Tag script in photo while applying for a visa

hello guys, we are planning to come back to Vung Tau and therefore I am in the process of applying for tourist visa but this morning I keep on getting the message "tag script" every time I wish to upload the passport photo.
Do you understand what is going on there and how to remedy that ?
I try taking a photo of the passport with my mobile phone Samsung A16 and also to use my Epson scanner to get a scan of the passport but in both case the jpeg file (under 2MB size always) is rejected with the error message "tag script"...
I have no idea what is a "tag script" and how it could be in the photo jpeg file....
Thanks for your help - @rogergarinmichaud

Hi, rogergarinmichaud. Good to hear from you again.

Hmm, "tag script". That's a brand new one for me.

Sorry I can't offer a definitive solution, but here's what I got from Google's AI. Not too complicated or time consuming, so definitely worth a try.

AI Overview

Uploading your passport and portrait photos is notoriously the most frustrating part of the Official Vietnam E-visa Portal. The website has strict, unbending background criteria and automated file checks that often reject uploads without telling you why.

Follow this quick troubleshooting checklist to bypass the upload errors:

1. Check the File Type & Size Limits

The portal will immediately fail or freeze if your files do not fit strict dimensions:

Format: You must use .JPG or .JPEG. Do not upload .PNG, .HEIC (Apple format), or .PDF files.

Passport Page Size: Must be under 2048 KB (2 MB).Portrait Photo Size: Must be under 1024 KB (1 MB).

File Names: Name your files something very basic (e.g., passport.jpg or portrait.jpg). Do not use spaces or special characters (#, @, _, -) in the filename, as this crashes the system.

2. Fix the Passport Bio-Page Image

Show the Full Page: The image must show the entire data page, including all four corners.

Do Not Crop the ICAO Lines: The two lines of text containing arrows (<<<<) at the very bottom of your passport must be completely visible and straight.

Eliminate Glare: Flash reflection over your passport photo or numbers will trigger an automatic error. Take the photo in a well-lit room without using your phone's camera flash.

3. Fix the Portrait Photo

Do Not Crop Your Passport Photo: The system uses automated AI matching. If you crop your portrait straight out of your passport bio-page scan, it will fail. You must upload a completely different, standalone photo.

Background: Must be solid, plain white. Gray, off-white, patterned, or textured backgrounds will be rejected.

Appearance: Look straight ahead, keep a neutral expression (no smiling), ensure your ears show, and take off your glasses (even prescription ones).

4. Try the "Screenshot Bypass" & Switch Browsers

If your files seem perfect but still won't upload, the website's session script is likely bugged. Travelers frequently solve this by using these browser workarounds:

The Screenshot Trick: Open your photo on your computer or phone, take a clean screenshot of it, crop out the edges, and save that new file as a .jpg. This resets metadata that might be confusing the server.

Switch Browsers: The site works best on desktop Google Chrome. Avoid using Safari, mobile phone browsers, or tablets, which frequently fail during the document attachment phase.

The "File has script tag, please try again" error is a specific security alert triggered by the official Vietnam E-visa Portal.

This happens because modern smartphones embed complex hidden metadata, location tags, and device scripts directly into your photo files. The Vietnam immigration site flags this data as a potential hacking risk and blocks the upload completely.

The visual data in the file looks fine, but the hidden code inside the file is causing the system to crash.

Follow these options to strip the hidden script data and bypass the blocker immediately:

Solution 1: The Messenger App Reset (Fastest & Most Reliable)

Send the passport photo to yourself or a friend via an encrypted messaging app, then download it back onto your device.

Open WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Signal.

Send the passport photo file in a chat window.

Open the sent message, click the image, and select Save / Download Image.

Upload this newly downloaded version to the visa site.

Why it works: Messaging apps automatically wipe 100% of hidden script tags, camera metadata, and tracking codes to protect user privacy. It leaves a clean, compressed image the visa portal will accept.

Solution 2: The Desktop Screenshot Loophole

If you are filling out the application on a computer, use your operating system's native capture tool.

Open your passport photo on your screen so it is clearly visible.

If using Windows, press Windows Key + Shift + S to launch the Snipping Tool. If using a Mac, press Command + Shift + 4.

Drag the cursor box tightly around your passport data page, ensuring you capture all four outer corners and the bottom text lines.

Save that snapshot directly as a .jpg file.

Why it works: A screenshot creates a brand-new file from scratch that contains zero original device history, resetting the server upload script.

Solution 3: Change Browsers

The portal’s form handler scripts frequently crash on Safari and mobile phone browsers when managing image metadata.

Switch over to a desktop computer and use Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome to complete the application.

rogergarinmichaud, please give those a try. As this is a new error being reported to the expat.com Vietnam forum, we'd certainly appreciate hearing back from you on this.

Good luck, and hope to hear of your success soon.

Hello, a simple trick is to open the file picture in your computer and save it as PNG file. Another trick is to take an screenshot and save the screenshot as another file. I hope you are not using Safari browser, use Firefox instead. Good luck

Hello, a simple trick is to open the file picture in your computer and save it as PNG file. Another trick is to take an screenshot and save the screenshot as another file. I hope you are not using Safari browser, use Firefox instead. Good luck - @ajairon

I don't think a .PNG file will be accepted.

From the eVisa application...

*Foreigner's images

Photo of the person requesting an electronic visa (newly taken, photo size 4x6 cm, jpg, jpeg format, size <2MB, straight face, no hat, no glasses, formal clothes, white background). Only upload 1 passport data page, upload clear photos, no lost corners *

@Aidan in HCMC

Yep, Jpeg most definitely.

Oh, ok, no PNG format permitted, so I change my previous instructions as follows; the idea is to replace any new versioned tags in the metadata of the file; a simple trick is to open the picture in your computer and save it as new JPG file. Another trick is open the file, take a screenshot  and save it as new JPG file. I hope you are not using Safari browser, try Firefox instead. Good luck

Just to clarify, the photograph of the passport is one thing.

The individual passport size photo is a separate issue.

Do not crop your individual passport size photo from the photo of your passport.

That will definitely be rejected.

The individual passport sized photo should be fresh within the past 6 months.

FWIW