Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai

Dubai, Aug 29: Starting September 1, Indian expats in Dubai applying for new passports or renewals will have to submit photographs that meet the strict specifications of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The directive has been issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs to all missions and consulates, including the Indian Consulate in Dubai.

Under the new rules, all passport applications must carry ICAO-compliant photographs or risk rejection and processing delays. The guidelines emphasize biometric accuracy and uniformity with international travel security standards.

Key ICAO photo requirements:

• Format: Colour photo on plain white background, size 630x810 pixels.
• Framing: Head and shoulders in close-up, face covering 80–85% of the frame.
• Quality: No digital editing, filters or alterations; natural skin tone; sharp and clear image.
• Lighting: Even lighting without shadows, glare, flash reflections, or red-eye.
• Facial Features: Eyes open, mouth closed, head straight and centered; entire head visible from hairline to chin.
• Accessories: No eyeglasses; religious head coverings permitted but face must remain fully visible from chin to forehead.
• Expression/Camera Position: Neutral look, taken from 1.5 meters away.

The consulate has reminded applicants that any non-compliant photos submitted after September 1 will lead to delays. The update is aimed at aligning Indian passports with global biometric identification practices to ensure smooth international travel.

Dubai’s Indian community has been urged to carefully follow the new ICAO photo standards while preparing passport applications.