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UAE Photo Size Cheat Sheet
Sizes people quote for UAE visa, Emirates ID and passport photos, in one table. These figures come from third-party guides and disagree in places. Official pages give only general rules, so treat the upload form as the final word.
| Document | Print size | Digital size often quoted | File size often quoted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa, GDRFA Dubai | 43 x 55 mm | 300 x 369 px | about 200 to 600 KB |
| Visa, ICP Smart Services | 43 x 55 mm | 1016 x 1300 px | about 1 to 15 MB |
| Visa, alternative figures | 35 x 45 mm | 413 x 531 px | up to 500 KB |
| Emirates ID | 35 x 40 mm | 826 x 945 px at 600 DPI | 1 to 15 MB |
| Passport | 40 x 60 mm | 945 x 1417 px at 600 DPI | 1 to 15 MB |
What the official pages say
We checked the official ICP and GDRFA Dubai pages in November 2026. ICP FAQ: a visa application needs a colour personal photo on a white background, and an Emirates ID photo must be recent, follow ICAO specifications and not be identical to the photo on the current card. GDRFA Dubai, single-entry tourist visa: the requirements list says only "one personal photo". Neither page publishes pixel sizes, DPI or file-size limits, so the numbers in the table come from third-party guides. The upload form in your application is the only place that shows the limits it enforces.
How to use this table
- Find your portal on the upload page and note its width, height and maximum file size.
- If it matches a row above, pick that preset in the photo resizer.
- If not, choose Custom and type the numbers shown on the page.
More detail: visa, Emirates ID, passport, Dubai GDRFA vs ICP.
Frequently asked questions
Why do guides give different UAE visa photo sizes?
Printed visa photos are most often quoted at 43 x 55 mm, but some guides quote 35 x 45 mm, 35 x 40 mm or 4.5 x 3.5 cm. Online portals also set their own pixel and file-size limits, and guides copy each other without checking.
Do official pages list pixel sizes and file limits?
No. The ICP FAQ asks for a colour photo on a white background for visas and ICAO-compliant, recent photos for Emirates ID. The GDRFA Dubai tourist visa page lists only "one personal photo". Pixel and file-size limits appear on the upload form, not on those pages.
What should I do if the upload page shows a different number?
Follow the upload page. Use the Custom option in the photo resizer and enter its width, height and maximum file size.
Last reviewed 2026-11.