UAE Visa Photo: Size Requirements and Standards

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Body-camera distance

The distance between the face and the camera should be about 40 cm. Ideally the photo should be taken by the other person.

Posture: Straight ahead

Place your face in front of the lens. Hold the camera at eye level and keep neutral face expression.

Lighting

Stand facing the light source, for example an exposed window. The background will be cut out, don't worry about it.

UAE Visa Photo - Size & Requirements

Size

Width: 43 mm

Height: 55 mm

Resolution

300 dpi

Is it suitable for online submission?

Yes

Image definition parameters

Head height: 40 mm

Top of the Photo to Top of the Hair: 5 mm

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More about UAE Visa Photo - Requirements

Dubai Visa photo requirements

Dubai is the most popular city in the UAE and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. In recent years, Dubai has become a popular world destination for those enamored with its sumptuous lifestyle, fancy cars, glittering skyscrapers, and overall glitz. All that combined with endless sun, the desert, and exotic nature, makes Dubai a pretty seductive place to visit.

If you’re seeking to visit Dubai as a tourist, you might need a visa, and along with it, a visa photo. In this article we will tell you all about the Dubai visa photo requirements and how to prepare your visa photo to be sure it gets accepted by the authorities.

Perhaps you may also be interested in going off the beaten path on your UAE trip - well, Dubai is not all there is to the United Arab Emirates. The country comprises seven emirates in total (emirates are basically the equivalent of states): Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al-Quwain are all equally as alluring and worth paying a visit.

Dubai visa photo size & requirements

When taking the right picture of your United Arab Emirates visa, you have to make sure that everything is ideal, as sometimes even the smallest mistake may cause rejection. Especially when planning to enter Dubai - a city that boasts glamour and perfection. You don’t want to take a bad photo going to a perfect city, do you?

Dubai visa photo dimensions

The visa photo size requirements for your UAE visa photograph should be 43 mm x 55 mm (approx. 1.7 in. x 2.1 in.).

If you’re submitting an electronic copy of your UAE visa photo, it should be 300 px wide and 369 px high.

Dubai visa photo guidelines

There are specific guidelines for the UAE or Dubai visa photo to be met if you decide to start the process of applying for a UAE visa.

Remember, if something looks incorrect, don’t edit it by removing birthmarks, scars, tattoos, or even red-eye, because this may cause your UAE visa application to get rejected.

You can use our photo editor on the Passport Photo Online website (or app) to get a professional photo service that will set your visa photo to the perfect dimensions, and edit it accordingly so it fits the UAE visa photo requirements.

Background

Let’s take a look at the background requirements for your Dubai visa photo:

The background has to be white or off-white, without any patterns
The picture should be in color - black and white photos are rejected
You must be in the center of the photo and your face should take up 70% - 80% of the picture
Your head, hair, ears, and shoulders have to be visible in the picture
The picture should be of good quality - make sure it’s clear and sharp without any glares, shadows, over- or under-exposure
The picture must show your real skin tone

Your Dubai visa photo must be printed on good quality photo paper and it cannot have any marks, creases, staples, or any other damage on it.

Facial expression

You must have a neutral facial expression
Your mouth has to be closed
Your eyes must be open and clearly visible
You have to look straight into the camera lens
Your head must be straight, not tilted

What to wear

There must be a clear distinction between you and the white background, so it’s recommended that you wear something in a solid dark color, that’s other than black (blues, purples, or greens should work fine!)
You can wear eyeglasses if you must, but they cannot obscure your eyes and/or eyebrows. Make sure there is no glare on the glasses. Sunglasses are not permitted.
You can only wear headgear for religious purposes, but be sure that your head covering does not obscure your face as your forehead, chin, and other facial features must be visible. Hats, headbands, and other fashion accessories are not allowed.

UAE visa photo requirements for babies and young children

Babies and infants are no exception to visa photos, so let’s go over the fundamentals of those:

The baby should have as neutral of a facial expression as possible and look straight into the camera.
The baby should be alone in the picture - the parent or guardian can’t hold her, and no hands can be visible in the visa photograph. If the child cannot support herself, the picture should be taken from above as they are lying down.
Toys or dummies aren’t allowed in the picture.

Is it safe to go to Dubai?

In general, Dubai is a safe place to visit. It has a high concentration of surveillance cameras throughout the city and the entire emirate, and the overall crime rate in Dubai is relatively low.

