The Indian Embassy in Doha has issued a new advisory on updated passport photo requirements for Indian nationals residing in Qatar. The announcement comes after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) launched the Global Passport Seva System, which mandated all applicants to upload ICAO-compliant photographs while applying for or renewing passports.

The embassy stressed that compliance with the new photo standards is essential to avoid delays or rejections in passport processing.

Key guidelines:

• The photo should be a close-up of the head and shoulders, with 80–85% of the face covered in the frame.
• It should be a colour photo, 630 x 810 pixels.
• The photos should be on a white background, unaltered using computer software and without shadows.
• Applicants should have their eyes open, their mouth closed, and look directly into the camera with a natural expression.
• Hair should not cover the eyes, and the image should be sharp and well-lit.
• Avoid red-eye, glare, and flash reflections
• Glasses should be removed to prevent reflections.
• Headscarves are permitted only for religious reasons, but the full face from the chin to the forehead must be clearly visible.

The Embassy urges applicants to carefully follow these updated ICAO photo standards to ensure smooth and timely passport services.