United Arab Emirates visa photo requirements for Indians
Indian passport holders applying for UAE tourist e-visa (ICP / GDRFA, usually filed via airline, hotel or agent); visa on arrival only for Indians holding a valid US visa/green card or UK/EU residence or visa need a photo that meets United Arab Emirates's rules. Below are the exact size, background and file rules from the official source, with a worked example and a checklist.
VERIFIED · OFFICIAL SOURCE · 17 OCT 2026
United Arab Emirates photo rules at a glance
What the photo should look like
Drawn to the official measurements where they are published.
Head: close-up of head and top of shoulders; face covers 70-80% of photo.
Full United Arab Emirates visa photo requirements
| Route for Indians | UAE tourist e-visa (ICP / GDRFA, usually filed via airline, hotel or agent); visa on arrival only for Indians holding a valid US visa/green card or UK/EU residence or visa |
|---|---|
| Printed photo size (mm) | 35 x 40 |
| Digital size (pixels) | Not stated by the official source |
| File format | Not stated by the official source |
| File size | Not stated by the official source |
| Background | plain, light-coloured |
| Head / face size | close-up of head and top of shoulders; face covers 70-80% of photo |
| How recent | not more than 6 months old |
| Glasses | eyes clearly visible; no flash reflection on lenses; no tinted lenses; frames must not cover any part of the eyes |
| Head covering | not permitted except for religious reasons |
| Expression and pose | looking at the camera, neutral expression, mouth closed |
| Copies | Not stated by the official source |
Other official rules
- high resolution, printed on high-quality paper (for printed photos)
- even lighting, no shadows or red-eye
- no hair covering the eyes; both edges of face visible
Do and avoid
Built from the official rules and the rejection reasons the source lists.
Do
- Use a plain, light-coloured background
- looking at the camera, neutral expression, mouth closed
- Use a photo not more than 6 months old
- high resolution, printed on high-quality paper (for printed photos)
- even lighting, no shadows or red-eye
- no hair covering the eyes; both edges of face visible
Avoid
- Photos that do not meet the standards may be rejected automatically by the system
- eyes clearly visible; no flash reflection on lenses; no tinted lenses; frames must not cover any part of the eyes
Worked example: getting the photo right first time
A 35 × 40 mm print at 300 DPI is 413 × 472 pixels. At 600 DPI it is 826 × 944 pixels. Ask the studio for exactly 35 × 40 mm, not "passport size".
How to make your photo in 5 steps
- Stand against a plain wall with even light, or visit a photo studio
- Crop to 35 × 40 mm
- Check the background is plain
- Export
- Run the Krosz photo checker before you submit
Free tools: passport photo maker · photo checker · photo resizer
Frequently asked questions
What is the United Arab Emirates visa photo size for Indians?
The official source gives 35 x 40 mm for a printed photo.
What background colour is needed for a United Arab Emirates visa photo?
Plain, light-coloured.
Can I use my Indian passport photo (35 × 45 mm) for United Arab Emirates?
Not as it is. United Arab Emirates asks for 35 × 40 mm, which is different from the 35 × 45 mm Indian passport size, so get a print made at the United Arab Emirates size.
How old can the photo be?
Not more than 6 months old.
Can I wear glasses in my United Arab Emirates visa photo?
eyes clearly visible; no flash reflection on lenses; no tinted lenses; frames must not cover any part of the eyes
Where do these rules come from?
From ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security), Personal Photo Specifications, checked by the Krosz visa desk on 17 Oct 2026. Requirements can change, so the official page always has the final word.
Source and verification
Official source: ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security), Personal Photo Specifications
Checked by the Krosz visa desk on 17 Oct 2026 · confidence: medium.
Krosz is a private visa service and is not affiliated with any government. Rules change; the authority's own page always has the final word.
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