UAE Passport & Emirates ID Photo Requirements
UAE identity photos follow the federal ICP photo specification, which is written to ICAO standards. What matters most is not a single millimetre figure but how the head fills the frame, plus the country's specific exceptions for head coverings and glasses. Verified against the ICP official ICAO photo specification PDF, September 2026.
Who sets the rule
Emirates ID and passport photo rules come from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP). Emirates ID is mandatory for all UAE citizens and residents, and biometric details are captured at an ICP service centre. The photo specification itself is published by ICP as an ICAO-compliant document.
Official UAE photo specification
| Width | "40–35 mm in width" — written in that order in the official text; the intended range is 35–40 mm |
| Face size | Face takes up "%80–70 of the photograph" — quoted as published; read as 70–80% of the frame |
| Framing | Close-up of the head and the top of the shoulders |
| Background | Plain light-coloured background |
| Recency | No more than 6 months old |
| Quality | Sharp focus and clear; high quality with no ink marks or creases; appropriate brightness and contrast; printed on high-quality paper at high resolution |
| Digital camera | Photographs taken with a digital camera must be high-quality colour and printed on photo-quality paper |
The official English text prints the width as "40–35 mm" and the face share as "%80–70" — the numbers are quoted above exactly as published, with the intended reading alongside. A widely repeated "43 × 55 mm" figure for UAE photos was not confirmed in the official specification we verified, so it is not stated here as a requirement; check the ICP portal for your specific document.
Face size: the 70–80% rule
UAE frames the requirement around how much of the photo the face occupies: the picture is a close-up of the head and shoulders so that the face takes up the large majority of the frame (the specification's own 70–80%, written " %80–70"). Practically, a photo where you sit small in the frame, or off to one side, fails even if the print measures correctly. Keep the head large, centred, and square to the camera.
Glasses: what the official text requires
- No flash reflection off the glasses — the photograph must show your eyes clearly.
- No tinted lenses.
- Frames must not cover any part of your eyes — the guidance adds that if possible you should avoid heavy frames and wear lighter-framed glasses.
The simplest safe route is to take the photo without glasses. If you keep them on, the glasses guide covers reflection-free technique.
Religious head coverings — the one exception
Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons. Where one is worn, the requirement is strict: your facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, and both edges of your face, must be clearly shown. A covering that hides any face edge is not allowed. See the head coverings guide for the detail.
Pose, expression and colour
- You alone in the frame — no chair backs, toys or other people visible.
- Facing square on to the camera — not looking over one shoulder (portrait style) or tilted, with both edges of your face clearly shown.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking at the camera.
- Eyes open and clearly visible — no hair across your eyes.
- Colour neutral.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UAE passport photo size?
The ICP specification gives the width as 40–35 mm (published in that order; read as 35–40 mm) with the face taking up 70–80% of the photograph. Confirm the current requirement on the ICP portal for your specific document.
How much of the photo should my face fill?
The official text says the face takes up "%80–70 of the photograph" — quoted as published and read as 70–80%. The photo is a close-up of the head and the top of the shoulders.
Can I wear glasses in a UAE photo?
Yes, if your eyes are clearly visible with no flash reflection off the glasses and no tinted lenses, and the frames do not cover any part of your eyes. The guidance suggests lighter frames over heavy ones.
Can I wear a religious head covering?
Yes. Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons, and where worn your facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, and both edges of your face, must be clearly shown.
What background does a UAE photo need?
A plain light-coloured background.
How old can the photo be?
No more than 6 months old. It must be in sharp focus and clear, of high quality with no ink marks or creases, with appropriate brightness and contrast, printed on high-quality paper at high resolution.
Photos captured with a digital camera must be high-quality colour and printed on photo-quality paper. Check the frame against the full size chart, verify your file with the passport photo checker, lay out prints with the print sheet, and fix a grey backdrop with the background whitener.