From September 1, Indian expats in the UAE must follow international photo standards for passport applications
The Indian Consulate in Dubai has announced stricter rules for passport photographs, making it mandatory for applicants to submit ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation)-compliant photos from September 1, 2025. The move aligns with global travel regulations and aims to ensure seamless international travel for Indian passport holders, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
The consulate confirmed that only ICAO-standard photographs will be accepted, meaning most applicants will need to get fresh photos taken to avoid rejection of their applications.
According to the new guidelines, applicants must provide:
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Colour photo, size 630×810 pixels, with a white background
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Head and shoulders close-up with the face covering 80–85% of the frame
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Full face, front view with a natural expression and open eyes
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No hair over eyes, mouth closed, no shadows, red-eye, or reflections
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Uniform lighting, natural skin tone, and no digital editing
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Taken from a distance of around 1.5 metres
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No glasses; head coverings only allowed for religious reasons with facial features clearly visible
The consulate urged Indian expats to carefully follow these requirements when submitting applications. Failure to comply could result in delays or rejections, it warned.
