Residence Permit Photo — Saudi Arabia Requirements
Photo size, background, and compliance rules — plus a free tool to create your photo instantly.
The official photo must be 40 × 60 mm. Required background: White. Face height must be 70–80% of the total photo height. Use the free tool below to create and check your photo instantly.
Create your photo now40 × 60 mm
Photo specifications
Dimensions
40 × 60 mm
Background
White
Face height
70–80%
of total photo height
Resolution
300 DPI
Glasses
Not allowed
Head covering
Allowed (religious)
Max photo age
6 months
Expression
Neutral expression (no smile)
Other document types in Saudi Arabia
Next steps and related guides
These related pages cover exact size rules, common rejection reasons, printing, and the editor.
Create this photo now
Open the editor with this country and document type preselected.
Why photos get rejected
Fix background, expression, and framing mistakes before you submit.
Passport photo size guide
Compare this format with 35 × 45 mm, 2 × 2 inches, and other common sizes.
How to print passport photos
Print the correct size without scaling errors or poor paper quality.
How to take your photo
- Set up the required background
Use a plain, evenly lit backdrop with no patterns, textures, or shadows. Required background: White. A plain wall or sheet works well.
- Get even, shadow-free lighting
Stand facing a natural light source or use two soft lights — one on each side — to eliminate shadows on your face and background.
- Position your face correctly
Your face must fill 70–80% of the photo height. Look directly at the camera. Remove any glasses before taking the photo.
- Check and download with idpic.app
Upload your photo to the free tool — it checks all requirements automatically and generates a print-ready file.
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
Pure white background required. The background must be completely white (#FFFFFF). Off-white, cream, or grey tones are not acceptable.
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 Residence Permit photos require a plain White 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 Residence Permit 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 Residence Permit 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.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the required photo size for a residence permit in Saudi Arabia?
- Required size: 40 × 60 mm. Minimum resolution: 300 pixels on the shortest side.
- What background is required for a residence permit in Saudi Arabia?
- Required background: White.
- Can I create a photo for a residence permit in Saudi Arabia online for free?
- Yes. idpic.app lets you create a compliant photo for free, entirely in your browser with no uploads.
- Are glasses allowed for a residence permit in Saudi Arabia?
- No. Glasses are not allowed in this photo. This is the official requirement for Saudi Arabia.
- What is the maximum photo age for a residence permit in Saudi Arabia?
- Your photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must reflect your current appearance.
- Can I take a photo for a residence permit in Saudi Arabia with my phone?
- Yes. Modern smartphones have sufficient resolution. Use the rear camera. Ensure good lighting. Then upload the photo to idpic.app so the tool can crop, resize, and validate it automatically.
- What resolution do I need for a photo for a residence permit in Saudi Arabia?
- The recommended resolution is 300 DPI. Any modern smartphone camera exceeds this requirement.
- Can I use a wall at home as the background?
- Yes, a plain white or light-coloured wall works well. Make sure there are no shadows behind you — stand a few steps away from the wall to avoid this. Even, diffuse lighting helps achieve a flat, uniform background.
- Will my photo be rejected for the wrong background?
- Yes. A background that is patterned, too dark, or contains shadows is a common reason for photo rejection. Use idpic.app to automatically remove and replace your background to meet official requirements.
- What if I need glasses for medical reasons?
- If you require glasses for medical reasons, contact the issuing authority directly. You may need to provide a signed statement from a medical professional.
- Why was my Saudi Arabia Residence Permit photo rejected?
- The most common reasons are an incorrect background color, glasses or head coverings that are not permitted, a face that is too large or too small in the frame, and a photo that is too old. Compare your photo against the checklist above to find the issue.
- How can I avoid my Saudi Arabia Residence Permit photo being rejected?
- Use idpic.app to automatically check your photo against the official Saudi Arabia Residence Permit requirements before you print or submit it. The tool flags background, size, and face positioning issues in seconds.
- What should I do if my Saudi Arabia Residence Permit photo was already rejected?
- Take a new photo that corrects the specific issue you were told about, or run it through the checklist above. Then check the official Saudi Arabia government portal for how to resubmit your application.
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