🇮🇳 Country Guide · India · Last verified: February 2026
India Passport & Visa Photo Requirements 2026 — Complete Guide
Official photo specifications for Indian passport, visa, OCI Card, and e-Visa applications. Verified against passportindia.gov.in and indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Written by the pixid.studio compliance team · February 2026.
TL;DR: Indian consulate/paper applications = 51×51 mm (2×2 inches), white background, 2 prints. Passport Seva Portal digital upload = 35×45 mm, 20–100 KB. e-Visa = 35×45 mm JPEG, max 1 MB. No glasses for any. PixID supports all formats — select the right document type.
Quick Reference by Document
| Document | Size | Background | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport (printed/consulate) | 51×51 mm (2×2 in) | White | 2 prints |
| Passport Seva Portal (digital) | 35×45 mm | White | 1 upload (20–100 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: Indian consulate applications require 51×51 mm (2×2 in), not 35×45 mm. Do not use a Schengen-format photo for an Indian consulate. 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 — 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 | 20 KB to 100 KB |
| Dimensions | 350×350 to 1000×1000 pixels |
| 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 meeting all e-Visa technical requirements — select "India e-Visa" as the document type.
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
Photo Requirements for Children and Infants
- Same 51×51 mm size applies for all ages
- Infants under 4: eyes do not need to be fully open; mouth can be slightly open
- Children must be photographed alone — no hands, arms, or other people visible
- Plain white background required regardless of age
Where Indians Abroad Most Commonly Apply
United States
Consulates in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Houston, and Washington DC. Verify jurisdiction by state. Appointments book up weeks in advance during peak periods.
UAE & Gulf
Indian missions in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Doha, Muscat, and Bahrain. High-volume corridor — appointment availability varies seasonally.
United Kingdom
Indian High Commission in London; Consulate General in Birmingham and Edinburgh.
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.
Low resolution for Passport Seva
File must be 20–100 KB exactly. Over 100 KB rejected.
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Create India Passport PhotoFrequently Asked Questions
What size is an Indian passport photo?
What background colour is required for an Indian passport photo?
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
Ready to get your Indian passport photo?
Create India Passport Photo — $4.99 →All formats — consulate, e-Visa, Passport Seva · White background · 100% money-back