The Indian passport. ARCHIVE

Starting on September 1, Indian nationals applying for new passports or renewals in the UAE will need to comply with updated passport photo requirements issued by the Indian Consulate. The directive, aligned with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, requires biometric-compliant photos to strengthen security in international travel documents. According to the updated rules, photographs must meet the following criteria: • Format: Colored photo on a plain white background, size 630x810 pixels. • Framing: Close-up of head and shoulders, with the face covering 80–85 percent of the frame. • Quality: No filters, natural skin tones, no blurring. • Lighting: Even lighting, no shadows, glare, or red-eye. • Facial features: Neutral expression, eyes fully visible, mouth closed. Entire head centered in frame. • Accessories: No glasses; head coverings allowed only for religious reasons, but facial features must remain visible. • Camera distance: Taken from approximately 1.5 meters away. The Ministry of External Affairs in India confirmed the change through the Passport Seva portal, stating: “From September 1, 2025, ICAO-compliant photographs will be required for submitting passport applications.” The update means that many Indian expats will need to have new photos taken to ensure their applications are processed without delay. ICA/Expat Media
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