UAE passport photo size
A UAE passport or Emirates ID photo is 35 × 45 mm on a white background with the face taking 70–80% of the photo, no more than 6 months old and not identical to the photo on your current document. Visa services ask for a larger 4 × 6 cm photo. Export one print or a 4 × 6 in sheet.
- Document
- Passport and Emirates ID
- Photo size
- 35 × 45 mm (35–40 mm wide accepted)
- Chin to crown
- 70–80% of the height
- Background
- White
- Photo age
- No more than 6 months old, and not identical to the photo on your current passport or ID
- Print export
- 413 × 531 px at 300 ppi, 8 copies per 4 × 6 in sheet
Passport and Emirates ID applications take a 35 × 45 mm print; biometrics are taken at ICP centres from age 15. Visa services ask for a larger 4 × 6 cm photo.
A recent ICAO-compliant print on photo-quality paper at high resolution, no frame; edited or filtered photos are not accepted.
Official requirements — Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)
Place the crown and chin at the guide lines and the eyes in the band when one is shown. The oval is an approximate placement guide, not a face measurement or approval check.
This authority publishes no head height: keep the face centred with space above the head and the shoulders visible.
UAE passport photo dimensions
The ICP Services Guide 2024 asks for a personal photo of 4.5 × 3.5 cm with a white background, recent and ICAO compliant, photo width 35–40 mm, eyes open, no frame, and hands not above the shoulders. The 35 × 40 mm figure circulated by UAE press in 2022 is not what the current guide states.
Framing and print quality
The 2021 leaflet frames a close-up of the head and top of the shoulders so the face takes 70–80% of the photo, in sharp focus with natural skin tones, uniform lighting and no shadows, flash reflections or red-eye, printed on photo-quality paper at high resolution with no ink marks or creases.
Emirates ID and visas
Emirates ID photos must comply with ICAO, and biometrics are taken at ICP centres for ages 15 and over. Visa services in the same guide ask for a recent personal photo with a white background measuring 4 × 6 cm, larger than the passport and ID photo. Edited or filtered photos are not accepted.
Glasses, head coverings and expression
Only medical glasses, not covering any part of the eyes, with no tint or flash reflection; no sunglasses. Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the face from chin to forehead and both edges clearly shown. Neutral expression, mouth closed, face straight, head not tilted.
How to take a valid photo
The shared ICAO points first, then what this authority adds.
- Have someone else take the photo at eye level from a few steps away; most authorities reject selfies.
- Face the camera straight on with your head level, both eyes open, mouth closed and a neutral expression.
- Light the face evenly: no shadows on the face or the background, no flash reflections, no red-eye.
- Keep the photo as taken: no filters, retouching, background replacement or AI edits.
- Only you in the frame, nothing covering the face, hair away from the eyes, no uniform.
- Leave space around the head and shoulders so the crop can follow the guide.
- Only medical glasses, not covering any part of the eyes, with no tint or flash reflection; no sunglasses.
- Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the face from chin to forehead and both edges clearly shown.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, face straight, head not tilted, hands not above the shoulders.
- Natural skin tones, uniform lighting, no shadows, reflections or red-eye, no ink marks or creases.
Official sources
Requirements checked on 27 October 2026 against the official pages below. The issuing authority makes the acceptance decision; nothing on this page certifies a photo.
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)
- Online application requirements
To compare formats, see passport photo sizes by country.
Related free photo tools
- Free toolPassport photo size by countryCompare passport photo sizes and official application rules for 40 countries. Align a private head guide; export prints, 4 × 6 in sheets and upload files where the authority allows it.
- Free toolUS passport photo for paper applicationsCrop a US passport photo for a paper application, a DV entry or a DS-160 upload: 600 × 600 JPG under 240 KB, a 2 × 2 inch PDF or a 4 × 6 in sheet, with a head guide.
- Free toolVietnam passport photo sizeVietnamese passport photos are 4 × 6 cm on white, taken within 6 months, no glasses, both ears visible; the e-Visa takes a 4 × 6 cm JPG under 2 MB. Crop a print or the upload.
- Free toolArgentina passport photoArgentine passports and DNIs use a photo captured at the RENAPER appointment, so there is nothing to crop. Some consulates ask for a 4 × 4 cm print; read the rules.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a UAE passport photo?
35 × 45 mm on a white background, with 35–40 mm width accepted. Visas take 4 × 6 cm.
Can I reuse the photo from my current passport?
No. The ICP FAQ asks for a recent photo not identical to the one on your current passport or ID.
Can I wear glasses?
Only medical glasses that do not cover the eyes, without tint or reflection. No sunglasses.
Is the 35 × 40 mm size still valid?
No. That figure came from a 2022 press circular; the current ICP guide states 4.5 × 3.5 cm with a width of 35–40 mm.