Indian expatriates living in Dubai who are applying for a new passport or renewing their existing one will now have to follow updated photo requirements starting from September 1. The Indian Consulate in Dubai confirmed that the new rules are in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and must be strictly followed by all applicants. This decision was made following directives from the Ministry of External Affairs of India, which instructed embassies and consulates around the world to adopt these measures through the Passport Seva portal.
For years there was some flexibility with passport photo requirements. Minor deviations in size, lighting, or framing were often accepted. However, this will no longer be the case. Under the new rules, only photographs that fully comply with ICAO norms will be considered valid. This ensures that Indian passports meet global biometric standards and can be read by machines at airports worldwide without rejection or delay.
The updated requirements may seem minor but they are significant. Passport photographs must now be taken in colour against a plain white background and must measure exactly 630 by 810 pixels or two by two inches if printed. The face should occupy between 80 to 85 percent of the frame with both head and shoulders clearly visible. Applicants must maintain a neutral expression with eyes open and mouth closed. Hair should not cover the eyes, glasses must be removed, and while head coverings are permitted for religious reasons, the full face must remain visible. No filters or edits are allowed and the natural skin tone must appear clearly without glare, red eye, or shadows.
The Indian Consulate in Dubai has advised residents to carefully review these new requirements before scheduling their passport appointments. Applicants are encouraged to get their photographs taken at professional studios that understand the ICAO guidelines, to avoid the risk of rejection. This will save time and effort since any non compliant photo will result in delays in passport issuance.
The introduction of these new standards marks an important step for India’s global mobility efforts. By adopting ICAO compliant photo norms, Indian passports will now be better aligned with international biometric systems, reducing the chances of complications at immigration desks across different countries. Dubai is among the first places where these rules are being implemented, but other Indian missions abroad have already begun adopting them. Kuwait has rolled out similar measures and Abu Dhabi is expected to follow soon.
For the Indian community in Dubai, which represents one of the largest expatriate populations in the region, these new rules are especially significant. With so many residents relying on regular passport renewals for work, travel, and family visits, the enforcement of uniform global standards is expected to make travel smoother and more efficient in the long run.
While some applicants may find the stricter photo rules inconvenient at first, the benefits outweigh the adjustments. A compliant passport photo means less chance of facing immigration issues, faster processing times, and improved security features in line with international practices.
For Indian expatriates in Dubai, this change highlights how important it is to stay updated with consular announcements. As global standards evolve, compliance ensures hassle free travel and stronger recognition of Indian documents worldwide.
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