UAE Visa and Emirates ID Photo Size: What Is the Difference
A common mistake when applying for UAE documents is using one photo for both the Emirates ID and a UAE visa. They are two different applications with two different photo sizes, and mixing them up is one of the most common reasons a photo gets rejected.
Emirates ID photo size
The Emirates ID (issued by ICP, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) commonly uses 35 x 45 mm, on a plain white background, in color, with your face filling roughly 70 to 80 percent of the frame.
UAE visa photo size
A UAE visa photo (sometimes called a Dubai visa photo) is commonly requested at 43 x 55 mm, white background. Some official guidance instead states a narrower 35 to 40 mm width for the same close-up framing, so specifications can differ slightly by the exact visa route or portal. Because of this, always confirm the exact figure on the form or portal you are using before you submit.
Crop your photo for either one
- Open Passport photo and choose a clear, front-facing photo against a plain background.
- Open the size list under Middle East / Gulf and choose UAE Emirates ID (35 x 45 mm) or UAE visa (43 x 55 mm), depending on which document you need.
- Use Zoom and the position sliders so your head fills the guide oval.
- Download the JPG for your application.
Preparing the rest of your documents
If you also need to submit a scan of your passport or Emirates ID alongside the photo, use ID card scanner to combine the front and back into one PDF, or Scan to PDF for a passport page.
Good to know
- Do not reuse an Emirates ID photo for a visa application, or the other way round. The sizes and sometimes the background shade differ.
- Glasses, tinted lenses and head coverings (except for religious reasons) are generally not accepted; check the current ICP guidance for your case.
- This tool only crops and resizes. It does not check lighting or background, so compare your result with the official requirements before you submit.
Quick answers
Can I use the same photo for both documents?
It is safer not to, since the Emirates ID and UAE visa use different sizes. Crop your photo twice with the correct preset for each.
Why do some sources give a different visa size?
Photo requirements can vary slightly by the exact visa type, the issuing authority's current guidance, and whether you are applying online or in person. Always check the current instructions for your specific application.
Is my photo uploaded when I use this tool?
No. Cropping happens inside your browser.
Try it now with Passport photo. It is free and your file is never uploaded.
Open Passport photo