Last update: 6/7/23

About the document

There are different types of visa or entry permits that the United Arab Emirates government issues. Depending on the purpose of your visit, they can be distinguished as:

business visa
tourist visa
transit visa
student visa
retirement visa
visa for GCC residents and their companions

UAE visa application requirements

Besides your Dubai visa photo, you also need several other documents to submit your UAE visa application. The following are the guidelines regarding supporting documentation:

A valid passport along with photocopies of the passport’s relevant pages. However, you may be asked to provide photocopies of both your passport and the relevant pages, so it may not be necessary to submit your original passport.
A round-trip airline ticket or an airline ticket for onward travel.
Proof of accommodation, such as your place of residence; hotel, etc.
Proof of legal residence - if you are not a citizen of your country of residence, you have to provide a valid visa or residence permit
Proof of previous travels

If you have host in the United Arab Emirates:

Proof of your relationship to the host
A copy of your host’s UAE Resident Visa and/or their Emirates ID
A certified copy of their work contract or their salary certificate

You might be asked for some additional documents related to your purpose of travel, however, these are the most common ones.

UAE visa fees

Depending on the length of your trip you might need a different visa. All fees are shown in UAE Dirhams (AED) and are non-refundable. You can see the types of UAE visas:

Tourist Visa Single Entry costs AED 350 and is valid for 60 days of 30 days duration of your trip
Tourist Visa Multiple Entry costs AED 650 you are allowed to enter UAE multiple times within 30 days from the date of your first entry with validity for 60 days
Service Visa Single Entry costs AED 400, valid for 14 days
Long Term Tourist Visa Single Entry costs AED 1000 and is valid for 60 days in 90 days of duration
Long Term Visit Visa Multiple Entry costs AED 2500 you are allowed to enter UAE multiple times within 90 days from the date of your first entry with validity for 60 days
Transit Visa Single Entry costs AED 50, valid for 14 days with a duration of 4 days
48-Hour Transit Visa SingleEntry is for free with a validity of 14 days.

It takes approximately three to four days to process a UAE visa.

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Do you need a visa to enter the UAE?

There are 44 countries that can enter the UAE visa-free, but 22 nationalities require an UAE visa. Find out your eligibility before your trip to the United Arab Emirates.

How much does the UAE visa cost?

The visa fees will vary depending on how long you plan to stay in the UAE. Some of the basic stays in the UAE are as follows: a 48-hour visa costs $10, a 96-hour visa$30, short term single tourist entry $90, short term multiple tourist entry $175, long term single tourist entry $190 - $230, long term multiple tourist entry $460.

What is the photo size for the Dubai visa?

The size of the Dubai visa photo is 43 mm x 55 mm (or alternatively 1.7 x 2.1 inches). For a digital photo, it should be 300 pixels in width and 369 pixels in height.

How can I get United Arab Emirates visa?

You can apply for your UAE visa online after you book your Emirates flight. There are available online visa application services for residents and nationals of many countries around the world.

How many days I can stay in the UAE after my visa expires?

The UAE government grants a 30-day grace period for all visa holders whose UAE visas have expired. However, you will be required to renew your visa during the 30-day period in order to avoid fees.

Can you smile in the Dubai visa photo?

Smiling is usually not advisable for most document photos, and the same applies to the UAE visa. You’re expected to have a neutral facial expression and look as natural as possible.

What should I wear for my Dubai visa photo?

You can wear a shirt with a high enough neckline, and you can't wear a tank top or a shirt with a wide v-neck. As for the color of your shirt, it should be different from the background (something darker, because the background is either white or off-white). Don't wear glasses unless they’re medically required, and if you do, make sure that they don't cover your eyes and/or produce glares. Don't wear any head coverings unless they’re worn for religious purposes on a daily basis. Again, make sure that your face is clearly visible.

Can I take a visa photo using my phone?

You can use your phone, digital camera, or tablet to take your Dubai visa photo. There are many photo apps available that you can use to take your visa photo. We recommend you try the Passport Photo Online app that will crop and adjust your visa photo parameters, including the correct background, so your Dubai visa photo gets approved for your visa application, and you’ll be good to go!

Is it safe to go to Dubai?

Dubai is considered a safe city and street crime is very rare. However, Dubai is also extremely strict, which means many things are illegal there so getting to know the cultural and religious differences might help you avoid unpleasant experiences.

How long is the Dubai visa valid for?

The validity of your Dubai visa depends on its type. The 48-hour and 96-hour visas are valid for 30 days from the date of issue; all others visas are valid for 60 days from the date of issue.