Saudi Arabia
Photo requirements for passports, visas, and ID cards. Includes dimensions, background rules, and biometric requirements for 3 document types.
Helpful pages for document photos in Saudi Arabia
Use these pages to move from country-level requirements to a specific document format, troubleshooting help, and print guidance.
Main document requirements
Open the main document requirements page for this country to see dimensions, background rules, and face-position guidance.
Why photos get rejected
Fix the most common background, framing, and expression problems.
Passport Photo Size Guide
Compare this country's dimensions with other common formats.
How to print passport photos
Print at home or at a pharmacy without scaling errors.
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.
See the full 40 × 60 mm §t:9708b422§ specifications for exact dimensions, face position, and background rules.
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.
Learn more about common passport photo rejection reasons and how to fix them, or check our passport photo size guide for a global comparison.
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.
For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our DIY passport photo guide or learn how to print passport photos at home.
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