Global Passport Seva 2.0 norms effective in Saudi Arabia from today: Details

Riyadh: The Ministry of External Affairs has launched Global Passport Seva (GPS) version 2.0, which will apply to all passport applicants from Saudi Arabia starting today. It's an upgraded online system for passport services and makes applications and renewals faster for Indians there. In a public notice posted on its official social media handles, the Embassy reminded all new applicants to submit their passport applications in accordance with the newly issued guidelines for the upgraded system.

Guidelines for submitting online applications
Applicants must visit this website to fill out the online application form. The ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation)-compliant photograph must be uploaded. Applicants are also required to share a colour soft copy of the ICAO-compliant photograph with the Passport Seva Centre.

Specifications for ICAO-compliant photographs
 The photograph submitted for the passport application must strictly adhere to the following criteria:
1) The face should occupy 80–85% of the photograph, showing a close-up of the head and the top of the shoulders.
2) The photograph must be in colour, with dimensions of 630 x 810 pixels.
3) The image should not be altered by any computer software programme.
4) The background must be white.

Photo standards:
1) The applicant must look directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
2) Skin tones should appear natural, with proper brightness and contrast.
3) Eyes must be open and clearly visible, with no hair covering them.
4) The photo should be taken in uniform lighting, avoiding shadows or flash reflections on the face and there must be no red-eye effect.
5) The mouth should be closed.

6) The photograph should be taken from a distance of about 1.5 metres, ensuring that it is sharp and not blurred.
7) It should show the full face, front view, from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, without any tilt.
8) No distracting shadows should appear on the face or background.
9) Glasses should be removed to avoid reflections.
10) Head coverings are permitted only for religious reasons, provided the facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face are clearly visible.
11) The expression should be natural and relaxed.