New mandatory standards for the photo in the ID card

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security revealed that the Emirates ID card services, the unified form services (residency and ID card), and residency issuance and renewal services will be amended, making it compulsory that the personal photo that is attached to the applications conform to the standards approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The personal photo will be attached to all Emirates ID card services for all age groups.

The guide published by the Authority on its website stressed that it is important that the quality of the photos taken be clear and of high resolution, so 10 guiding points must be taken into account: The photo must be recent and taken within the past six months, and the photo must be 35 to 40 wide. mm, and that the head and top of the shoulder be parallel to the photographic lens so that the lens can capture 70-80% of the image, and that the person maintains sharp focus and constant expression, and that the image must be of high-quality resolution (without traces of ink or wrinkles), and that the level of the eyes be towards The camera lens, the image must reflect natural skin tones, the image must have appropriate brightness and contrast without any extreme or incomplete light conflict, the image must be professionally printed on paper of high quality and resolution, and the image taken with a digital camera must be in color. High quality, printed on photo quality paper.

She referred to the standards for the method of capture and lighting, as she stressed that it is important that the quality of the images taken be clear and of high resolution, so five guiding points must be taken into account: the image must have high-quality colors, the eyes must be clearly open, and the hair must not cover them, and The head and top of the shoulder should be parallel to the photographic lens and the person should not be in a tilted position.

The background of the photo must also be clear, of a light color, with a clear difference between the face and the background of the photo, and the photo must be taken with uniform lighting and do not show any shadow or reflection of the flash light in photography, which has a color shift, which makes the eyes appear red.

Regarding wearing glasses, she explained that it is important that the quality of the photos taken is clear and of high resolution, so it must be taken into account that the photo has high-quality colors, and that the photo shows the eyes clearly and that there is no reflection of the flash on the glasses, while avoiding thick frames and colored lenses. Commitment to wearing glasses with light frames, and the glasses must not hide the features of the eyes.

Regarding head coverings, they are not allowed except for religious reasons, as the facial features must be clearly shown from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, and both sides of the face. As for facial expressions, the picture must be of the same person and not of another person, while avoiding showing (children’s chairs or Toys or any visible people), and the photo should be taken with the mouth closed and the head and gaze parallel to the camera.

The Authority has recently begun the first phase of issuing the upgraded version of the national ID card, as part of the transition to the new generation of ID cards and passports.

The new ID card has five new features: reducing costs, not having to carry it or print the documents contained in it, as he can use the electronic version to complete his transactions with other parties, linking it to people’s biometric fingerprints, and the possibility of reading it electronically via the “QR” feature, and facilitating access. Secure through security devices, as well as security features and information that are difficult to forge.

The authority pointed out that citizens and residents can access the website, view the existing documents, and then send exact electronic copies of the identity, in terms of the data contained in it, to other concerned authorities. The “QR Code” feature has also been added to read them electronically and make them valid for the authorities. concerned.

The electronic version can be used via QR Code scanning technology to enable the card to be read instantly, as it is automatically created when entering the customer’s document wallet in the smart application.

The electronic form of the card is characterized by the data appearing on the card, by reading it directly from the Authority’s database. This process enhances the ease of verifying the effectiveness of the card issued by the service authorities in the event that the printed card is not available to the holder.

Security features

The project for the new generation of Emirati passports and national ID cards was approved to be a new design for ID cards, and the use of high security features, operating systems and advanced technologies that reduce security risks, making it difficult to copy, counterfeit and counterfeit. The new generation also raises the levels of electronic security of these documents as a result of their smart features.