UAE and Dubai Visa Photo Size: No Exact Size Given; 35 × 45 mm Fits ICP's 35–40 mm Width
Official rules: not stated exactly, background: plain white. Source: icp.gov.ae, checked 6 Oct 2026.
UAE Visa photo size at a glance
The UAE Visa photo size is not stated exactly in the official rules; use a plain white background.
| Printed size | Not one size: it is not stated exactly |
|---|---|
| In other units (a conversion) | For UAE passports and ID cards: 35 × 45 mm · 3.5 × 4.5 cm · 1.38 × 1.77 in · 413 × 531 px at 300 DPI · 827 × 1063 px at 600 DPI · ratio 7:9 |
| Pixels (official rule) | Not stated exactly: ICP's photo sheet says 35–40 mm wide, its services guide gives visa photos only as "4/6", and passports and ID cards use 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| File size | Not stated in the official rules |
| Background | Plain white |
| Head size | 70% to 80% of the photo height, chin to top of head |
| Source | icp.gov.ae |
| Checked | 6 Oct 2026 |
What the official pages say about the UAE Visa photo
The UAE's identity and citizenship authority (ICP) publishes a one-page sheet of personal photo specifications, with pictures of what goes wrong. Each bad example has a label, among them: too close, too far away, blurred, ink-marked or creased, looking away, unnatural skin tones, too dark, too light, washed-out colour, pixelated, hair across the eyes, eyes closed, a tilted or portrait-style pose, a busy background, shadows, red eye, a hat or cap, a covered face, another person in the picture, and an open mouth with a toy near the face.
The sheet asks for a photo no more than 6 months old and 35 to 40 mm wide, a close-up of your head and the top of your shoulders, with your face taking up 70 to 80% of it. If you wear glasses, your eyes must show clearly, with no flash on the lenses, no tinted lenses and no frames over your eyes; lighter frames are better than heavy ones. Religious head coverings are the only ones allowed, and they must leave the whole face visible, edges included. The sheet does not say how to send the photo.
Sources, checked 21 Oct 2026: Personal Photo Specifications (ICP), Frequently asked questions (ICP), Single-entry tourist visa (GDRFA Dubai) and Tourist visa (UAE government portal).
How to make your UAE Visa photo
- Stand about an arm's length from the camera in front of a plain wall (plain white). Face a window for soft, even light.
- Add the photo on this page. It stays on your device.
- Drag and zoom until your face fills the green oval: top of the head on the top line, chin on the bottom line.
- Download the photo. The pixels, file size and format are checked before you save it.
- Upload it to the official application.
Questions and answers
What size is the UAE Visa photo?
The size is not stated exactly. For UAE passports and ID cards, it is 35 × 45 mm. The official rules do not fix a pixel size. SafeResize makes a sharp 413 × 531 pixel file that fits every other rule.
What is the UAE Visa photo size in cm and inches?
The size is not stated exactly. For UAE passports and ID cards, the size is 35 × 45 mm, which is 3.5 × 4.5 cm or 1.38 × 1.77 inches, in a 7:9 shape. Printed at 300 DPI it is 413 × 531 pixels, and at 600 DPI 827 × 1063 pixels. Check the official page you apply through for its size.
What file size does the UAE Visa photo need to be?
The official rules do not state a file size. SafeResize shows the size of your file before you download it, so you can compare it with what the application screen asks for.
What background colour does the UAE Visa photo need?
Plain white. Stand in front of a plain wall with no pattern, and face a window so there are no shadows behind you. If your wall is not plain enough, the photo maker on this page can make the background white with an AI that runs on your device. Check the edges around your hair afterwards.
How big should my head be in the UAE Visa photo?
From the chin to the top of the head, your head should fill 70% to 80% of the photo height. The face guide in the tool shows both lines.
Can I wear glasses in my UAE Visa photo?
The official rules say: ICP's FAQ allows only medical glasses that do not cover the eyes; its photo sheet adds no tinted lenses, no flash on the lenses and no frames over the eyes. No sunglasses or hats.
Is the UAE Visa photo the same for Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani applicants?
Yes. The photo rules on icp.gov.ae do not change with nationality, so Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani applicants follow the same ones. Which visa you can apply for does depend on your nationality, and a visa centre in your country may add its own checklist.
What size is a Dubai visa photo?
GDRFA Dubai's tourist visa pages ask only for one personal photo and give no size or file limit. ICP's photo specification sheet asks for a photo 35 to 40 mm wide, with your face filling 70 to 80% of it, so a 35 × 45 mm photo meets that width.
Is the Dubai (GDRFA) visa photo different from the ICP photo for the other emirates?
We found no official size difference. GDRFA's visa pages ask for a personal photo, and ICP's FAQ asks for a colour photo with a white background that meets international (ICAO) standards.
Can I wear a headscarf or a hat in my UAE visa photo?
ICP's photo sheet allows a head covering only for religious reasons, with your face showing from chin to forehead and both edges of the face visible. ICP's FAQ says no hats and no sunglasses.
My airline or hotel is applying for my UAE visa. Are the photo rules different?
The UAE government portal says airlines, licensed travel agents and hotels apply for the visa on your behalf to the official visa authorities. We found no official page that sets separate photo rules for these routes.
What else do the UAE Visa photo rules say?
Colour, sharp, under 6 months old. Face the camera straight on, eyes open, neutral face, mouth closed. Only you in the photo. No shadows, flash glare or red-eye. ICP's FAQ allows only medical glasses that do not cover the eyes; its photo sheet adds no tinted lenses, no flash on the lenses and no frames over the eyes. No sunglasses or hats. Religious head covering only, with chin to forehead and both face edges showing.
Which file format should I use?
Not stated (JPG is safest). SafeResize saves a JPG (JPEG) file.
Can I take this photo at home?
Yes. A photo taken at home is fine if it follows the rules above. It is easier if someone else takes it for you.
Is my photo uploaded to SafeResize?
No. The photo is processed inside your browser and never leaves your phone or computer.
Please note: ICP's services guide gives the visa photo size only as "4/6", with no unit, and GDRFA Dubai gives no size; ICP's photo sheet asks for a photo 35–40 mm wide, which 35 × 45 mm meets. The 43 × 55 mm size seen online is not on any ICP or GDRFA page, so follow what your application screen asks for.
Source: icp.gov.ae, checked 6 Oct 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on the official page before you apply.
More tools for this photo
- Resize a photo to 3.5 × 4.5 cm (35 × 45 mm) the same size from any photo, without the face guide
- Passport photo 4 × 6 template several copies on one 4 × 6 inch print
- Check my file test your file against these rules before you upload it
Related photo rules
- UAE Residence visa / Emirates ID Residence visa / Emirates ID
- Israel eVisa-B2 / visitor visa also in the Middle East
- Jordan e-Visa also in the Middle East
- Kuwait e-Visa also in the Middle East
- Oman eVisa also in the Middle East
Related photo sizes
- Qatar Hayya e-Visa / entry permit 30 × 40 mm
- Saudi Arabia Tourist e-Visa 200 × 200 pixels
- Singapore Visa 35 × 45 mm
- US Visa 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 pixels
- Australia Visa 35 × 45 mm
- Canada Visa 35 × 45 mm