UAEUAE Work Permit Photo Requirements: White Background, 6/4 Size, Under 6 Months, Face 70–80 %
MOHRE: clear coloured photo with a white background. ICP: recent photo on white, size 6/4, 35–40 mm wide, face 70–80 %, not older than six months.
In this article · 4 sections
Key points
5 points- MOHRE work permit for a worker from overseas: a clear coloured photo with a white background, plus a passport copy valid at least six months.
- ICP Services Guide 2024: entry permit for work and residence–work permit both list a recent personal photo on white, size 6/4.
- The guide gives no unit for 6/4; the ICP leaflet gives 35–40 mm width and a face taking 70–80 % of the photo.
- No more than 6 months old; plain light background; glasses without reflection or tint; hats and sunglasses not allowed.
- Entry visa is valid 60 days from issuance, and the period of stay is 60 days to complete the residence formalities.
Two UAE bodies set the photo for a work permit: the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for the permit, and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) for the entry permit and residence.
What MOHRE and ICP list
| Step | Photo line |
|---|---|
| MOHRE — recruiting a worker from overseas (new work permit) | A clear coloured photo with a white background; passport copy valid at least six months; job offer form signed by employer and employee. Permit duration two years; service completion 2 working days. |
| ICP — entry permit for work | A recent personal photo with a white background, size 6/4; health insurance; copy of the passport; financial guarantee. Entry visa valid for 60 days from issuance; period of stay 60 days. |
| ICP — residence, work permit | A recent personal photo with a white background, size 6/4; passport copy; financial guarantee and health insurance; medically fit report; proof of link to an employer. |
UAEWork Permit · requirements
The ICP guide does not give a unit for “6/4”. Do not guess: the ICP leaflet below gives the dimensions in millimetres.
ICP Personal Photo Specifications
- No more than 6 months old; 35–40 mm in width.
- Close-up of the head and top of the shoulders, so the face takes up 70–80 % of the photograph.
- Sharp focus, no ink marks or creases; natural skin tones; plain light-coloured background.
- Uniform lighting with no shadows, flash reflections or red eye.
- Glasses without flash reflection or tinted lenses and with frames not covering the eyes.
- Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the face from chin to forehead and both edges visible; the applicant alone in the picture.
The ICP FAQ adds: hats and sunglasses are not allowed, only medical glasses that do not cover the eyes; the face straight and the expression neutral.
Make a white-background photo with our UAE work permit photo tool.
03Questions
5 answers01What background colour does the UAE work permit photo need?
White — MOHRE and the ICP Services Guide both say white background.
02What size is "6/4"?
The ICP guide gives no unit. The ICP photo leaflet gives a width of 35–40 mm with the face at 70–80 % of the photo.
03How recent must the photo be?
No more than 6 months old (ICP leaflet); ICP guide says "recent".
04Can I wear glasses?
Only medical glasses that do not cover the eyes, with no flash reflection or tint.
05How long is the entry visa valid?
60 days from issuance, with a 60-day period of stay to complete the residence permit requirements.
04Official sources
- MOHRE — Issuance of a New Work Permit (Overseas)
mohre.gov.ae - ICP — Personal Photo Specifications (PDF)
icp.gov.ae - ICP — Services Guide 2024 (PDF)
icp.gov.ae
Author: Yevhen Kravchenko. Published . Checked against official sources on .
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