A readable passport copy and a suitable photo help your provider prepare the application accurately. This guide focuses on document quality, rather than repeating the full visa eligibility checklist. Start with our Dubai tourist visa requirements guide to confirm which documents apply to your route.
Check the passport copy
- Open the original file and read the name, passport number and dates without guessing.
- Include the complete requested page with its edges visible.
- Check for glare, shadows, blur or fingers covering information.
- Make sure the copy is from the passport the traveller intends to use.
- Confirm with the provider whether any additional passport pages are required.
If the image is difficult to read, take another scan or photograph rather than enlarging a blurred copy. Keep the original-resolution file available. A screenshot passed through several messaging apps may be less useful than the original attachment.
Prepare the photograph
ICP’s published photograph guidance calls for a clear, recent image, a plain light background and a front-facing view with a neutral expression. Confirm the current size, format and upload requirements for your actual service. The guidance linked here helps assess image quality; it is not a substitute for the live portal’s specifications.
Avoid using a cropped group photo or a heavily filtered image. Inspect the result on a larger screen if possible, especially around the eyes and face outline. If the provider rejects a file, ask what needs changing so that a replacement solves the actual issue.
Check the files against the form
| Check | Practical action |
|---|---|
| Identity | Compare spelling and passport details with the application. |
| Dates | Read expiry and other requested dates from the passport. |
| File type and size | Use the specifications supplied for the actual upload service. |
| Applicant grouping | Keep each traveller’s attachments in a separate clearly labelled set. |
Send the right version
Use simple filenames that identify the applicant and document type. Keep old and replacement versions separate, and tell the provider which file should be used. Ask for acknowledgement when sending a correction. Avoid putting unnecessary passport information in filenames or sending it to public comment forms.
What this checklist does not establish
A clear image does not establish eligibility or guarantee approval. Confirm passport validity, the route-specific requirements and any further request through the main requirements guide and your submitting provider. Once your documents are ready, use the final submission checklist for the application as a whole.
Official reference
ICP: photograph quality guidance. Reviewed on 6 October 2026. Check the current service instructions when applying.
Related guides
For help with an application, contact NSB Tourism through our visa services page. Include your nationality, travel date and application reference if you have one. Request the current checklist and a written quotation before proceeding.