What size is a Emirates ID Card photo?

35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches), or 827 x 1063 pixels for online upload (minimum 413 x 531). We render the file at 827 x 1063 pixels (600 DPI).

How big should the head be in a United Arab Emirates emirates id photo?

Head 70 to 80 percent of the photo height (The photo must be recent and comply with the specifications of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) (no head size published; ICAO Doc 9303 crown-to-chin 70 to 80 per cent applied; frame 3.5 x 4.5 cm carried over from the ICP passport rule)). Our tool places the crop inside this range automatically and shows the guide lines so you can see it.

Can I wear glasses in a emirates id card photo (icp upload, 3.5 x 4.5 cm icao standard)?

Yes, provided there is no glare on the lenses, the frames do not cover your eyes, and the lenses are not tinted.

Can I take the photo myself with my phone?

Yes. Use the rear camera if you can, stand about 1.5 metres (5 feet) from the camera in front of a plain wall, face a window for even light, and have someone else press the button or use the timer. Our live guide shows where your head should be.

Emirates ID Card Photo (ICP upload, 3.5 x 4.5 cm ICAO standard): size and requirements

Q: Is this the official Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), 'New Identity Card Issuance' and 'Identity Card Renewal' service cards, with the ICP FAQ website?

No. We are an independent tool that prepares the photo. You apply for the document with Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), 'New Identity Card Issuance' and 'Identity Card Renewal' service cards, with the ICP FAQ. The requirements on this page are quoted from their official page, linked above, and were last checked on 2026-10-08.

The Emirates ID Card Photo size is 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches), or 827 x 1063 pixels for online upload (minimum 413 x 531). The photo must be recent, with a white background and high quality (ICP approved photo standards); head 70 to 80 percent of the photo height. Last verified 2026-10-08 against Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), 'New Identity Card Issuance' and 'Identity Card Renewal' service cards, with the ICP FAQ.

For the personal photo attached to a new Emirates ID card application or an ID card renewal for UAE nationals, GCC nationals and residents, submitted through ICP Smart Services, the ICP UAE app or an approved typing office. Not for the UAE passport, a visit visa or the residence permit itself, which have separate pages.

Make this photo for $6.99 Read the full rules

Dubai skyline with the Burj Khalifa seen from the Ras Al Khor wetlands

VerifiedRead from the official pageLast checked 2026-10-08Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), 'New Identity Card Issuance' and 'Identity Card Renewal' service cards, with the ICP FAQ

Requirements at a glance

Size: 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches), or 827 x 1063 pixels for online upload (minimum 413 x 531)
Head height: Head 70 to 80 percent of the photo height (The photo must be recent and comply with the specifications of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) (no head size published; ICAO Doc 9303 crown-to-chin 70 to 80 per cent applied; frame 3.5 x 4.5 cm carried over from the ICP passport rule))
Background: the photo must be recent, with a white background and high quality (ICP approved photo standards)
Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking at the camera
Glasses: Allowed without glare or tint
Head covering: Only for religious or medical reasons; full face visible
We deliver: 827 x 1063 px (600 DPI), plus a 4 x 6 inch print sheet

What trips people up

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The ID card application lists 'Personal Photo' and 'Passport' as its documents and is filed online: 'Attach the required documents in case they are not available through institutional linkage.'
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The photo must not be the one already on your card: 'A recent personal photograph must be provided when submitting the application and must not be identical to the current photograph printed on the Emirates ID card.'
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Applicants aged 15 and over still visit a centre for biometrics: 'Individuals who have completed 15 years of age are required to complete the fingerprint and signature procedures through the Authority’s service centers.' The face image is the uploaded photo, not a counter capture.
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ICP's standard applies to every document: white background, no hats or sunglasses, medical glasses only if they do not cover the eyes, straight face, neutral expression, no shadows or reflections.
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The ID-card FAQ states ICAO compliance but no size; the 3.5 x 4.5 cm frame is ICP's stated passport size and is applied here by inference.
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Residents' ID cards are issued together with the residence permit ('Dependency on Other Service Issuing Residency Permit Renewal of residency permits'); the medical-fitness result must be 'Fit'.

Known portal issues

Note
UAE Pass login required
Set up UAE Pass before starting, or ask the sponsor or head of family to file. Read the fix
Note
Photo must differ from the one in your current document
Take a fresh photo rather than reusing the file from your last application. Read the fix
Note
Biometrics (fingerprints and signature) are taken at a service centre for ages 15+ and must be completed within the set period or the application is cancelled.

Good to know before you pay

Any recent ICAO-style white-background photo that is not the one printed on your current Emirates ID can be uploaded as it is; ICP sets no pixel or file-size limit.

Source and verification

VerifiedLast checked 2026-10-08Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), 'New Identity Card Issuance' and 'Identity Card Renewal' service cards, with the ICP FAQ

Read from the official page. Last checked 2026-10-08 at Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), 'New Identity Card Issuance' and 'Identity Card Renewal' service cards, with the ICP FAQ.

What are the requirements for the personal photo for the Identity Card?
The photo must be recent and comply with the specifications of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and must not be identical to the current photograph printed on the ID Card.
The personal photograph must comply with the standards approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
A recent personal photograph must be provided when submitting the application and must not be identical to the current photograph printed on the Emirates ID card.
Individuals who have completed 15 years of age are required to complete the fingerprint and signature procedures through the Authority’s service centers.
Biometrics must be completed within the set period to avoid cancellation.
Attach the required documents in case they are not available through institutional linkage.
According to ICAO standards, photos must fully comply with these requirements, which include: the photo must be recent, with a white background and high quality, showing clear facial features and eyes without visual distortions such as shadows or reflections.
Wearing hats or sunglasses is not allowed, and only medical glasses are permitted, provided they do not cover the eyes.
ما هي شروط الصورة الشخصية لبطاقة الهوية؟ يجب أن تكون الصورة حديثة ومطابقة لمواصفات منظمة الطيران المدني (ICAO) وألا تكون مطابقة للصورة الحالية المطبوعة على بطاقة الهوية.

Quotes 1-2, 8-9 are from the ICP English FAQ (sources/ae/icp-faq-en.txt; identity-card section and 'approved photo standards' answer). Quotes 3, 5-7 are from the 'New Identity Card Issuance' card at source.url (sources/ae/icp-service-new-identity-card.txt); quote 4 is from 'Identity Card Renewal' (sources/ae/icp-service-identity-card-renewal.txt). Quote 10 is the Arabic original of quotes 1-2 (sources/ae/icp-faq-ar.txt). Confidence 'official' because ICP publishes the English text itself. The ID-card pages give no size: physical 3.5 x 4.5 cm is the ICP passport figure applied by inference (flagged in statedAs), head band 0.7-0.8 is the ICAO default (sources/icao/), digital 827 x 1063 px JPEG is our 600 dpi rendering and 'jpeg' our choice (no pixel/KB/format published). glasses 'allowed-no-glare' and headCovering 'religious-medical-only' follow the FAQ standard (hats and sunglasses banned, medical glasses allowed); mouthClosed is an ICAO-style default. maxPhotoAgeMonths undefined ('recent'); printsRequired undefined (upload); child undefined (no child rule published; photo required at every age for the card).

We are an independent service, not a government website. Applying for a passport or visa is done with your government; we only prepare the photo.

Frequently asked questions

Woman taking a selfie with her phone in front of a bright outdoor wall — A plain wall and daylight are enough.