1
Visa Office......
LVO
NOC Code......
2281
App. Filed.......
09-10-2014
Doc's Request.
15 Feb, 7 August 2015
Nomination.....
15-01-2015
AOR Received.
NA
IELTS Request
Sent with application
File Transfer...
NA
Med's Request
7-8-2015
Med's Done....
18-08-2015
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
01-09-2015
VISA ISSUED...
16-09-2015
LANDED..........
March 2016
shb said:
One picture must contain stamp of studio (stamp will have name of studio, address and date the photo was taken). On that same photo, you have to write your name and DOB as well.
Hope this clears your confusion.
Thank you, I have sent 4 photos in which two of them have stamp of studio, date picture was taken, name and DOB while two pictures without any detail. Do you think it's ok?
 

Dr.Ss11

Hero Member
Aug 19, 2014
252
12
Category........
Visa Office......
London
NOC Code......
3112
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28 Nov' 2014
Doc's Request.
23rd Mar' 2015
Nomination.....
PER 14 Feb' 2015
File Transfer...
2nd line ECAS: 11th March'2015
Med's Request
9th July' 2015
Med's Done....
28th July'2015
Passport Req..
10th August'2015
VISA ISSUED...
21st Aug'2015 Alhamdulillah
Did any of November applicant receive photo request from London visa office??
 

jam2k94

Hero Member
Nov 14, 2014
400
20
124
Kuwait
Category........
Visa Office......
London - RFI - LBM
NOC Code......
0113
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
03-11-2014
Doc's Request.
CC charged 07-01-2015
Nomination.....
PER 29-01-2015
AOR Received.
N/A with LVO
IELTS Request
sent with documents
File Transfer...
Received by LVO on 29-01-2015
Med's Request
05-05-2016
Med's Done....
02-06-2016
Interview........
08-02-2017
Passport Req..
ان شاء الله Soon
VISA ISSUED...
ان شاء الله Soon
LANDED..........
ان شاء الله Soon
lionheartleo2001 said:
please find the CIC information on photos......thanks to Diplomantru.
Operational Bulletin 540-A – December 16, 2014
Verification of permanent resident photos at visa offices
Summary

The purpose of this Operational Bulletin (OB) is to provide instructions to visa offices regarding their responsibility to verify photos submitted with applications for permanent residence (APRs) and how to assess whether photos meet the required specifications.

Background

Persons who are granted permanent resident status automatically initiate the processing of a permanent resident card (PRC) following confirmation of that status. The photograph that is submitted with an APR is then captured on the PRC. It is therefore very important that the photograph meets the proper photo specifications. When a photograph is non-compliant, clients are required to retake their photo, which delays the processing of the PRC. As it currently stands, approximately 15% of photos must be retaken.

In an effort to reduce the number of photo retakes after a client has arrived in Canada, visa offices are asked to pay closer attention to the photographs to ensure that they meet the prescribed specifications. As the first point of contact, visa offices have the ability to catch non-compliant photos before a client is granted permanent resident status. Early detection helps to speed up the PRC process and reduce additional work by the ports of entry, local Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) offices and the Permanent Resident Card Centre of the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Guidelines

When an APR is received at a visa office, the registry clerk must confirm that proper photographs have been submitted. The photograph should be examined to ensure that it was taken within the last six months by a commercial photographer and that it meets the photo specifications. See Appendix A (Permanent Resident Card Photo Specifications (PDF, 3.40 MB)) for a complete list of specifications. The name and complete address of the photo studio and the date the photo was taken must be included on the back of one photo. The same photo should also contain the name and date of birth of the applicant. One photo should be left blank.

