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United Arab Emirates Passport Photo Checker
If you're applying for a United Arab Emirates passport, check the photo requirements before submitting. Our United Arab Emirates Passport Photo Checker compares your image with the listed dimensions and background guidance in your browser. Preview the result for free; the issuing authority makes the final decision.
The United Arab Emirates uses a 43×55 mm passport photo format, larger than the European standard. UAE passports are issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Photos must have a white background with the face centered at 70–80% of the frame. The UAE's smart visa system requires high-resolution digital photos. That detail matters — most consumer photo apps still ship with generic templates that ignore these specifics. Upload your image above and we'll measure dimensions, sample the background, run face detection, and tell you exactly what to fix before you submit.
Photo checking happens locally in your browser. Sharing or saving a result is a separate action you choose.
Official United Arab Emirates passport photo rules we check
- Required size: 43×55 mm (508×650 px at 300 DPI)
- Required background: White
- Issuing authority: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security (ICP)
- Print dimensions: 43×55 mm (1.69×2.17 inches)
- Digital size: 508×650 px at 300 DPI
- Background: White
Common United Arab Emirates passport rejection reasons
- United Arab Emirates-specific: Photos taken with fluorescent office lighting that adds a green cast — ICP's automated pass flags anything with a non-neutral white-balance.
- United Arab Emirates-specific: Ghutrah worn so low that it covers the eyebrows.
- United Arab Emirates-specific: Using the passport-page scan from an older visa instead of a fresh capture.
- Aspect ratio drifted from 43:55 after a careless crop
- Soft focus or motion blur from a handheld phone shot in low light
- Background that looked white to your eye but reads as cream or grey to a calibrated scanner
How to pass the checker
Crop precisely to 43×55 mm
Use our free image cropper to pull the exact 43:55 ratio. Position your eyes near the upper third of the frame and leave roughly 5 mm of headroom above the hair — the proportions Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security (ICP) expects.
Re-shoot in flat, even lighting
Stand 1.5 m from a plain wall matching the required white background. Use two soft light sources (or window light through a thin curtain) on either side of your face to eliminate the shadow that triggers most United Arab Emirates rejections.
Replace the background if it's the wrong colour
If our checker flags the background, compare it with the selected specification (white). The background remover can help prepare another preview; confirm that edited photos are accepted by the authority.
Verify face coverage with the checker
Re-upload the corrected photo and compare the framing with the selected application's guidance. Requirements for head position can vary by application.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Emirates ID photo size?
The Emirates ID uses 35×45 mm at 300 DPI on a white background, uploaded as a JPEG under 300 KB through the ICP smart-app or in-person at a Tas'heel centre. The same file works for a UAE residence-visa application.
Are traditional Emirati head coverings allowed?
Yes. The ICP permits the ghutrah, keffiyeh and hijab in official photos. The eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth and full chin outline must remain visible, and no part of the covering may cast a shadow across the face.
How accurate is this United Arab Emirates passport photo checker?
Our checker reviews dimensions, aspect ratio, background, sharpness and face positioning with on-device detection where available. It cannot duplicate Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security (ICP)'s review or guarantee acceptance. Always check the official instructions for your application.
Does ImageGates upload my photo to a server?
No — every check runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. Your photo never leaves your device. That is unique among most online checkers and is why the tool also works offline once loaded.
What file formats does the checker accept for United Arab Emirates photos?
The checker accepts JPG, JPEG, PNG and WebP up to 20 MB. Check Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security (ICP)'s instructions for the file formats accepted by your specific application.