Dubai – The Indian Consulate in Dubai has announced a new passport application rule for Indian expatriates in the UAE, requiring updated ICAO-compliant photographs with every application. According to a report by Gulf News, the rule will come into effect from September 1, 2025, impacting thousands of Indian passport applicants across the country.
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Why the Change?
The new directive follows instructions from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), issued via the Passport Seva portal to embassies and consulates worldwide. The rule ensures compliance with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) guidelines — the global aviation authority responsible for setting biometric and identity standards for travel documents.
The Press Wing of the Indian Consulate in Dubai confirmed that from September 1, only ICAO-compliant photographs will be accepted for passport applications. The move aligns UAE missions with other Indian embassies, as the Indian Embassy in Kuwait has already rolled out stricter photo standards, while the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi is expected to follow soon.
New Passport Photo Guidelines
As per the updated ICAO standards, passport photos must meet the following requirements:
- Photo Size: 630×810 pixels, colour, with a plain white background.
- Face Position: Close-up of head and shoulders; face covering 80–85% of the frame.
- Expression: Full face, front view, eyes open, natural expression.
- Clarity: No hair across eyes, mouth closed, no shadows, red-eye, or flash reflections.
- Lighting: Even lighting with natural skin tones, no digital alterations.
- Framing: Head must be centred — from top of hair to chin.
- Distance: Taken from about 1.5m away; sharp, not blurred.
- Glasses: Not permitted, to avoid glare or reflections.
- Head Coverings: Allowed only for religious reasons, provided facial features are clearly visible.
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What About BLS International?
The consulate has also notified BLS International, its outsourced passport application service provider, about the new requirements. However, as of the time of publication, the BLS website still displayed the old ICAO photo standards that Indian missions had previously been following.
BLS does offer a passport photography service for Dh30, but their website clarifies that they do not currently provide photos for newborn babies. Parents applying for newborn passports will therefore need to obtain ICAO-compliant photographs from other certified service providers.
What Indian Expats Should Do
If you’re an Indian expat in the UAE planning to apply for a passport after September 1, you’ll need to:
- Ensure your photographs strictly follow the new ICAO standards.
- Double-check your photo requirements before submitting your application to avoid rejection.
- Consider visiting professional photo studios familiar with ICAO-compliant passport photos, especially for children and newborns.
📌 This update was first reported by Gulf News and confirmed by the Indian Consulate in Dubai.
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