head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceMinistry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and ICP, UAE
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended UAE work permit photo size is 35 × 45 mm. Strictly white, high-quality background. Head occupies 70–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, medical glasses only. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 70–80% of photo height |
| Background | Strictly white, high-quality background. Make photo background white — UAE work permit → |
| Pose | Face directly into the camera, no rotation or tilt. |
| Expression | Neutral expression. |
| Glasses | Sunglasses prohibited; medical glasses only, provided they do not cover the eyes. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows and reflections on the face not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Clothing must not blend into the background; face and shoulder line must be clearly defined. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
A UAE work permit is requested by the employer from MOHRE (the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation), and the worker's photo is one of its required documents: «clear colored photo with a white background», together with a passport copy valid for at least six months, the signed job offer form and the academic certificates for skilled categories. MOHRE gives no size; the permit lasts two years and the service is completed in two working days.
The entry and residence steps run through ICP (the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security), whose Services Guide writes the photo line for the work entry permit and the work residence as «a recent personal photo with a white background, size 6/4» — with no unit — and adds a health insurance document and, for the residence, a medically-fit report; the entry visa is valid for 60 days and the worker has 60 days to complete the residence permit. The picture itself follows ICP's approved ICAO standards: recent, white background, high quality, clear face and eyes, no shadows or reflections, a straight face and neutral expression, no hats or sunglasses and only medical glasses that do not cover the eyes; the ICP leaflet gives no more than 6 months old, image width 35–40 mm, face filling 70–80 %.
The application is made by the employer, so what you need to hand over is a clean, evenly lit colour photo on a plain white background.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons UAE work permit photos get rejected.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and ICP, UAE publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| A background that is not white, shadows or reflections on the face | Use a plain white background and even light. |
| A black-and-white, blurred or unclear photo where a clear colour photo is asked | Upload a clear colour photograph in focus. |
| A photo that is not recent (older than 6 months) or not to ICAO | Take a new photo within six months with the head and top of the shoulders filling 70–80 %. |
| Hats, sunglasses, or glasses that cover the eyes or reflect light | Remove hats and sunglasses; keep only medical glasses that do not cover the eyes. |
| A passport valid for less than six months | Renew the passport before the work permit is requested. |
How to take it
Background: plain white
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 70–80 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Medical glasses only
Without a medical reason, take them off before the shot.
Neutral expression
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
The employer requests the work permit on the MOHRE website, smart app or at a service centre; the entry visa and the residence are then issued through ICP (or GDRFA in Dubai).
mohre.gov.ae — Recruiting a worker from overseas; call centre 600590000
Clear colour photo with a white background; passport copy valid at least six months.
Authority page| Authority | Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and ICP, UAE |
|---|---|
| Source | Issuance of a new work permit (MOHRE) and Personal Photo Specifications (ICP) |
| Verified |
Questions
MOHRE asks for a clear coloured photo with a white background and a passport copy valid for at least six months; the ICP guide adds a recent personal photo with a white background for the work entry permit and the residence, and ICP's standards ask for a straight face, a neutral expression, no hats or sunglasses and no shadows or reflections.
MOHRE gives no size; the ICP Services Guide writes «size 6/4» without a unit, and ICP's ICAO leaflet gives an image width of 35–40 mm with the face filling 70–80 %.
The work permit is requested by the employer on the MOHRE system, so the photo goes to the employer; give them a clean, evenly lit colour photo on a plain white background.
Only medical glasses that do not cover the eyes, with no flash reflection and no tinted lenses; hats and sunglasses are not allowed under ICP's standards.
The recommended size for the UAE work permit photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 70–80% of the photo height.
Yes, if it was taken within the last six months and meets the size and background rules of the work permit. If not, take a new one.
Strictly white, high-quality background. A plain, evenly lit wall without shadows or pattern is enough — the tool sets the required background colour.
Most offices accept a photo taken within the last six months. Use one that shows how you look now.
No. For UAE work permit photos, wear ordinary clothes: no uniform or camouflage, nothing that hides your neck or shoulders. Religious head coverings are usually allowed if the face is fully visible.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the rejection notice from the UAE authority.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 pixels.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: golden visa, green visa, resident visa, tourist visa.