UAE Emirates ID Photo — at home in 60 seconds
Emirates ID card (residents, citizens, GCC nationals)
Take it with your phone against a plain, light wall. We crop it to the exact size (35×45 mm) and check the head size, position and background against the published rules.
Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.
Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027
Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo. Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
Quick answer
A UAE Emirates ID Photo must be 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) when printed, or a digital file of 600–1200 px, aspect 1:1 (up to 2 MB, JPEG), with the head filling 70–80 % of the photo height, on a white background, taken within the last 6 months. A photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets these rules.
- Printed photo
- 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
- Digital file
- 600–1200 px · aspect 1:1 · up to 2 MB · JPEG
Verified October 3, 2026 from Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP).
Photo requirements
Summarised from the official sources below.
- Printed photo
- 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
- Digital file
- 600–1200 px · aspect 1:1 · up to 2 MB · JPEG
- Head size (chin to top of head)
- 70–80 % of the photo height
- Background
- White. ICP services guide, ICP FAQ and GDRFA service cards all require a white background. ICP's older 'Personal Photo Specifications' PDF says 'plain light-coloured background' – use pure white.
- Expression
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible (no hair across eyes), looking straight at the camera; head straight, square to the camera, not tilted or turned (both edges of the face visible).
- Glasses
- Hats and sunglasses not allowed; only medical (prescription) glasses permitted, provided they do not cover the eyes. No tinted lenses, no flash reflection on lenses; frames must not cover any part of the eyes; avoid heavy frames.
- Head covering
- Hats/caps not allowed. Head coverings only for religious reasons (ICP photo PDF); facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown.
- Babies and children
- Child must be alone in the frame (no chair backs, toys or other people visible), eyes open, neutral expression, mouth closed. ICP newborn services ask for a coloured personal photo with a white background.
- Photo age
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Online application
- ICP Smart Services website / UAE ICP app, GDRFA/Amer for Dubai residents, typing centres; customer happiness centres.
More rules (7)
- Colour photo, sharp focus, natural skin tones, appropriate brightness/contrast, uniform lighting – no shadows, flash reflections or red-eye
- Hands must not appear above shoulder level; no frame/border in the picture (ICP services guide)
- ICP: photo width 35–40 mm
- ICP Smart Services runs an automated ICAO check on uploaded personal photos (server 'TICAO' validation; may offer an auto-enhanced version); images flagged as under ~200 px or with invalid content are rejected outright
- If the size/resolution check fails, the ICP portal shows: 'Personal photo must be minimum 600x600 pixels in dimension and 1200x1200 maximum, In a square aspect ratio (height must equal width) with minimum 96 dpi' and opens a crop tool
- New photo must NOT be identical to the photograph currently printed on the ID card (ICP FAQ)
- Applicants 15+ must give fingerprints and signature at an ICP service centre (school students via 'Basmah 15'); ID replacement can skip fingerprinting via OTP only if the personal photo is not being updated
Print at home or at a kiosk
Print the sheet at 100% (Actual size), never “Fit to page”, on photo paper. Each sheet has a 50 mm ruler so you can check the size.
How to take it at home
- Stand about half a metre in front of a plain, light wall, facing a window.
- Hold the phone at arm’s length or ask someone to help. The live guide checks distance, light and head position.
- Get your digital file and print sheet. Print at 100% or upload the file.
Price
Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.
Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027
Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo.
Photo Acceptance Guarantee — rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
Why people choose Ovalight
Made for the moment you need a photo that just works.
- Money back if it’s rejected Rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
- Free to try Take and check your photo for free. You pay once, only when you like the result.
- Your photo stays on your phone Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
- Checked against the official rules Every rule comes from the issuing authority’s own website, last verified on October 3, 2026.
- Free retakes for 24 hours Not happy with it? Retake the same document up to 3 times within 24 hours.
- Secure payment, no subscription Pay once through Stripe. We never see your card details.
Official sources
Verified on October 3, 2026
- ICP Services Guide 2024 (EN) – passport, entry permit, residence & ID card service cards — Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)
- ICP FAQ – 'What are the approved photo standards at the Authority?' and passport/ID card photo answers — ICP
- ICP Smart Services UI strings (personalPhotoWorningMessage etc.) — ICP Smart Services
- ICP Smart Services client config (attachmentMaxSize, imageAttachmentAllowedTypes) — ICP Smart Services
- Emirates ID – fingerprint and signature procedures for 15+ — UAE Government portal (u.ae)
Questions
What size is a UAE Emirates ID Photo?
Printed: 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in). Digital: 600–1200 px · aspect 1:1 · up to 2 MB · JPEG.
Can I take my UAE Emirates ID Photo at home?
Yes. The photo is not taken at the office and no registered photographer is required, so a photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets the rules on this page.
What background is required?
White. ICP services guide, ICP FAQ and GDRFA service cards all require a white background. ICP's older 'Personal Photo Specifications' PDF says 'plain light-coloured background' – use pure white.
Can I smile?
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible (no hair across eyes), looking straight at the camera; head straight, square to the camera, not tilted or turned (both edges of the face visible).
Can I wear glasses?
Hats and sunglasses not allowed; only medical (prescription) glasses permitted, provided they do not cover the eyes. No tinted lenses, no flash reflection on lenses; frames must not cover any part of the eyes; avoid heavy frames.
Can I wear a head covering?
Hats/caps not allowed. Head coverings only for religious reasons (ICP photo PDF); facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months.
What about babies and children?
Child must be alone in the frame (no chair backs, toys or other people visible), eyes open, neutral expression, mouth closed. ICP newborn services ask for a coloured personal photo with a white background.
Can I print the photo at home?
Yes. Print the sheet at 100% (Actual size) on photo paper, at home or at a pharmacy or kiosk, and check the size with the 50 mm ruler.
More United Arab Emirates documents
Other documents that use 35×45 mm
Ovalight is an independent service. Only the authority that issues your document decides whether to accept a photo.