May 29, 2026 · Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Passport Photo Requirements 2026 – General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) Rules
The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) issues the Saudi Arabian passport using ICAO biometric standards. This guide covers the official photo specifications for the Saudi passport, the Iqama residency permit, the Hawiyya national ID card, tourist and business visa applications, and the religious headwear rules for both men and women.
Quick summary
35×45mm, plain white background, neutral expression, no glasses, both eyes fully visible, taken within 6 months. Women may wear abaya and hijab (face fully visible). Men must be bare-headed. Jawazat follows the ICAO biometric standard.
Core Photo Requirements
The following specifications apply to all Saudi Arabian passport applications and renewals at Jawazat offices within Saudi Arabia and at Saudi embassies and consulates abroad.
- Size: 35mm wide × 45mm tall (ICAO standard).
- Background: Plain white. No shadows, patterns, or colour gradients. The background must be uniformly white.
- Expression: Neutral. Mouth closed. Both eyes fully open and directed at the camera.
- Glasses: Not permitted. Jawazat follows the ICAO standard prohibiting all eyewear in biometric passport photos.
- Recency: Taken within 6 months of the application date.
- Colour: Full colour only. Black-and-white photos are not accepted.
- Retouching: No digital filters or alterations to your appearance.
Religious Headwear Rules: Women and Men
Women: An abaya and hijab are permitted in Saudi passport, Iqama, and Hawiyya photos. The full face — including forehead, both cheeks, jawline, and chin — must be completely visible. No part of the face may be covered, and no shadows may fall on the face from the head covering.
Men: Men must be bare-headed for all Saudi biometric document photos. Traditional head coverings such as the ghutra, shimagh, or keffiyeh are not permitted. The Jawazat requires that the hair and full face be clearly visible for biometric processing.
Iqama (Residency Permit) Photo Requirements
The Iqama is the residency permit issued to foreign nationals living and working in Saudi Arabia. It uses the same 35×45mm ICAO photo specifications as the Saudi passport. In most cases, the biometric photo for the Iqama is captured on-site at a government service centre (Jawazat office) or through the Absher digital platform.
Employers in Saudi Arabia typically manage the Iqama application process for their employees. Confirm the current photo submission process — whether on-site capture or digital upload — with your employer or the relevant Jawazat office.
Hawiyya (Saudi National ID Card) Photo Requirements
The Hawiyya (Saudi National Identity Card) is issued to Saudi nationals and uses the same 35×45mm ICAO photo specifications as the passport. The photo requirements — white background, neutral expression, no glasses, face fully visible — are identical for both documents. The Hawiyya is issued by the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) and is renewed alongside the Saudi passport.
Saudi Arabia Tourist and Business Visa Photo Requirements
Foreign nationals applying for a Saudi Arabia tourist visa or business visa must submit the same 35×45mm ICAO-standard photo. Many visa applications are now processed digitally through the Saudi MOFA Visa Portal (visa.mofa.gov.sa). For applicants from Germany:
- Saudi Embassy in Berlin (primary consular office for Germany).
- Saudi Consulate General in Munich (for applicants in Bavaria and southern Germany).
- Same 35×45mm white background ICAO photo required for both embassy applications and portal uploads.
- Photo taken within 6 months of the application date.
Saudi Arabian Documents: Photo Requirement Comparison
| Document | Photo size | Background | Glasses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Passport | 35×45mm | White | No | ICAO biometric, Jawazat issued |
| 🪪 Iqama (Residency Permit) | 35×45mm (on-site) | Controlled | No | Jawazat / Absher process |
| 🪪 Hawiyya (National ID) | 35×45mm | White | No | Saudi nationals only |
| 🛂 Saudi Tourist / Business Visa | 35×45mm | White | No | MOFA Visa Portal or Embassy |
Always verify current requirements with the Jawazat (jawazat.gov.sa) or your nearest Saudi Embassy or Consulate.
Common Rejection Reasons for Saudi Passport Photos
Glasses or eyewear visible
Remove all glasses before the photo. Prescription frames are not exempt from the ICAO requirement.
Background not plain white
Use a uniformly white background. Off-white, cream, light grey, or coloured backgrounds are not accepted.
Shadow on the face or background
Stand at least 1 metre from the background wall. Use even front lighting to eliminate all shadows.
Man wearing head covering
Men must be bare-headed. Ghutra, shimagh, keffiyeh, and all other head coverings must be removed.
Face partially obscured
The full face — forehead, cheeks, jawline, and chin — must be fully visible. No hair, headwear, or accessories may cover any part of the face.
Digital filters or beauty retouching applied
Submit the photo without any digital filters, skin smoothing, or appearance alterations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Saudi Arabia passport photo?
Saudi passport photos must be 35×45mm (width × height), following the ICAO biometric standard. The face must be centred, fully visible from chin to crown, with a neutral expression and both eyes fully open.
What background colour is required for a Saudi passport photo?
The background must be plain white, uniformly lit with no shadows on the background or behind the head. The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) follows the ICAO white background requirement.
Can women wear a hijab or abaya in a Saudi passport photo?
Yes. Women may wear an abaya and hijab in their Saudi passport photo provided the full face — including forehead, both cheeks, jawline, and chin — is completely visible. No part of the face may be covered. No shadows may fall on the face from the head covering.
Do Saudi men need to be bare-headed in passport photos?
Yes. Men must be bare-headed (no ghutra, shimagh, keffiyeh, or other headwear) for Saudi passport, Iqama, and Hawiyya photos. The Jawazat requires that hair and the full face be clearly visible for biometric processing.
What are the photo requirements for a Saudi Iqama (residency permit)?
The Saudi Iqama (residency permit) uses the same 35×45mm ICAO photo specifications as the Saudi passport: white background, neutral expression, no glasses, face fully visible. The biometric photo is often captured on-site at a Jawazat office or through the Absher platform.
What are the photo requirements for a Saudi Arabia tourist or business visa?
Saudi Arabia tourist and business visa applications require the same 35×45mm ICAO photo: white background, neutral expression, no glasses, face fully visible. For applications from Germany, contact the Saudi Embassy in Berlin or the Saudi Consulate General in Munich.
Always verify current requirements with the official authority — General Directorate of Passports Saudi Arabia (jawazat.gov.sa) or your nearest Saudi Embassy or Consulate. Requirements may be updated without notice.
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