Default to no photo for online and ATS-driven applications, because an image can scramble parsing and adds nothing a recruiter searches for. Where a photo is customary, use a plain, professional headshot, never a casual or filtered one. Keep a photo and a no-photo version ready so you can match the employer. How photo norms fit the wider format: ATS-friendly CV guide.
Photo on a CV
Whether to put a photo on your CV in the Gulf depends on the audience. For applicant tracking systems and private-sector and multinational roles, omit it: photos can break parsing and invite bias. For some government-facing and traditional Arabic-CV applications, a formal headshot is still expected. When unsure, prepare both versions.
Related terms
Full guides
Adil Dahmani
Adil Dahmani is the founder of Yalliq, the AI career copilot for Arabic-speaking professionals across MENA.