From September 1, 2025, Indian expats in the UAE who want to be issued new passports will be required to present photographic documents that are within the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards. The Indian Consulate in Dubai affirmed that the new rule will compel all applicants as per another order that has been given by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The Indian consulate made it clear that it would only accommodate passport applications with ICAO-compliant photographs, which will be a huge difference among thousands of Indian residents who are renewing or applying for passports in the United Arab Emirates. The same update is also due to be announced by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi in the near future.
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Why the Change?
The MEA of India issues orders on its Passport Seva portal to embassies and consulates across the globe. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) establishes biometric and identity check standards to boost the safety of travel documents. Similar strict standards were introduced by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait earlier this week, meaning that the Gulf is adopting the new rule at the same time.
New Passport Photo Guidelines
Applicants will now need to ensure that their photos meet these strict ICAO requirements:
- Size & Resolution: Colour photo, 630×810 pixels, white background.
- Framing: Close-up of head and shoulders, face covering 80–85% of the frame.
- Expression: Full face, front view, eyes open, mouth closed, natural look.
- Clarity: No shadows, red-eye, flash reflections, or hair across eyes.
- Lighting: Uniform, with natural skin tones.
- Head Position: Centred in the frame, from the top of the hair to the chin.
- Quality: Taken from about 1.5 m away, not blurred or digitally altered.
- Glasses: Must be removed to avoid reflections.
- Head Coverings: Allowed only for religious reasons, but facial features must remain fully visible.
Role of BLS International
The change has been communicated to BLS International, which is the outsourced company to handle the Indian passport application in the UAE. As of publication, however, its website was showing older ICAO standards. Dh30 in-centre photography is available at BLS, although the parents of newborns should be aware that the centres do not have photo facilities for infants at the moment. The other service providers will have to arrange ICAO-compliant photographs for families seeking newborn passports.
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What Expats Should Do
- Check photo specifications twice before you file your application.
- Hire professional photographers who will ensure compliance with the ICAO.
- For the newborns, consult studios familiar with the new international guidelines.
Bottom Line
The update might imply an additional burden on the part of Indian expats seeking passports after September 1, yet the authorities emphasize that the modification will guarantee that Indian passports will also be valid according to international travel laws, and traveling internationally will become easy and safe.