When examining photos, visa offices should pay close attention to the following errors, which most commonly appear on non-compliant photos:

Altered original
Taken from an existing photo
Out of focus subject
Incorrect photograph background (must be white)
Poor lighting
Shadows on the client's face, especially around the ears
Incorrect head size (too large)
If the photograph does not meet the required specifications, it should be returned to the applicant, along with a copy of Appendix A and/or Appendix B (Photo Specifications – Notes to the applicant and the photographer (PDF, 550.08 KB)) and instructions to submit new photos. Processing can continue as usual even though the new photographs have not been received; however, the application should not be finalized until new photographs are received.

Compliant photos must be on file when the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) is printed. The photo without the applicant's information on the back must be mounted to the COPR using a photo patch (double-sided tape). Photo patches can be ordered using the form Requisition for Non-Controlled Immigration Forms [IMM 1389], by selecting the item “(CIC 0108B – Photo Patch/Pièce encollée pour photo)” from the drop-down menu and entering the number of packages required.

Documents and tools

Appendix A: Permanent Resident Card Photo Specifications (PDF, 3.40 MB)
Appendix B: Photo Specifications – Notes to the applicant and the photographer (PDF, 550.08 KB)
Great Information. Will help several peoples.
 

shb

Hero Member
May 10, 2014
230
13
Visa Office......
London
NOC Code......
0711
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
20-10-2014
Doc's Request.
Photo Request (18-02-15)
Nomination.....
18-01-2015
IELTS Request
Sent with application
Med's Request
24-06-2015 --> SLU 26-06-2015
Med's Done....
27-06-2015 --> Uploaded 30-06-2015 --> TLU 04-07-2015
Passport Req..
Request --> 14-07-15 PP submitted --> 03-08-15
VISA ISSUED...
Received pp with Maple Leaf :)
LANDED..........
Soon...
Mazharbari said:
Thank you, I have sent 4 photos in which two of them have stamp of studio, date picture was taken, name and DOB while two pictures without any detail. Do you think it's ok?
Don't worry. I think you should be fine :)
 

aathar

Star Member
Feb 25, 2015
55
5
Category........
Visa Office......
London Visa Office
NOC Code......
2172
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Hello
Thanks for the Operational Bulletin. It was worth a read and cleared the air. No where on the internet could I find any relevant information but this.

Can anyone please guide me exactly how many photographs do I send?

In the email it says 4 photos, on the pdf link it says 2 photos and in the Document Checklist, it asks for 6 photographs.

I have the photographer stamp and date on 2 photographs. Do I just add my name and DOB in those 2 and then submit 2 more blank photographs (Without anything written on the backside) ???

Can somebody please guide me?

Thanks
 

dems

Hero Member
Apr 30, 2014
320
5
Category........
Visa Office......
LVO
NOC Code......
2131
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
Sep. 29, 2014
Doc's Request.
photo request - 6-Feb-15
Nomination.....
PER: 9-Jan-15
File Transfer...
SLU updated 26Aug15, upto 5th Line update - 29Aug15
Med's Request
04-Sep-15
Med's Done....
14-Sep-15, except for our new born MR received 27Oct15
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
11-Nov-15
VISA ISSUED...
7-Dec-15
LANDED..........
In God's Time
aathar said:
Hello
Thanks for the Operational Bulletin. It was worth a read and cleared the air. No where on the internet could I find any relevant information but this.

Can anyone please guide me exactly how many photographs do I send?

In the email it says 4 photos, on the pdf link it says 2 photos and in the Document Checklist, it asks for 6 photographs.

I have the photographer stamp and date on 2 photographs. Do I just add my name and DOB in those 2 and then submit 2 more blank photographs (Without anything written on the backside) ???


Can somebody please guide me?

Thanks
That's what i did when i resubmit photo last february. 2 Photos with photographers detail, date taken + name & DOB and other 2 photos i keep it blank...
 

aathar

Star Member
Feb 25, 2015
55
5
Category........
Visa Office......
London Visa Office
NOC Code......
2172
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
dems said:
That's what i did when i resubmit photo last february. 2 Photos with photographers detail, date taken + name & DOB and other 2 photos i keep it blank...
Thats what i think went wrong initially. Here is what i did when i submitted my application initially :
5 photographs with my name / dob and studio name (All Hand Written) and 1 blank.

