United Arab Emirates
Photo requirements for passports, visas, and ID cards. Includes dimensions, background rules, and biometric requirements for 4 document types.
Helpful pages for document photos in United Arab Emirates
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 official documents in the United Arab Emirates, meeting the strict standards set by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) is essential. Whether you are renewing your Emirates ID or applying for a visa, your passport photo must adhere to specific technical criteria to ensure biometric recognition. Understanding these UAE passport photo guidelines is the first step toward a successful application and avoiding unnecessary processing delays.
The mandatory size for an official UAE photo is 40 × 60 mm for passports and 43 × 55 mm for visas, featuring a plain white background without shadows or patterns. Applicants must maintain a neutral expression with eyes fully open and looking directly at the camera, avoiding any hair obstruction over the face. While glasses are generally discouraged to prevent glare, they are permitted if they do not obscure the eyes; head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons and must not cast shadows.
See the full 40 × 60 mm §t:2c2a5cef§ specifications for exact dimensions, face position, and background rules.
For online applications via the ICP portal or the UAE government website, you must provide a high-resolution digital copy of your photo. The file should typically be in JPEG format, ensuring the file size complies with the current system requirements, usually under 500KB. Applicants looking for a convenient way to ensure their digital file meets these precise biometric constraints can use idpic.app to verify their image before uploading it to the official government dashboard.
Common issues
The most frequent reasons for rejection in the UAE include improper lighting that creates shadows on the white background or an uneven head tilt. Many applicants also struggle with low-resolution files or photos where the facial features are blurred during the resizing process. Furthermore, wearing clothing that blends into the white backdrop or failing to maintain a completely neutral, closed-mouth expression frequently causes the automated verification system to flag the image for manual review.
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 you can visit a professional photo studio in major hubs like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, these services often cost between 30 and 100 AED. For a more efficient approach, many residents choose to take their own photos at home against a plain white wall using natural lighting. Ensure you stand at a sufficient distance to avoid lens distortion, and always double-check the 40x60mm dimensions for passports before printing or submitting your file digitally.
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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