UAE passport, visa, and Emirates ID photos differ by millimetres
Passport and residence permits often use 40×60 mm, while many UAE visa stickers and entry permits expect 43×55 mm. Emirates ID has its own smaller card crop—do not reuse a passport file for all three.
ICA passport and residence workflows commonly specify 40×60 mm colour photos on a plain light background. The taller frame shows more shoulder than a Schengen 35×45 print.
Visa photos at 43×55 mm are not a simple trim of a 40×60 file—the head-to-frame ratio shifts. Re-crop from your original portrait instead of scaling.
Emirates ID applications may reference a compact card size distinct from passport millimetres. Treat ID, passport, and visa as separate checklist lines.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi service centres often accept digital uploads with strict JPEG limits; mall photo booths may still print glossy sheets that glare under ICA scanners.
| Specification | Official requirement |
|---|---|
| Passport / residence | 40 × 60 mm |
| Visa | 43 × 55 mm |
| Emirates ID (contrast) | Smaller card crop—not passport size |
Always confirm the latest rules on the official government site before you submit.
Cream or textured walls, wrong head size after a selfie, and beauty filters cause most delays.
- Label prints with the millimetres—43×55 vs 40×60 look similar in an envelope.
- Matte finish for ICA counters.
- White or very light grey wall; avoid beige marble backdrops.
- Women’s headscarf: full face visible, no shadow on cheeks.
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Can I print my own passport photo at home?
Will a home-printed photo be accepted?
What size should I print?
- • Exact millimetres on your form
- • Plain white or light background
- • Neutral expression, mouth closed
- • Eyes open and clearly visible
- • Recent likeness (about six months)
- • No beauty filters or face reshaping
- • 43×55 visa file on a 40×60 passport upload
- • Emirates ID crop reused for ICA passport
- • Glossy mall print with scanner glare
- • Heavy makeup altering biometric match
- • Expired photo after a recent visa renewal
Passport size?
Commonly 40 × 60 mm via ICA.
Visa size?
Often 43 × 55 mm—confirm your entry permit.
Same photo for both?
Re-crop; do not stretch.
Emirates ID?
Follow ID checklist—smaller than passport.
Glasses?
Prefer without; tinted refused.
Background?
Plain light.
Recent?
Six months typical.
Official?
UAE ICA portals and your visa sponsor letter.