🇮🇳 Country Guide · India · Last verified: May 2026
Indian Passport Photo Requirements 2026 — Consulate, Passport Seva & e-Visa
Official photo specifications for Indian passport, visa, OCI Card, and e-Visa applications. Passport Seva domestic upload now works as 35×45 mm / 630×810 px JPEG, while many Indian missions abroad still ask for 51×51 mm prints. Verified against passportindia.gov.in, indianvisaonline.gov.in, and ICAO Doc 9303 (biometric baseline).
Written by the pixid.studio compliance team · February 2026. For US-format comparison: U.S. Department of State — passport photos.
Quick answer: Indian passport photo requirements depend on where you apply: Passport Seva domestic upload = 35×45 mm / 630×810 px JPEG, usually under 250 KB. Consulate abroad = often 51×51 mm (2×2 in), white background, 2 prints, and 20–100 KB digital files. e-Visa = 35×45 mm, max 1 MB. Confirm your route before you pay for photos — then export with PixID ($4.99).
Indian passport photo — $4.99
Create at https://www.pixid.studio/idphoto?document=India%20Passport — consulate 2×2 or Passport Seva digital, no AI face alteration.
Get My India Passport Photo →Quick Reference by Document
| Document | Size | Background | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport (printed/consulate) | 51×51 mm (2×2 in) | White | 2 prints |
| Passport Seva Portal (domestic digital) | 35×45 mm / 630×810 px | White | 1 JPEG upload, under 250 KB |
| Visa (paper) | 51×51 mm (2×2 in) | White | 2 prints |
| e-Visa (online) | 35×45 mm | White | 1 JPEG upload (max 1 MB) |
| OCI Card | 51×51 mm (2×2 in) | White | 2 prints |
| PAN Card | 25×35 mm | White | 1 print |
Size confusion is the most common rejection reason: domestic Passport Seva and overseas consulate applications can ask for different outputs. Do not use a Schengen-format photo for an Indian consulate, and do not use a 2×2 print when the domestic portal asks for a 630×810 px upload. PixID outputs the correct size when you select the right document type.
Passport Photo Requirements
Printed Photos — Consulate and Paper Applications
| Photo size | 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inches) |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 70–80% of frame |
| Eye height from bottom | 28–35 mm |
| Background | Plain white or off-white — uniform, shadow-free |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, no smiling |
| Eyes | Both open, looking directly at camera |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Recency | Within 6 months |
| Paper | Professional glossy or matte photo paper |
| Colour | Full colour only |
| Retouching | Not permitted |
Passport Seva Portal — Digital Upload
| Format | JPEG |
| File size | Under 250 KB for the current domestic upload |
| Dimensions | 630×810 px working export |
| Resolution | 200–300 DPI |
| Background | Plain white |
| Face | Same requirements as printed photos |
India has transitioned to e-passports with biometric chips. Photos must meet ICAO biometric standards — head centred, face forward, no head tilt.
e-Visa Photo Requirements
India's e-Visa is available for citizens of 160+ countries for tourism, business, and medical visits via indianvisaonline.gov.in.
| Format | JPEG only |
| File size | Maximum 1 MB |
| Background | Plain white |
| Face coverage | 70–80% of frame |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
The e-Visa portal's automated system rejects photos with shadows, coloured backgrounds, or incorrect head size. PixID generates a JPEG for the e-Visa route — select the correct India document type before export.
OCI Card & PAN Card Photos
OCI Card (Overseas Citizen of India)
- Size: 51×51 mm (2×2 inches)
- Background: plain white
- 2 identical prints required
- Face: 70–80% of frame
- Same expression and quality rules
PAN Card
- Size: 25×35 mm — smaller than passport
- Background: plain white
- 1 print required
- Same expression rules
- Do not use passport size (51×51) for PAN
Glasses — official position
Rules are sometimes stated inconsistently. The safe approach: remove glasses unless you have a documented medical exception with a doctor’s statement. Tinted or coloured lenses are never allowed.
Photo Requirements for Children and Infants
- Same 51×51 mm size applies for all ages (consulate/paper path)
- Children under about 1 year: eyes do not need to be fully open (official guidance allows more flexibility for infants)
- Children must be photographed alone — no hands, arms, toys, or other people visible
- Plain white or off-white background; a white sheet works well for infants lying down
Where Indians Abroad Most Commonly Apply
Jurisdiction examples (confirm on the mission website before booking): San Francisco — CA (Northern), OR, WA, AK, ID, MT; New York — NY, NJ, CT, PA, DE, MD; Chicago — IL, IN, OH, MI, WI, MN, IA, MO, KS, NE, ND, SD; Houston — TX, LA, MS, AR, OK, NM; Washington DC — DC, VA, WV; Atlanta — GA, FL, AL, TN, NC, SC, KY.
United States
Busy posts (e.g. San Francisco, New York, Chicago) often book 4–8 weeks ahead in peak season. Always check the consulate’s site for your state.
United Kingdom
Indian High Commission London; Consulates in Birmingham and Edinburgh. Consulate photos are 2×2 in — not the UK 35×45 mm passport format.
UAE & Gulf
Indian missions in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Doha, Muscat, and Bahrain. High-volume corridor — appointment availability varies seasonally.
Australia & Canada
Consulates in Sydney, Melbourne, Toronto, and Vancouver. Same 51×51 mm consulate standard as the US — not local 35×45 mm booth defaults.
Applying from abroad? PixID exports consulate 2×2, Passport Seva, and e-Visa sizes — it checks crop and file limits without altering your face. Similar diaspora guide: Nigeria passport (35×45 mm).
Common Rejection Reasons
Wrong size
Using 35×45 mm for a consulate application that requires 51×51 mm (2×2 inch).
Background not white
Off-white, grey, or coloured backgrounds — rejected at all stages.
Glasses
Not permitted in any Indian passport or visa photo.
Head too small or large
Face must fill 70–80% of frame.
Shadows on face or background
From side or overhead lighting.
Non-neutral expression
Smiling, raised eyebrows, open mouth.
File too large for e-Visa
Maximum 1 MB — photos over this limit fail at upload.
Wrong Passport Seva upload size
Domestic Passport Seva expects a 630×810 px JPEG under 250 KB; consulate and BLS PDFs may still require 20–100 KB.
Get Your Indian Passport or Visa Photo — $4.99
630×810 px for Passport Seva · 51×51 mm for many consulates · 35×45 mm for e-Visa · White background
Create India Passport PhotoFrequently Asked Questions
What are Indian passport photo requirements for consulates abroad?
What size is an Indian passport photo?
What background colour is required for an Indian passport photo?
Is an Indian passport photo the same size as a U.S. passport photo?
What is the file size limit for Passport Seva Portal?
Can I wear glasses in an Indian passport photo?
What is the difference between Indian passport and e-Visa photos?
Can I use my passport photo for my Indian visa application?
How many photos do I need for an Indian passport?
How recent must an Indian passport photo be?
See also
- India passport & visa photo — country hub
- DS-160 photo — for Indians applying for U.S. visas
- Schengen visa photo requirements — for Indians travelling to Europe
- UAE visa photo requirements — largest Indian diaspora destination
- UK passport photo requirements
- How to print passport photos at a retail store
Ready to get your Indian passport photo?
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