Passport Photo — Saudi Arabia Requirements

Photo Dimensions

Size: 40 × 60 mm

Tips for Getting the Right Size

• Use idpic.app to automatically crop and resize your photo to the exact required dimensions — no manual calculation needed.
• Keep your face centred in the frame with your head fully visible from crown to chin.
• When printing, ensure you print at 100% scale (not "fit to page") to preserve the correct dimensions.
• Your face should fill the correct proportion of the photo. idpic.app shows a face guide overlay to help you position correctly.

Background Specification

Plain white or light grey background required. The background must be a single, uniform, light colour — either white or a neutral light grey. No patterns, gradients, or shadows.

How to Get the Right Background

• Stand at least 50 cm from the wall to prevent shadows falling on the background.
• Use even, diffuse lighting — a window or softbox pointed at the background helps.
• A plain white or light-coloured wall, a white sheet, or a dedicated photo backdrop all work well.
• Use idpic.app to automatically replace your background with the correct colour — no manual editing required.

Glasses requirements

Glasses are not allowed for this photo. This includes prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. Remove all eyewear before taking your photo. This is the official requirement for Saudi Arabia.

Tips for Taking Your Photo

• Remove all glasses — including prescription glasses — before taking the photo.
• Contact lenses are fine and do not need to be removed.
• If you wear glasses regularly, check that there are no indentations on your nose from the frames.

Common Rejection Reasons

• Wrong background. Saudi Arabia Passport photos require a plain Plain light background with no shadows, patterns, or objects. Retake the photo against a flat, evenly lit backdrop.
• Wearing glasses. Glasses are not permitted in Saudi Arabia Passport photos. Remove all eyewear before taking the photo.
• Face obscured by head covering. Religious head coverings are allowed, but your full face — from chin to forehead — must remain visible with no shadow cast on it.
• Face size out of range. Your face must fill between 70% and 80% of the photo height. Move closer to or further from the camera and recrop.
• Photo too old. Saudi Arabia Passport photos must be taken within the last 6 months. Take a new photo if yours is older.
• Low resolution or blurry. Your photo must be sharp and at least 300 pixels on its shortest side. Use good lighting and hold the camera steady.
• Shadows. Shadows across your face or on the background — often from overhead lighting or a nearby wall — are a common rejection reason. Use soft, even lighting from the front.
• Wrong expression. Smiling, frowning, closed eyes, or an open mouth can cause rejection. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open, looking directly at the camera.
• Wrong paper or printing. Home-printed photos on regular paper, or prints with a glossy coating that catches light, are often rejected. Print on quality matte photo paper at full size and 100% scale.

About photo requirements

When applying for a Saudi passport, adhering to the strict guidelines set by the General Directorate of Passports, known as Jawazat, is essential for a successful application. These regulations ensure that identification images are consistent with the high security standards maintained by the Ministry of Interior. By using a reliable tool like idpic.app, you can easily ensure your Saudi Arabia passport photo meets every official specification required for your travel documents.

The official Saudi passport photo size must be exactly 40x60mm with a plain light background (white or light grey). You must maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed and eyes looking directly at the camera. Glasses are generally discouraged as they often cause glare or shadows, and head coverings are permitted for women provided they do not obscure the facial features. Ensure the photo is recent, taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance accurately.

For online renewals, the Jawazat portal via the Absher platform requires a digital copy of your photograph. The file must be in JPEG format; check your country's official portal for exact file size limits. Ensure the image maintains sufficient resolution for clarity during the digital processing stage. Always preview your image on the Absher interface before final submission to confirm that your head is properly centred.

Common issues

The most frequent reasons for rejection in Saudi Arabia include poor lighting that creates shadows across the face or an incorrect background colour. Many applicants are rejected because their head covers obscure the chin or forehead, which is strictly prohibited by Jawazat standards. Additionally, using low-quality smartphone photos with improper cropping often leads to automatic system failures during the upload process on the Absher platform.

Local tips

While professional photo studios are widely available across major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, they can be expensive, often charging between 30 and 50 SAR. For a more convenient and cost-effective approach, you can take a high-quality photo at home against a plain wall and use idpic.app to resize it to the 40x60mm standard. Always print on high-quality matte photo paper if you are submitting physical copies at a local Jawazat office.

Baby and child photo rules

Children under 6 may have relaxed requirements for expression and eye position. Babies can be photographed lying on a white sheet or held upright. The child must be the only person in the photo — no hands, toys, or pacifiers should be visible.

Read our complete guide to baby passport photos