Quick answer
What photo does the UAE need for an Indian visit visa?
UAE visit visas are applied for online, and ICP and GDRFA Dubai ask for a recent personal photo with a white background. ICP's photo specification says it should be no more than six months old, with the face 70–80% of the frame. Indians with qualifying US, UK or EU visas or residence can get a 14-day visa on arrival.
Indian visitors need a UAE visa arranged online before they fly, and both ICP and GDRFA Dubai ask for a personal photo with a white background. ICP's photo specification says the photo should be no more than six months old, with the face filling 70–80% of the frame. Indians who hold a qualifying US, UK or EU visa, residence permit or US Green Card can get a 14-day visa; others usually need a visit visa sponsored by a UAE tourism company. The UAE publishes no pixel size or file limit for visit visa photos.
UAE visa photo requirements
| Background | White (ICP and GDRFA Dubai service pages) |
|---|---|
| Photo age | No more than 6 months old |
| Face size | 70–80% of the photo |
| Print width | 35–40 mm (ICP photo specification); ICP's services guide gives 3.5 × 4.5 cm for many services |
| Pixel size and file limit | Not published for visit visa uploads |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Eyes clearly visible, no flash reflection, no tinted lenses and frames clear of the eyes |
| Head covering | Only for religious reasons, with the face visible from chin to forehead and both edges showing |
ICP's photo specification describes a plain light-coloured background, but its visa service pages and GDRFA Dubai ask for white, so use white. For some visit permits, ICP's 2024 services guide writes the size as "6/4" without explaining it. Follow any size or file limit that your application form shows.
The 14-day visa for Indians with a US, UK or EU visa or residence
ICP issues a 14-day visa to Indian ordinary passport holders, and their family members, who hold a valid visa, residence permit or Green Card issued by the US, the UK or an EU country, or a valid residence permit issued by Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. You must enter within 30 days of issue, you can stay 14 days from entry, and the visa can be extended once for the same period. The documents are your passport, a personal photo and a copy of the visa, residence permit or Green Card.
GDRFA Dubai lists a similar visa on arrival for Indians, in slightly narrower terms (a US Green Card or visa, or a UK or EU residence visa), applied for on its smart services website with a personal photo on a white background.
Visit visas for other Indian travellers
If you do not qualify for the 14-day visa, you need a visit visa before you travel. GDRFA Dubai's single-entry tourist visa, for 30 or 60 days, can only be issued by accredited tourism offices in the emirate, and it asks for one personal photo and a copy of your passport. Ask the tourism company sponsoring your visa which file format and size it wants for the photo.
Is there an official UAE visa photo size?
Not for visit visa uploads. ICP's photo specification sets a printed width of 35–40 mm, and its services guide uses 3.5 × 4.5 cm with a white background for many services, but neither gives a pixel size or file size for visit visas. A 35 × 45 mm portrait on white fits both documents.
The photo maker linked on this page makes a 43 × 55 mm UAE visa portrait, which is not an official UAE size. Because visit visa photos are uploaded rather than printed, the white background and the 70–80% face size matter most, but check what your sponsor or form asks for.
How to prepare your UAE visa photo
- Check which visa you need. With a qualifying US, UK or EU visa, residence permit or Green Card, you may get the 14-day visa. Otherwise, arrange a visit visa through an accredited UAE tourism company.
- Take a photo on a white background. Face the camera with a neutral expression and your mouth closed, in even light, with no tinted glasses. The photo must be no more than six months old.
- Frame your face at 70–80%. Crop to a passport-style portrait without stretching it, so your face fills 70–80% of the photo.
- Upload it with your application. Upload it on the ICP or GDRFA Dubai smart services website, or send it to your sponsor, with a copy of your passport.
Sample photos
Samples show pose, lighting and background. Crop your own photo to the United Arab Emirates visa size.
United Arab Emirates visa photo FAQ
The UAE publishes no pixel or file size for visit visa uploads. ICP's photo specification asks for a recent photo with the face filling 70–80% of the frame and a printed width of 35–40 mm, and its services guide uses 3.5 × 4.5 cm on white for many services.
Indians with a valid visa, residence permit or Green Card from the US, the UK or an EU country, or a residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand, can get a 14-day visa from ICP, extendable once. GDRFA Dubai lists it as a visa on arrival. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
Yes. ICP's 14-day visa page and GDRFA Dubai's services ask for a personal photo with a white background.
Yes, if your eyes are clearly visible, there is no flash reflection, the lenses are not tinted and the frames do not cover your eyes.
No more than six months old, according to ICP's photo specification.
Official sources
- ICP: Issuance of a 14-day visa for nationals of certain countries residing abroad
- GDRFA Dubai: Visa on arrival for citizens of India residing in the US, UK or EU
- GDRFA Dubai: Issuance of a single-entry tourist visa
- ICP: Personal photo specifications (PDF)
- ICP: Services guide 2024 (PDF)
Last checked . Requirements and fees can change, so always confirm with the issuing agency before you apply. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency.