UAE Residence Permit Photo Requirements

About UAE Residence Permit

The UAE residence permit (residence visa) is an official document that allows foreign nationals to live and work in the United Arab Emirates. It’s issued as a sticker in the passport and is mandatory for all expatriates residing in the UAE.

What is it used for?

• Legal authorization to reside in the UAE
• Work permit and employment authorization
• Access to government services and healthcare
• Opening bank accounts and financial services
• Obtaining UAE driver’s license
• Sponsoring family members
• Re-entry to UAE after travel
• Proof of legal status for various transactions

How to Obtain UAE Residence Permit

Eligibility Requirements:

• Valid passport with minimum 6 months validity
• UAE entry visa or visit visa
• Sponsor in UAE (employer, family member, or investor)
• Clean criminal record from home country
• Medical fitness certificate

Types of Residence Permits:

1. Employment Visa: Sponsored by UAE employer
2. Family Visa: Sponsored by UAE resident family member
3. Investor Visa: For business owners and investors
4. Student Visa: For enrolled students
5. Retirement Visa: For retirees meeting specific criteria

Application Process:

Step 1: Entry Permit

• Sponsor applies for entry permit
• Applicant enters UAE on entry visa
• Valid for 30-60 days

Step 2: Medical Tests

• Comprehensive medical examination
• Blood tests for infectious diseases
• Chest X-ray for tuberculosis
• Conducted at approved medical centers

Step 3: Emirates ID Application

• Apply for Emirates ID simultaneously
• Biometric data collection
• Photograph submission

Step 4: Residence Visa Stamping

• Submit all documents to ICP
• Pay visa fees
• Passport stamped with residence visa

Required Documents:

• Passport (original with 6+ months validity)
• Entry visa or current visit visa
• Passport photographs (8-10 copies)
• Medical fitness certificate
• Salary certificate (for employment visa)
• Educational certificates (attested)
• Marriage certificate (for family visa)
• Birth certificates (for children)
• No objection certificate from sponsor

Processing Time:

• Entry permit: 3-5 working days
• Medical tests: 1-2 days
• Residence visa: 5-10 working days
• Total process: 2-3 weeks

Fees (vary by emirate):

• Employment visa: AED 2,000-5,000
• Family visa: AED 2,000-3,000
• Medical tests: AED 300-500
• Emirates ID: AED 100-200

Photo Specifications

Key Requirements

• Size: 35 × 45 mm (passport size)
• Face Height: 32–36 mm (measured from chin to crown)
• Background: Plain white or light grey, completely uniform
• Quality: High resolution (minimum 300 DPI), sharp focus, color only
• Recency: Taken within the last 6 months

Technical Specifications

• Head Position: Centered, facing directly forward
• Eye Level: Eyes positioned 50-60% from bottom of photo
• Shoulders: Both shoulders visible and level
• Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and visible
• Lighting: Even, natural lighting without harsh shadows

Additional Requirements

• Glasses: Allowed if worn daily, no reflections or tinted lenses
• Contact Lenses: Natural colors only, no colored contacts
• Headwear: Only for religious or medical reasons, face fully visible
• Clothing: Conservative, avoid white clothing (blends with background)
• Jewelry: Minimal, should not obstruct face
• Makeup: Natural, avoid heavy makeup that alters appearance

Common Rejection Reasons

Photo Quality Issues

• Low resolution or pixelated images
• Blurry or out-of-focus photographs
• Over or under-exposed images
• Digital filters or alterations applied
• Poor color quality or black and white photos

Background Problems

• Non-uniform or colored backgrounds
• Shadows or patterns visible
• Objects or people in background
• Uneven lighting creating variations

Composition Errors

• Incorrect photo dimensions
• Face height outside required range
• Head tilted or not properly centered
• Improper cropping or framing
• Too much or insufficient space around head

Appearance Issues

• Eyes closed or looking away
• Mouth open or inappropriate expression
• Hair covering eyes or face
• Heavy shadows on face
• Reflections on glasses or skin

Technical Violations

• Photos older than 6 months
• Visible photo editing or retouching
• Wrong file format for submission
• Multiple people in photograph
• Insufficient image quality for printing

Tips for Perfect Residence Permit Photos

Professional Photography

• Use experienced photographer familiar with UAE requirements
• Ensure proper studio lighting and white background
• Take multiple shots for best selection

DIY Photography Guidelines

1. Setup: Use pure white background, good lighting
2. Camera: High-resolution camera or quality smartphone
3. Position: Sit straight, maintain eye contact with camera
4. Clothing: Wear dark, conservative clothing
5. Grooming: Neat appearance, hair away from face
6. Expression: Maintain neutral, serious expression

Quality Control

• Check all specifications before printing
• Verify measurements and face height
• Ensure no shadows or reflections
• Print on high-quality photo paper
• Keep digital copies for future applications

Special Considerations

For Family Visas:

• Each family member needs separate photos
• Children’s photos have same requirements
• Spouse photos required for family visa applications

For Renewals:

• New photos required even if appearance unchanged
• Must be taken within 6 months of application
• Previous residence permit must be valid

For Different Emirates:

• Requirements may vary slightly between emirates
• Check with local authorities for specific requirements
• Some emirates may have additional photo specifications

Medical Center Requirements:

• Photos may be required for medical tests
• Same specifications apply
• Usually 2-4 copies needed

Applying for UAE residence permit? Our AI-powered tool creates perfect photos that meet all official ICP requirements for smooth visa processing.