New passport rules for Indian expats in Dubai: What applicants need to know about 2025 photo guidelines

Starting September 1, Indian expats in Dubai applying for new passports or renewals must submit photographs that conform to International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO ) standards. The directive was officially circulated by India's Ministry of External Affairs to all embassies and consulates worldwide, including the Indian Consulate in Dubai.

TL;DR:

• All Indian passport applications in Dubai must include ICAO-compliant photographs beginning September 1, 2025.

• Key photo requirements: colour on white background; dimensions 630x810 pixels; 80-85% face coverage; neutral expression; no computer alterations or filters.

• Updated rules emphasize clear visibility, even lighting, and strict facial composition, consistent with international biometric travel document standards.

New ICAO-compliant passport photo guidelines
Indian nationals in Dubai must ensure their passport photos match the ICAO specifications when submitting paperwork. Requirements include:

• Photo Format: Colour photo, white plain background, sized 630x810 pixels.
  
• Framing: Head and top of shoulders in close-up; face covers 80-85% of the photo frame.
  
• Image Quality: No digital editing, altering, or use of filters; natural skin tone; sharply focused and unblurred.
  
• Lighting: Uniform, shadow-free lighting; no glare, red-eye, or flash reflections; appropriate brightness and contrast.
  
• Facial Features: Eyes open and visible, mouth closed, face fully frontal, head centered and not tilted, entire head visible from hair top to chin.
  
• Accessories: Eyeglasses must be removed; religious head coverings allowed but facial features from chin to forehead and both face edges must be visible.
  
• Expression/Cam Position: Neutral, natural look; photograph should be shot from 1.5 meters away.
  

This update aligns with official international travel security and identification practices. Any non-compliant photos submitted from September 1 will result in rejections or delays in passport processing, as per consulate notifications. Dubai’s Indian community must ensure all passport photos conform to ICAO standards beginning September, following official directives from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Careful compliance will prevent paperwork delays and speed up new passport issuance for applicants.

FAQ
Q. What is the change in Indian passport photo rules for expats in Dubai?
Starting September 1, all passport photos must meet ICAO international biometric standards, including colour on white background, 630x810 pixels dimensions, and 80-85% face coverage.

Q. Can applicants wear glasses or head coverings in the new passport photos?
Eyeglasses must be removed to prevent reflections. Only religious head coverings are permitted if facial features remain fully visible from chin to forehead.

Q. What will cause a passport photo to be rejected under the new rules?
Photos will be rejected if they are altered, filtered, blurry, show unnatural skin tones, improper lighting, or include head or eye obstructions.

Q. Who issued the directive and where should applicants check for updates?
India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued the rule, applicable through all embassies and consulates; applicants should refer to the Passport Seva portal and consulate announcements for specifics.