Can I wear glasses in an Indian passport photo?

No. Glasses are not permitted — remove all eyewear including prescription glasses.

What background is required?

White or light grey, plain, no patterns or shadows — white is the safest default.

What is the Passport Seva file size?

Typically 20 KB to 100 KB for the digital upload — the portal rejects files outside that band.

What is OCI and which photo size?

OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) applications commonly use the same 51×51 mm printed format as many consulate passport applications — confirm your checklist.

Can I use the same photo for India and US passport?

For 51×51 mm consulate submissions, the US passport photo size matches — still confirm lighting and recency with both authorities.

India Passport & Visa Photo 2026 — Complete Guide

Q: What size is an Indian passport photo?

It depends on the channel: many consulates abroad require 51×51 mm (2×2 inch) printed photos. Passport Seva online upload uses a square JPEG between 20 KB and 100 KB with pixel dimensions in the portal-specified range.

Which format do you need?

Channel	Photo	Notes
Consulate (outside India)	51 × 51 mm prints	Two identical photos common
Passport Seva (digital)	Square JPEG 20–100 KB	350×350–1000×1000 px — follow portal
e-Visa	Per crop tool	JPEG, max ~1 MB — use portal
OCI	Often 51 × 51 mm	Match your application PDF
PAN card	25 × 35 mm	Different from passport — do not mix

Consulate requirements (51×51 mm)

Requirement	Specification
Size	51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 in)
Head height	25–35 mm chin to crown
Face in frame	~50–69% of height
Background	White or light grey, plain
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed
Glasses	Not permitted
Recency	Within 6 months
Quantity	2 identical prints (typical)

Passport Seva digital upload

JPEG only
20 KB – 100 KB (strict)
Square aspect; pixels typically 350–1000 per side
White background, neutral face

PixID can compress to the Seva band when you pick the India / Passport Seva preset.

Indian e-Visa

JPEG up to ~1 MB, light background — use the Indian Visa Online crop tool after uploading a compliant source image.

Glasses and background

No glasses for passport and most visa/OCI photos. Background: white or light grey — no patterns.

Head coverings

Religious headwear is allowed if your face is fully visible from chin to forehead, both side edges of the face show, and there are no shadows on the face.

PAN card

25 × 35 mm — do not submit a passport-sized photo for PAN. Use a separate PAN preset in PixID if available.

How to shoot at home

Plain white wall, even light, no glasses, neutral expression. Then select India and your channel (consulate 51×51 vs Passport Seva) in PixID.

Pre-submission passport photo checklist — 8 compliance checks before you submit

Frequently asked questions

What size is an Indian passport photo?

Consulate: often 51×51 mm. Passport Seva: square digital JPEG 20–100 KB.

Can I wear glasses?

No.

What background?

White or light grey, plain.

Same photo for Indian and US passport?

For 51×51 mm consulate submissions, sizes match the US — confirm recency and background with both.

Passport Seva file size?

20–100 KB — outside that range the portal rejects the upload.

What is OCI?

Long-term status for people of Indian origin who hold another nationality — photo format often matches consulate 51×51 mm requirements.

India Passport & Visa Photo Requirements 2026 — Complete Guide