The Embassy of the UAE in Dubai may require you to submit a photograph along with your Emirates ID application. This is if you wish to apply for a new residency visa and Emirates ID, or if your residence visa and Emirates ID are about to expire.

In a recent update, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) required applicants to upload a photograph in order to apply using the new electronic process.

ICP's Director of Customer Happiness Department Nasser Ahmed Al Abdouli stated that the system may reject photographs if certain requirements are not met.

As the subject of a smart services system based on electronic image processing, it is simply a matter of taking into account the provision of personal photos that comply with international guidelines and standards, which may prevent some images from being accepted if they do not meet the standards, said he.

Following guidelines issued by the ICP, all age groups must meet the following specifications to have their photographs submitted via smart systems:

1. Photograph: high quality, recent, and colored, not older than six months (40 mm by 35 mm)

2. White background.

3. The expression should be neutral (non-exaggerated, natural).

4. Straight posture. The head should be parallel to the lens, not tilted to one side or the other.

5. Open eyes without wearing colored lenses and looking directly into the camera.

6. Glasses: May be worn as long as they are not obscure or reflect light.

7. Dress code: As in the passport photo.

8. Head coverings: Based on national dress or religious beliefs.

9. For best results, resolution (pixels) should be at least 600 dpi without traces of ink or shrinkage

A recent educational workshop held by the ICP with photo studios in the UAE aimed at introducing them to the standards and requirements for the government's Emirates ID photos was also mentioned by Al Abdouli.

The move is being made as part of efforts aimed at ensuring customer happiness by enabling flexibility in obtaining standards for images when they are taken at photo service providers, as a precursor to automating the process of inserting personal photos to applications when they are submitted electronically.

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