UAE passport photo rules set by the ICP
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) sets the photo specification used for the UAE passport. The current rules trace back to the ICP Personal Photo Specifications and were tightened by a February 2022 ICP circular that standardised a plain white background for every applicant, including UAE nationals photographed in white national dress. The same 35×45 mm portrait is used across ICP Smart Services workflows, which means the photo you prepare for the passport also covers Emirates ID and ICP-handled residence and visa applications.
ICP requires a recent colour photograph (no older than six months), taken square on to the camera, with a neutral expression, the mouth closed, and the eyes open and clearly visible. The face must occupy roughly 70 to 80 percent of the frame, with both edges of the face shown and uniform lighting that leaves no shadows on the face or background. Photos that do not meet these requirements are rejected by ICP Smart Services on upload, and prints that arrive creased, ink-marked, or low-resolution are turned away at the counter.
UAE passport photo requirements set by the ICP
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) sets the rules below for what the subject must look like in the final photograph.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionThe ICP requires a strictly neutral expression. Smiling, frowning, and raised eyebrows are listed as rejection causes.
- Mouth closedThe mouth must be closed with teeth not visible.
- Eyes open and forwardBoth eyes must be fully open, unobstructed, and looking directly into the lens.
- Square to cameraFace and shoulders must be square to the camera. Looking over one shoulder, tilting the head, or any portrait-style pose is rejected by the ICP.
- Shoulders visibleBoth shoulders must be visible and level, with the top of the shoulders included in the frame.
Eyewear & lenses
- Prescription glassesClear prescription glasses are permitted only if the eyes are fully visible with no reflection on the lenses. Frames must not cover any part of the eyes.
- Frame weightThe ICP instructs applicants to avoid heavy frames and to wear lighter framed glasses where possible.
- Tinted lensesTinted lenses and sunglasses are prohibited.
- Contact lensesClear prescription contact lenses are permitted. Cosmetic or coloured contact lenses that alter the natural appearance of the iris are not permitted.
Hair
- Eyes and eyebrows clearHair must not fall across the eyes or obscure the eyebrows. The ICP lists hair across the eyes as a rejection cause.
- Facial edges visibleBoth edges of the face must be clearly visible. Hair must not obscure the jawline or facial contour.
- Bangs and fringesBangs and fringes are permitted provided they do not cover the eyes or eyebrows.
- Wigs and hairpiecesWigs and hairpieces are permitted when they reflect the applicant’s normal everyday appearance.
Headwear
- Hats and capsHats, caps, and other non-religious head coverings are not permitted.
- Religious and cultural coveringsReligious and national dress including the Hijab, Shayla, Abaya, Ghutra, and Agal are permitted. The entire face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead must remain visible, and both edges of the face must be clear.
- Headwear appearancePermitted head coverings should be plain and a single colour, without patterns, and must not cast shadows onto the face.
Jewelry & accessories
- Earrings and necklacesSubtle earrings and necklaces are permitted provided they do not obscure facial features or produce reflections.
- Facial piercingsFacial piercings are permitted if they do not distort the facial outline or create glare.
- Headphones and earpiecesHeadphones, wireless earbuds, and visible microphones are not permitted in the photograph.
Cosmetics
- Natural appearanceMakeup must look natural. Heavy contouring that alters facial geometry triggers rejection by the ICP.
- False eyelashesFalse eyelashes that cast shadows or obscure the eyes are not permitted.
- Permanent makeup and tattoosPermanent makeup and facial tattoos that represent the applicant’s normal appearance are permitted.
Clothing
- ModestyShoulders must be covered. Sleeveless tops and thin straps are commonly rejected.
- UniformsMilitary, police, and other official uniforms are not permitted unless the applicant is applying for a document that specifically requires uniformed identification.
- National dressUAE citizens may wear the white Kandura against the white background; ICP biometric processing accepts this combination for nationals in national dress.
Photo quality
- Red-eyeRed-eye is a rejection cause and must be eliminated by retaking the photograph rather than by digital correction.
- Facial shadowsShadows cast across the face, including shadows from headwear, are listed by the ICP as a rejection cause.
- SharpnessThe subject must be in sharp focus. Motion blur caused by the subject moving will be rejected.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 36 mm and 40 mm (roughly 60–66% of the photo height).
- Top margin (from the top of the head to the top edge): 2–6 mm.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame, with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Shoulders must be square to the camera and both visible. No three-quarter angles or rotated torso.
- The full face, from chin to crown, must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
How recent the photo must be.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Photos for infants and young children.
The ICP applies the standard adult rules to all applicants, with practical leniency for infants in line with ICAO biometric guidance for very young subjects.
Infants (under 12 months)
Expression, gaze, and pose tolerances are relaxed for infants. The framing and subject-isolation rules are still enforced.
- ExpressionA strictly neutral expression is not required. A slightly open mouth is accepted.
- EyesEyes do not need to be fully open for infants.
- PoseMinor deviations from a perfectly square frontal pose are accepted, provided the face is clearly visible and forward-facing.
- Alone in frameNo hands, pacifiers, toys, or other people may appear in the photograph. The ICP explicitly rejects photographs containing these elements.
- Recommended setupLay the infant flat on a plain white sheet and photograph from directly above.
Country-specific details to know.
A few rules are specific to the UAE and worth flagging separately.
White Kandura exception
UAE citizens wearing the white Kandura are photographed against the standard white background. The previous light-blue or grey background allowance for nationals in white national dress was abolished by an ICP circular in February 2022.
Photo recency
The photograph must be no more than six months old. A new photograph is required after any significant change in appearance such as facial surgery, major weight change, or facial trauma, even if the existing photo is still within the six-month window.
Size varies by document
The 35 by 45 mm size applies to Emirates ID and ICP-handled residence and visa applications. UAE passport submissions and consular visa applications use different print sizes, so confirm the size required by the specific document before printing.
Automated ICP screening
Submissions through ICP Smart Services pass through automated geometry, face-presence, and background checks. Photographs that fail any of these checks are rejected before reaching a human reviewer.
As easy as snap, upload, done.
You take a quick picture. We do the spec work and tell you immediately if anything needs a retake.
Free to check. You only pay when you keep it.
Print & paper standards.
If you submit a printed photo with a paper application, the print itself has to meet acceptance-facility standards in addition to the rules above.
- Professional photo-quality paper with a matte finish.
- Inkjet printing is not accepted. Use a professional photo lab.
- No visible pixels, banding, dithering, or printer artifacts.
- The print must be undamaged: no creases, holes, smudges, staples, or pinholes.
- Do not write on the back of the photo.