United Arab Emirates Biometric Photo Size
40×60 mm, ICAO 9303
Author: Murat Duru
Founder of PhotoID Studio: biometric photo software
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How should a United Arab Emirates passport photo look?
The United Arab Emirates uses a single format for passport, Emirates ID, residence visa and tourist visa: 40×60 mm on a white background. The "UAE blue background" claim circulating in some studios is a vendor myth; the spec published by ICP requires a white backdrop. National dress (kandura for men, abaya/shayla for women) is accepted as long as it does not cover the face.
Photo Size
40×60 mm
Head Ratio
70%
Eye Position
56% from bottom
Top Margin
3-5 mm
Background Color
White
Standard
ICAO 9303
Requirements & Notes
UAE passport photo is 40×60 mm. White background required. Must comply with ICA standards.
The bodies that set the spec
The standard is published by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP); passport, Emirates ID, residence visa and tourist visa share the same spec. The photo must be submitted within six months of the capture date. There is no separate citizen / foreigner format: everyone uses the same 40×60 mm white-background frame.
Workflow after the shoot
The frame is sent to PhotoID Studio and the UAE preset is selected; the app aligns the face, cleans the background to pure white, and exports 40×60 mm at 300 DPI. Two copies are laid out automatically on 10×15 cm paper and the print goes to the printer with one click. If a Saudi or Schengen format is needed from the same frame, the preset is simply switched.
Capture setup and direction
Seat the customer 1.5-2 m in front of the white backdrop with shoulders parallel to the camera. Camera on a tripod, lens at eye level. Standard setup: a 50-85 mm portrait lens, f/8 aperture, a softbox at 45° with a reflector on the opposite side. Cue: "chin slightly back, mouth closed, eyes fully open, neutral expression". Kandura or abaya/shayla are accepted as long as the face is not covered; medical glasses are allowed if the eyes remain clearly visible.
Reasons for rejection at ICP and visa centres
• A non-white backdrop: blue, grey or cream backgrounds are rejected. • A niqab or face cover on a female applicant; facial features (chin, forehead, cheeks) must remain fully visible. • Hair, forehead or face line covered under the hijab. • A frame older than six months from the capture date. • Glasses glare or tinted lenses. • A kandura or gutra hiding the line of the head; a headscarf covering the ears entirely. • A smile, visible teeth, or an open mouth. • Head too small in the frame; a wide portrait cropped from a phone shot.
Used For
- Passport
- Emirates ID
- Visa
- Residence permit
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Frequently asked questions
- Should a UAE passport photo have a blue background?
No. The ICP spec requires a white background. The "blue background" claim is a vendor myth and does not appear in any official specification.
- Can the photo be taken in a kandura or abaya?
Yes. National dress is accepted, provided the facial features (chin, forehead, cheeks) remain fully visible. A niqab and any cover that hides the face are rejected.
- Is the same photo enough for the passport and Emirates ID?
Yes. The same 40×60 mm white-background print is used for passport, Emirates ID, residence and tourist visa applications.
- Can the photo be taken with medical glasses?
Yes: provided the eyes remain clearly visible with no reflection on the lens. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are banned.
Create United Arab Emirates Biometric Photos
Creating United Arab Emirates-compliant photos with PhotoID Studio takes just seconds. Get professional results with AI face detection and automatic background removal.