Saudi Arabia Passport Photo Requirements — Complete Guide

Square Saudi passport photo size explained

The standard Saudi passport photo size is 50 mm × 50 mm (square). For online applications, the size is 35 mm × 45 mm. Iqama (residence permit) and e-Visa photos use 35 mm × 45 mm. Make sure you use the correct dimensions for your specific application type. Always verify with the official Ministry of Interior before submitting.

When the stated cap is in KB, you need a file you can measure, not guess at: Compress Image to KB

Saudi photos call for a plain white background

A plain white background is required for all Saudi passport and visa photos. The background must be free of patterns, textures, shadows, or objects. Lighting should be even across the face with no harsh shadows. The photo must be in colour with natural skin tones.

More often than not the wall is the problem rather than the face, so replace the background before you print: Background Eraser

Saudi passport photos need a straight-on pose

Saudi requirements begin with orientation: a full-face view, facing the camera directly — no side profile, no three-quarter angle, no looking over the shoulder. The expression stays neutral with the mouth closed and the eyes open and level with the lens. Head coverings are accepted for religious reasons only, and the whole face from chin to forehead must remain visible so the officer can read both edges of it.

Do Saudi passport photos have a glasses rule?

Head coverings are permitted for religious reasons only, and nothing else may cover the face. The photo must be a full-face view facing the camera directly — no side or angled views are accepted, and hats, caps or fashion headwear are not allowed. Keep the background plain white with no shadows or patterns behind the head, and shoot in colour with natural skin tones so the face reads clearly at 50 mm × 50 mm.

Full face view with no angle in Saudi photos

Size in Saudi Arabia depends on the route. The printed passport and visa photograph is a square 50 mm × 50 mm, while online applications take 35 mm × 45 mm with the file kept to 3 KB – 18 KB at no more than 200 dpi. The same online constraints apply to an Iqama picture. Cropping the square down to the rectangle, or enlarging a small file past the limit, is where applications stall.

A Saudi passport photo taken within the last 6 months

Colour, natural skin tones, and taken within the last six months — those three conditions carry the Saudi recency rule. A scanned copy of an older photo fails on the first two alone, even when the geometry is flawless, because the image is judged against the applicant standing in front of the officer. Retake close to the application date, and keep the original file rather than re-printing from a compressed copy.

Two copies of a Saudi passport photo, in color

Saudi passport, visa, and Iqama applications all require 2 photos. When you use PicToPassport, you receive a digital file sized exactly for the 50 × 50 mm passport format plus a print-friendly layout with multiple copies on a single page. The digital file can be uploaded directly or taken to a photo shop for professional printing.

Home printing costs less per copy than a shop, and the sheet handles the layout: 4x6 Passport Photo Print Sheet

Mistakes that get Saudi square photos rejected

The most frequent reasons for rejection are wrong dimensions, a non-white background, side or angled views, and photos older than six months. Other issues include tilting the head, smiling, having hair cover the face, or wearing fashion headwear. Always double-check the Saudi passport photo requirements before submitting.

Saudi baby photo help for parents

Infants are photographed to the adult square — 50 mm × 50 mm on plain white — and Saudi guidance requires both eyes open, so wait for a settled, awake moment rather than shooting a sleeping baby. Lay the child on a white sheet, shoot from directly above in daylight, and support the head from outside the picture. No hands, toys or pacifiers in frame, and the face stays uncovered from chin to forehead.

PicToPassport is built for Saudi passport photos

Saudi passport and visa photos are 50 mm × 50 mm square, while online and Iqama photos are 35 mm × 45 mm — PicToPassport produces either, free and in the browser. The background is plain white with no shadows or patterns, the view is full-face and square to the camera, and online output stays within 3 KB – 18 KB at no more than 200 dpi. For paper, take the print-ready set of 2 photos; nothing is uploaded or leaves your device.