The ICP photo standard
The Emirates ID photo follows the ICP personal photo specifications, which are based on the ICAO standard and are also used for UAE visas.
- Size: width of 35-40 mm. ICP does not state a height, so IDPhotoly uses 35x45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) at 300 dpi.
- Digital version: a 414x532 px JPG.
- Face size: the face fills 70-80% of the photo, with the chin-to-crown height 31.5-36 mm.
- Background: white. The ICP service requires white, while the ICAO leaflet says plain and light-coloured, so white is the correct choice.
- Age of the photo: recent.
- Glasses: medical glasses only, with no glare, and they must not cover the eyes.
- Head covering: religious reasons only, with the face fully visible.
Renewal tip
If you are renewing, the new photo must differ from the one printed on your current card. Do not reuse the old picture.
Taking it at home
Stand facing a window, with a plain white wall behind you and a gap between you and the wall. Ask someone to hold the phone at eye level in portrait orientation. Keep your head straight, your expression neutral, your mouth closed and your eyes open. Wear clothes that contrast with the white background and remove anything that causes glare.
Add the photo to IDPhotoly. It is processed in your browser, cropped to the ICP proportions and the background is replaced with plain white.
Common reasons photos are rejected
- A background that is cream, grey or has shadows.
- A face that fills less than 70% of the frame.
- Sunglasses, tinted lenses, or glasses with reflections.
- An expression that is not neutral.
- Using the same photo as the one on the current card at renewal.
- Edited or filtered images.
Printing or uploading
For a printed photo, download the 4x6 inch (10x15 cm) sheet and print it at 100 percent on photo paper, never fit to page. Check one photo with a ruler for 35 mm by 45 mm and cut along the guides. For the digital route, use the JPG file as it is, with no further compression or editing, and look at the preview in the application.
Because ICP can update its service pages, check the current instructions in the Identity Card Renewal service before you submit. IDPhotoly is not affiliated with any government. If an official authority rejects a photo made with the service, you can request a full refund by email within 30 days.