The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued an official advisory warning intending travelers and visa applicants against using artificial intelligence or digital editing tools to modify their passport photographs.

The mission stated explicitly that photos subjected to digital enhancements, retouching, or filters will not be accepted for visa processing.

In an official public notice released on its social media platforms, the mission emphasized that passport photographs must be recent, taken within the past six months, and provide an accurate, unaltered representation of the applicant.

The advisory underscored that border and security personnel, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, must be able to clearly verify the holder’s identity against the photograph.

The mission warned that submitting digitally altered or AI-enhanced images will lead to significant processing delays for visa applications. The notice was released alongside an informational graphic reiterating the strict adherence required for standard, unedited passport photo requirements.