The UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) asks for a plain photo that follows ICAO standards: no more than six months old, 35 to 40 mm wide, with your face filling 70-80% of the frame. It does not publish one single print size for every route — its service guide asks entry-permit applicants for a 4 × 6 cm photo on a white background, while Emirates ID and passport services use 3.5 × 4.5 cm. Reusing an Emirates ID photo for a visa is the common, avoidable mistake.
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Common checks include wearing a hat or sunglasses — both explicitly banned even though medical glasses are allowed if they do not cover the eyes — a photo older than six months, and a photo sized for the wrong route, since ICP's entry-permit guidance asks for 4 × 6 cm while the Emirates ID uses 3.5 × 4.5 cm. ICP publishes no pixel or file-size limit at all: any number you see on screen comes from the portal you are using.
ICP states plainly that wearing hats or sunglasses is not allowed for the visa photo. Only medical glasses are permitted, and only if they do not cover the eyes — remove any headwear that is not worn for religious reasons.
The photo must have a white background with no shadows or reflections. A cream, grey or unevenly lit wall is rejected even when the rest of the photo is compliant.
ICP's service guide asks entry-permit applicants for a 4 × 6 cm photo on a white background, while Emirates ID and passport services use 3.5 × 4.5 cm. ICP publishes no pixel or file-size limit at all, so any number you see on screen comes from the portal you are using — read it there before you crop, rather than reusing an Emirates ID photo.
ICP prints the recency rule first: the photo must be no more than 6 months old. Its photo sheet also asks the face to fill 70-80% of the frame and caps the width at 35 to 40 mm — the only numeric proportions ICP publishes, and the ones a wide, waist-up snapshot fails.
ICP asks for uniform lighting with no shadows, no flash reflection on the face and no red eye, and separately requires your eyes to be open and clearly visible with no hair across them. Diffused daylight from a window in front of you avoids all four at once.
The published rule calls for a straight face and a neutral expression. A smile, a tilted head or a turned chin is rejected even if every other rule is met.
A hijab, turban or other religious covering is accepted, but only when it does not obscure any part of the face — your 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 shadows the cheeks or crosses the chin line is rejected.
No. The Emirates ID and passport services use a 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo, while ICP's own service guide asks entry-permit applicants for a recent photo on a white background measuring 4 × 6 cm. ICP's general photo sheet also caps the width at 35 to 40 mm and asks the face to fill 70-80% of the frame, so always confirm the size on the specific portal you are applying through rather than reusing an Emirates ID photo.
Only medical glasses, and only if the lenses do not cover your eyes and show no glare. ICP states plainly that sunglasses and hats are not allowed for the photo, with no exception.
Yes — religious head coverings are accepted as long as they do not obscure any part of the face. Your full face from the chin to the hairline and both edges of the face need to stay visible, so a covering that shadows the cheeks or crosses the chin is rejected.
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