UAE Visa Applications Now Require Passport External Cover Page

(DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES) The United Arab Emirates has quietly added a new step to every visa and entry permit file: applicants must now upload a clear image of the passport’s external cover page along with the biographical data page. The change, in effect since September 2025, applies to all nationalities and all visa categories, from tourist and visit visas to multiple-entry permits and corrections to existing files. Travel agencies and Amer centres say applications that omit the cover page are now treated as incomplete and can be delayed or rejected.

Industry briefings sent to visa processing desks this month confirm the rule is being enforced even though the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) have not issued a public circular. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the practical effect is immediate: people who previously submitted only the data page will now need to add the passport cover page to avoid stoppages mid-process.

Agents say the move aims to cut down on avoidable errors. A travel consultant quoted by Khaleej Times noted past cases where the nationality or issuing country was hard to read on the data page, especially on older or worn passports, and manual checks slowed down visa applications. The visible country name and emblem on the cover help officers confirm the issuing state quickly, reducing data mismatches and back-and-forth requests for clarification. In short, the new item is a simple picture that can save days.

Policy change and immediate scope

The new item in the UAE visa requirements is simple but strict: include the passport cover page for every submission. That includes:

• Tourist and visit visas
• Multiple-entry permits
• Work-related entry permits and corrections to existing files
• Any refiled or updated visa applications processed through agencies, Amer centres, or online channels

Officials and agencies describe the rule as already live across systems. Files missing the cover page can sit pending until the applicant uploads it, which can disrupt travel plans. Families flying in for weddings, students starting courses, and business travelers on tight schedules are at greater risk if they assume older document lists still apply.

Applicants should expect front-end portals and agency templates to catch up over the next few weeks. Until then, print or save your own checklist and make sure the cover image is included at the first step. Processing teams will prioritise complete submissions, and this small extra page is now part of “complete.”

Why it matters for different travelers

• Short-term visitors: this adds a one-time task — scan or photograph the passport cover page with the same care used for the data page.
• Frequent travelers: save a high-resolution image of both pages in a secure folder to remove future hassle.
• Families: one missing image for a child’s passport can hold up the entire group file if applications were bundled together.
• Employers and HR teams: update onboarding instructions immediately to reduce nationality-selection errors in drop-down menus.
• Students: the cover image can avoid late document requests that jeopardize move-in dates.

Travel agents report common blockers that cause rejections or delays:

• Glare on the cover photo
• Shadows that hide the emblem
• Images cropped so tightly that the full country name is cut off

Officers need to see the full front cover. Applicants should retake the photo if any part is unclear.

Updated document checklist

Here is an updated checklist reflecting the change:

• Passport Biographical (Data) Page — must be clear and readable, with the entire page visible.
• Passport External Cover Page — front cover showing the issuing country’s name and emblem, captured in full.
• Passport-Size Photograph — follow UAE visa photo guidelines (neutral background, recent image).
• Round-Trip Ticket — confirmed entry and exit dates, if required by your visa type.
• Hotel Booking or Accommodation Confirmation — booking that covers the entire stay, or host details if staying with family.
• Other Supporting Documents — such as travel insurance or category-specific items requested by your sponsor or agent.

Applicants should upload high-resolution images for both passport pages. Low-quality scans trigger manual checks that slow down files, and in some cases, resubmission requests. A quick test: zoom in on your photo; if text blurs or the emblem is fuzzy, retake it.

Practical steps to adapt

Several practical steps will help people adapt to the change:

1. Check your passport scans now. File both the cover page and the data page in a labeled folder for quick access.
2. Ask your agent or Amer centre to confirm receipt of both pages before paying fees or booking flights.
3. Build extra lead time. While officers adjust to the new rule, allow a buffer in case of resubmission requests.
4. Keep your passport clean and flat when photographing it. Avoid glare from overhead lights and remove plastic sleeves.

Additional photographic tips:

• Use even lighting and avoid flash hotspots.
• Keep the camera square to the page; do not tilt the passport.
• Do not crop off corners or the country name.
• Ensure any emblem on the cover is fully visible.

Impact and enforcement

There is no sign that the cover page requirement changes other UAE visa requirements or fees. The new image acts as a cross-check to verify the issuing country at a glance, which can prevent mistakes that ripple through later steps—like mismatched country codes, wrong nationality entries, or confusion when multiple passports share similar colors or fonts.

Amer centre staff and private agencies say they are aligning intake forms and checklists with the new step. Systems that previously only asked for the data page will now flag missing cover images. Travelers who rely on older templates or saved checklists from earlier trips should not assume those lists are still complete.

Families and first-time visitors may feel the brunt of the transition. If one person forgets the cover page, officers may hold the bundle while requesting the missing image, delaying the entire group. To avoid that, appoint one person to verify that each traveler’s file has both pages attached before submission.

VisaVerge.com reports the rule is consistent with a wider push to reduce data errors at intake. By standardizing the set of images officers see at the start, the process becomes more predictable and may shorten review times once staff fully adopt the change. The early phase, however, can be bumpy while applicants and agents update habits.

What to do if you already filed

For people who already filed without the cover page, the advice is straightforward:

1. Contact your agent or the Amer centre and ask if the file is pending for missing documents.
2. If yes, send a clear image of the cover page promptly.
3. Keep a record of the upload or email so you can show proof if asked later.

Applicants making last-minute plans should be realistic about timing. Even though the cover page is just a single image, any resubmission adds time. Add at least a few extra days to your plan until rejection rates for incomplete files drop. If your travel is fixed—such as a wedding date or a course start—submit earlier and check status often.

“A missing photo of a passport cover is a tough reason to miss a flight.”
The new rule is simple enough to meet, and it may reduce confusion down the line. But it requires attention right now.

Official guidance and next steps

Applicants who need official guidance should monitor the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) services portal: https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/. Even without a public circular, the portal remains the best official reference for core application steps and any future notices.

Travel agencies expect FAQs and help pages to reflect the cover requirement as back-end updates roll out. In the coming weeks, expect more agents to preemptively reject files that lack the cover image at intake to avoid issues later.

Final takeaway

The UAE now expects a full view of the passport, inside and out. Include the passport cover page and the biographical data page in all visa applications. Keep images clear, avoid glare, and confirm receipt before you make nonrefundable plans. With a little care up front, you can avoid the delays this new rule was designed to prevent.