Step-by-step tutorials
Saudi visa photo requirements: the eVisa photo rules and how to take one that passes
In short
For the Saudi eVisa, the official portal asks for a square photo of 200 x 200 pixels, 5 to 100 KB, on a plain white background, less than six months old, with the face square to the camera filling 70 to 80% of the image. Headwear is generally not allowed, with exceptions for religious reasons as long as the face is visible from chin to forehead.
Private service, not affiliated with the Saudi authorities.
The official eVisa photo requirements
The eVisa portal publishes a page of photo instructions. It covers four points: format, background, expression and headwear. Here is what it requires.
| Point | Required | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Square, 200 x 200 pixels, 5 to 100 KB | Uncropped portrait photo, file too large |
| Framing | Face and top of the shoulders, 70 to 80% of the image | Full-length shot, face too small |
| Background | White, plain, no shadows | Coloured wall, pattern, door, another person |
| Pose | Head straight, eyes towards the camera | Head tilted, three-quarter view |
| Age of photo | Less than six months | A passport photo from five years ago |
| Headwear | Religious exception, face clear from chin to forehead | Cap, hood, shadow on the face |
The KSA Visa platform of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has its own form, states on its photo screen a PNG or JPEG file of up to 5 MB, and offers to crop the photo. Either way, follow the instructions the portal shows when you send the photo.
What you need before you start
- A white wall or a large white sheet pulled tight, with no creases.
- A window in front of you, or two lamps either side of your face.
- A phone or camera, and someone to hold it.
- A simple photo editing app, to crop to a square and reduce the size.
Taking the photo, step by step
Choose the light
Face a window in daylight, out of direct sun. The light should fall evenly on your face, with neither side darker.
Set up the background
Stand about half a metre from a plain white wall: that gap keeps your shadow off it. Clear any objects from the frame.
Remove what gets in the way
Take off caps, earphones and eye-catching jewellery. Photo services also advise removing glasses, to avoid glare and frames over the eyes.
Arrange your headscarf if you wear one
Religious headwear falls within the stated exceptions. Keep the face clear from the lower tip of the chin to the forehead, and check that no shadow falls on your forehead or cheeks.
Face the camera
Head straight, shoulders square, eyes on the lens. Both ears and both cheeks should show. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed.
Shoot at eye level
The person taking the photo holds the phone at your eye level, about a metre away, without heavy zoom. Take several shots.
Pick the best one
Keep a sharp photo with eyes open, no glare and no blur. Zoom in on screen to check the details.
Crop to a square
Crop to a square: face and top of the shoulders, with a small margin above the head, the face filling 70 to 80% of the image.
Resize the file
Reduce the image to 200 x 200 pixels and save it as a JPEG. Check that the file is between 5 and 100 KB.
Check before you send it
Go through the table above point by point: white background, no shadows, face centred, recent photo. A refused photo holds up the whole application.
Mistakes that get a photo refused
- Grey, cream or patterned background: it must be white.
- A shadow behind the head, or on the face under a headscarf or fringe.
- Face too small, photo taken from too far away.
- Blurred or dark photo, often taken in the evening.
- Arm's-length selfie: distorted face and tilted head.
- An old passport photo scanned in: not recent, and often blurred once cropped.
- Another person or object visible in the frame.
What about the Umrah visa?
The Umrah visa is applied for through an approved platform such as Nusuk, or through the external agent in your country, according to the FAQ of the Saudi ministry in charge of Umrah. If a photo is requested, follow that platform's instructions. In our process, no separate photo is requested for a traveller whose Umrah visa goes through Nusuk.
Not sure yet which visa applies to you? Our tutorial on how to check Saudi eVisa eligibility tells you. For the rest of the application, see applying for the eVisa step by step.
What myumrahvisa does for you
When we file your eVisa, the photo is checked before submission: a light, plain background, sharpness, lighting and size. We prepare it from your passport or from the photo you send, and yours always takes priority. If it does not pass, we tell you why and how to retake it. See the page for individual travellers.
Frequently asked questions
What size is the Saudi eVisa photo?
200 x 200 pixels, with a file of 5 to 100 KB, according to the official eVisa portal's photo page. The face must fill 70 to 80% of the image.
Can I wear a hijab in my Saudi visa photo?
The official portal generally does not allow headwear, but accepts exceptions, especially for religious reasons. The face must then be visible from the lower tip of the chin to the forehead, with no shadows.
Can I keep my glasses on?
The official page does not mention them. Specialist photo services accept them if the eyes are clearly visible, with no glare or tinted lenses. The safest choice is to take them off.
Can I take the photo with my phone?
Yes, as long as it meets the requirements: plain white background, even light, face square to the camera and sharp. Ask someone else to take it rather than holding the phone at arm's length.
Should I smile?
No. The official page asks for the head to be straight and square to the camera. Photo services advise a neutral expression with the mouth closed.
Do I need a photo for the Umrah visa?
It depends on the platform that files the application. In our process, no separate photo is requested for a traveller whose Umrah visa goes through Nusuk.
Sources
Rules change: these are the sources this guide relies on, with the date we consulted them.