Starting September 1, Indian expats in Dubai must adhere to new photo guidelines for passport applications and renewals.
The Indian Consulate in Dubai stated that passport applications now require photos meeting International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao) standards, setting the global benchmark for biometric and travel document identity.
This change means applicants need to provide photos that align with updated specifications when submitting their passport documents.
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Below are the new passport photo requirements as per the International Civil Aviation Organisation:
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Photo format: Color photo on a plain white background, dimensions 630*810 pixels
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Framing and composition: Close-up of the head and shoulders, with the face occupying 80-85% of the frame
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Image quality:
– No digital alterations or filters
– Natural skin tones must be visible
– Photo must be clear, not blurry
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Lighting:
– Even lighting with no shadows
– No flash reflections, glare, or red-eye
– Proper brightness and contrast
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Facial features:
– Eyes open and clearly visible (no hair covering the eyes)
– Mouth closed
– Full face in front view, head centered and not tilted
– Entire head visible, from top of hair to chin
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Accessories and coverings:
– Remove eyeglasses to avoid reflections
– Head coverings allowed for religious reasons only; facial features from chin to forehead and face edges must be visible
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Expression: Neutral and natural
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Camera distance: Photo should be taken from 1.5 meters away
This update follows a directive from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (Mea), issued to embassies and consulates globally via the Passport Seva portal.
“From September 1, 2025, ICAO-compliant photographs will be mandatory for passport applications,” the directive confirmed.
