Dubai Consulate Tightens Passport Photo Rules for Indians: Fresh ICAO-Compliant Pictures Mandatory from Sept.1

The Indian Consulate in Dubai has announced a new rule for passport applications, requiring Indian expats in the UAE to submit photographs that comply with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. The regulation will take effect on September 1, 2025, and is expected to require most applicants to provide fresh photographs when submitting their documents.

 

The move follows a directive from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), issued through its Passport Seva portal to embassies and consulates worldwide. The Consulate’s Press Wing confirmed that applications will only be accepted with ICAO-compliant photographs, in line with global biometric and identity requirements for travel documents.

 

Similar changes have already been announced by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait, while the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi is also expected to issue a notification soon.

 

ICAO-Compliant Photo Guidelines

• Colour photo, 630x810 pixels, with white background

• Head and shoulders close-up, face covering 80–85% of frame

• Full face, front view, eyes open, natural expression

• No hair across eyes; mouth closed; no shadows, red-eye, or flash reflections

• Uniform lighting with natural skin tones

• Head centred in the frame, from hair top to chin

• Taken from approx. 1.5m away, not blurred or digitally altered

• Glasses not permitted; religious head coverings allowed if facial features remain visible

 

BLS International’s Role

The consulate has conveyed the new rule to its outsourced passport service provider, BLS International, and posted details on its website. However, at the time of publication, BLS’s website was still displaying the old ICAO standards followed by Indian missions.

 

According to its site, BLS offers a photography service for an additional Dh30 but does not provide facilities to photograph newborns. Parents applying for infant passports will therefore need to seek external service providers capable of producing ICAO-compliant photos.

 

For any enquiries please fill out this form, or contact info@thelawreporters.com  Follow  The Law Reporters on WhatsApp Channels