UAE visa photo for Indians: white background, ICP rules

Short answer: a UAE visit visa for an Indian needs a colour photo with a white background, uploaded with the application (ICP: personal photo specifications). Indians with a US visa or green card, or a UK or EU residence permit, can get a pre-approved visa on arrival instead, which also asks for a white-background photo (GDRFA Dubai: visa on arrival for citizens of India).

Read on the official pages below on 4 November 2026. Visa rules change, so check the official page before you apply.

How the photo is givenUploaded with the online application
Photo rules35×45 mm, white background: UAE Visa (ICP, GDRFA) photo rules
All photo sizesVisa photos for visiting the UAE

How it works from India

  1. Most Indians get a visit visa through an airline, a UAE sponsor or the ICP and GDRFA websites, uploading a photo with the application (ICP: personal photo specifications).
  2. Holding a US visa or green card, or a UK or EU residence permit? Apply online first for the 14-day visa on arrival (GDRFA Dubai: visa on arrival for citizens of India).
  3. Holding a residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand, or the US, UK or EU? The ICP's 60-day visa also asks for a personal photo (ICP: 60-day visa for nationals of certain countries residing abroad).
  4. Use a recent colour photo on white, facing the camera, with no glasses or shadows (ICP: personal photo specifications).

Or make it at home. Picproved costs ₹199 for 3 photos (free while we launch) for one person's photo in every size you need, and it checks the size, background, head size and face rules before you save. The office still makes the final decision. Make your UAE Visa (ICP, GDRFA) photo

Questions

What size is the UAE visa photo for Indians?
The ICP rules follow the passport photo standard: a recent colour photo on a white background. Picproved makes it at 35×45 mm and checks the background is white.
Can I use a photo with a blue background for a UAE visa?
No. The ICP asks for a white background.

Visa photos for Indians: other countries

Indian passport photo · OCI photo · All Indian documents