Free tool for this:UAE visa & Emirates ID photo maker
UAE visa and Emirates ID applications are checked by automated systems, and a photo that doesn't meet the rules is one of the most common reasons for delays. Here's what the portals ask for and how to make a photo that passes.
Photo sizes
| Application | Size |
|---|---|
| Dubai visa (GDRFA, online) | 300 × 369 pixels, JPG |
| Emirates ID / residence visa (ICP) | 35 × 40 mm (826 × 945 pixels), JPG |
| Printed visa photo | 43 × 55 mm |
You can make all three sizes with the free UAE visa photo maker. It crops your photo to the exact size and can also create a 4 × 6 inch sheet for printing.
Background and lighting
Use a plain white background with no patterns, shadows or objects behind you. Light should be even across the face. Daylight from a window in front of you works well. Avoid a lamp from one side, which casts a shadow.
Face and expression
- Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression, eyes open and mouth closed.
- The full face should be visible from chin to the top of the head.
- Glasses are allowed only if the eyes are clearly visible with no glare. Tinted glasses and sunglasses are not accepted.
- Head coverings are allowed only for religious or medical reasons, with the face fully visible.
- Use a recent colour photo, taken within the last six months.
Common reasons for rejection
- Light grey or off-white wall that looks uneven in the photo.
- Shadow behind the head or across one side of the face.
- Face too small because too much background was left in.
- A photo of a printed photo, or a filtered or edited selfie.
How to make the photo on your phone
- Stand about one metre in front of a plain white wall, facing a window.
- Ask someone to take the photo at eye level, without zoom or filters.
- Open the UAE visa photo maker, choose the size, and drag the photo so your face fits the guide.
- Download it and upload it to the portal.
Rules can change, and each portal shows its own instructions. Always check the GDRFA or ICP page you are applying on. Also available باللغة العربية.