The Saudi Arabia visa photo size for Indian applicants is 3.5cm x 4 cm. All applicants are required to adhere to this standard and submit a recent photo (must be taken within the last six months) with a plain white background and no shadows.
In this blog, we will cover all the essential Saudi Arabia visa photo requirements and help you understand the dos and don’ts of clicking the right visa photo for your application.
|
Specification |
Saudi Arabia Visa Photo Requirement |
|
Size |
3.5 cm × 4.0 cm |
|
Face Size / Proportion |
Face should occupy ~ 70-80% of the photo area |
|
Face Orientation / Expression |
Front-facing, head straight, neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed; no tilt or side turn. Must show both cheeks/ears. |
|
Background |
Plain white; no shadows, patterns, or objects. |
|
Accessories & Headgear |
Glasses are allowed only if there is no glare/reflection and the frames do not obstruct the eyes. Headgear is permitted for religious reasons only but must not cover facial features. |
|
Photo Age / Recency |
Taken within the last 6 months |
|
Digital / File Specs |
JPG/PNG format, file size between 5 KB and 100 KB |
Photo Size
|
Size in Inches |
1.38 × 1.57 inches |
|
Size in CM |
3.5 cm x 4 cm |
|
Size in MM |
35 mm × 40 mm |
|
Size in Pixels |
828 × 944 pixels |
Photo Color & Recentness
- Age of the Photo: It should be a recent photo, NOT older than 6 months
- Photo Color: The photo should be in color.
Photo Background & Lighting
- Background: There should be no shadows, no patterns, and no objects in the picture. It should be a plain white background, without any patterns.
- Lighting:
- The lighting should be sufficient to clearly highlight the applicant’s facial features, details, and expressions.
- It should evenly illuminate the face without creating shadows or uneven brightness.
- The Saudi Arabia visa photo must not be retouched, excessively brightened, or enhanced with high contrast.
Suggested Read: How to Book Saudi Arabia Visa Appointment for Indians
Face Visibility & Expressions
Face Orientation
- The face and shoulders of the applicant should be evenly visible, with the face covering about 70% to 80% of the picture.
- The distance from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin should measure 38 mm.
Facial Expression
Another important feature of the photo specification for a Saudi Arabia visa is your facial expressions:
- Maintain a neutral facial expression.
- No smiling; the mouth must be closed.
- Eyes should be open, with no raised eyebrows or squinting.
- Beards are allowed only if they are part of your regular appearance; otherwise, they won’t be accepted.
- Ensure your entire face is visible, with no shadows.
Attire and Accessories
What you wear in your tourist passport photo for Saudi Arabia visa will largely be out of view, but it’s still important to dress appropriately. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s required:
Attire:
- It’s recommended to choose attire that’s either professional or casual, but avoid anything too formal or too relaxed for Saudi Arabia visa photo specifications.
- Your clothing should not be overly distinctive or distracting, ensuring the focus stays on your face. However, it should be dark enough to stand out against the background.
- A tie or bow tie is optional, but if worn, it should not draw attention away from your face.
- Avoid wearing any type of uniform.
Accessories:
Glasses/Spectacles:
- Prescription glasses are allowed, provided they do not cause any reflection or glare in the photo.
- Tinted glasses or sunglasses are not permitted, as they obscure the eyes and may result in Saudi Arabia visa rejection.
Health Accessories:
- Wearing a hearing aid when taking your Saudi Arabia visa photo is allowed as long as it does not obscure the face or cause shadows.
Jewelry:
- Avoid wearing any accessories that cover your face, such as sunglasses, or chunky jewelry.
- Wear minimal jewelry that does not cause any obstructions or hide your face to avoid Saudi Arabia visa rejection.
Headwear:
- Headwear is generally not permitted for Saudi Arabia visa photos.
- Exceptions are made for religious reasons, as long as the face is fully visible from the chin to forehead.
- Hijabs and turbans are allowed, provided the entire face is clearly visible.
- Headwear must not blend with the background; it should be in solid colors that contrast with the background.
Makeup:
- Makeup is allowed only if it’s very neutral.
- A red lipstick may not be allowed because it will cover up your facial features as per Saudi Arabia visa photo guidelines.
- Avoid colored hair, mascara, wigs, and fake eyelashes, which will alter your usual facial color and daily appearance.
Suggested Read: How To Check Saudi Arabia Visa Status In India
Saudi Arabia Visa Photo Requirements for Children
Saudi Arabia visit visa photo requirements for children are more flexible. Despite these relaxations, the photo must still be clear and taken from the front.
Here are the guidelines that the image must adhere to:
- Babies under 1 year are not required to have their eyes open in the photo.
- The child should be photographed alone. No chair backs, toys, or other people visible.
- The child must face the camera directly, with a neutral expression and closed mouth.
- For children under 10 years, some flexibility is allowed regarding:
- Face height in the photo
- Eye position
- For babies and infants, additional relaxations apply to:
- Face position
- Facial expression
- Eyes and line of sight
Common Reasons For Saudi Arabia Visa Photo Rejection
The official website of the Saudi Arabia embassy clearly states that if the visa photo size or the Saudi Arabia visa photo quality standards for Indians are not followed by the candidates, they may face a rejection:
- Photo Quality: The photo may be blurry, creased, or have ink marks. It may also be printed on low-quality paper.
- Photo Age: The photo may be older than six months.
- Photo Size: The photo may not be the correct size, which is 45 mm by 35 mm.
- Photo Background: The background may not be solid white, or it may have shadows, patterns, or other people in it.
- Facial Expression: The photo may not show a neutral facial expression, or the applicant may be smiling, frowning, or making an exaggerated expression.
- Head Position: The applicant’s head may be turned or tilted, or their face may not be directly facing the camera.
- Glasses: If the applicant wears glasses, they may reflect light or cover their eyes.
- Digital Alterations: The photo may be digitally altered or morphed.
- Photo Attachment: The photo may not be attached to the application with one staple or tape.
Suggested Read: Saudi Arabia Visa Rejection for Indian
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FAQs
Q1. What is the standard size for visa photos for Indians applying for a Saudi Arabian tourist visa?
The standard Saudi Arabia visa photo size must be 3.5 cm x 4 cm for Indians.
Q2. Can I use a photo with a colored background for my Saudi Arabia visa application?
No, you cannot use a photo with a colored background. A photo required for a Saudi Arabia visa must be white and plain, without any additional patterns.
Q3. Are glasses allowed in Saudi Arabia visa photos?
Yes, prescription glasses that do not cover the face or the eyes can be worn. Avoid all other kinds of glasses as per Saudi Arabia visa photo guidelines.
Q4. What facial expression should I have in my visa photo?
When taking a photo for a Saudi Arabia visa application, you must maintain a neutral expression without smiling or frowning.
Q5. What should I do if my Saudi Arabia visa photo is rejected?
If your Saudi Arabia visa photo is rejected, you can reapply for the visa after addressing the reasons for the Saudi Arabia visa rejection and ensuring that all the necessary documentation is complete and accurate.
Q6. Are there specific requirements for infants when taking their Saudi Arabia visa photos?
While the rules are somewhat relaxed, the only Saudi Arabia visa photo requirement for Indian infants is that any physical support used to take the photo must be removed from the final photo.