I think they didn't like the initial idea. :(

When did you send your photographs? Did you hear anything from them? Did they accept your idea of sending 2 photos with photographer details and two blank ones?
 

dems

Hero Member
Apr 30, 2014
320
5
Category........
Visa Office......
LVO
NOC Code......
2131
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
Sep. 29, 2014
Doc's Request.
photo request - 6-Feb-15
Nomination.....
PER: 9-Jan-15
File Transfer...
SLU updated 26Aug15, upto 5th Line update - 29Aug15
Med's Request
04-Sep-15
Med's Done....
14-Sep-15, except for our new born MR received 27Oct15
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
11-Nov-15
VISA ISSUED...
7-Dec-15
LANDED..........
In God's Time
aathar said:
Thats what i think went wrong initially. Here is what i did when i submitted my application initially :
5 photographs with my name / dob and studio name (All Hand Written) and 1 blank.

I think they didn't like the initial idea. :(

When did you send your photographs? Did you hear anything from them? Did they accept your idea of sending 2 photos with photographer details and two blank ones?

I just keep by faith that the photos i submitted is fine, and many applicants is also doing the same. After that i did not hear anything from them so i assume its already fine.. Where did you find the idea that you have to send 5 photos and only 1 is blank? Anyhow maybe the VO is not particular how many you will send as long as it is as per specification. we are all safe..
 

aathar

Star Member
Feb 25, 2015
55
5
Category........
Visa Office......
London Visa Office
NOC Code......
2172
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
dems said:
I just keep by faith that the photos i submitted is fine, and many applicants is also doing the same. After that i did not hear anything from them so i assume its already fine.. Where did you find the idea that you have to send 5 photos and only 1 is blank? Anyhow maybe the VO is not particular how many you will send as long as it is as per specification. we are all safe..
Hi thanks, i also agree to the idea of sending only 4 photos (exactly how much they've asked in email) .... 2 with photographer stamp, date, my name and DOB... And two completely blank....

Kindly tell me one more thing, did you send the email printout that contains your UCI number? I mean, i can't just send the photographs without anything, right? What else did you send? Any letter or something like that?
 

dems

Hero Member
Apr 30, 2014
320
5
Category........
Visa Office......
LVO
NOC Code......
2131
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
Sep. 29, 2014
Doc's Request.
photo request - 6-Feb-15
Nomination.....
PER: 9-Jan-15
File Transfer...
SLU updated 26Aug15, upto 5th Line update - 29Aug15
Med's Request
04-Sep-15
Med's Done....
14-Sep-15, except for our new born MR received 27Oct15
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
11-Nov-15
VISA ISSUED...
7-Dec-15
LANDED..........
In God's Time
aathar said:
Hi thanks, i also agree to the idea of sending only 4 photos (exactly how much they've asked in email) .... 2 with photographer stamp, date, my name and DOB... And two completely blank....

Kindly tell me one more thing, did you send the email printout that contains your UCI number? I mean, i can't just send the photographs without anything, right? What else did you send? Any letter or something like that?
I just make cover letter containing my uci no and my details. You can do it also there is no harm even you can attach the email if you like.
 

dubaiexpat

Full Member
Dec 3, 2014
44
3
Dubai
Category........
Visa Office......
LVO
NOC Code......
0111
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
16-09-2014
Nomination.....
CC charge: 03/12/2014
AOR Received.
PER: 31/12/2014
IELTS Request
sent with the application
File Transfer...
PCC, RPRF, Schedule A, Info Chart & PP copies 28/07/2015
Med's Request
24/07/2015
Med's Done....
27/07/2015 DM Status: 21/9/2015
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
02 Oct 2015
VISA ISSUED...
12 Oct 2015
LANDED..........
soon
Anyone here received MR? There is one Sept 24 applicant on the other forum from LVO who received his MR