Indian Passport Photo Requirements — Complete Guide 2026

Country guide · 🇮🇳 India · Last verified: February 2026

Indian passport photo requirements vary depending on where you're applying. Consulate applications use a 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square format. The Passport Seva Portal uses a different digital spec. The e-Visa portal has its own file size limit. This guide covers all three — and why getting the size wrong is the most common reason Indian passport applications get rejected abroad.

Quick facts by document type

Document	Size	Submission
Passport (consulate abroad)	51×51 mm (2×2 in)	2 printed photos
Passport Seva Portal	35×45 mm digital	1 upload, 20–100 KB
Visa (consulate abroad)	51×51 mm (2×2 in)	2 printed photos
e-Visa (indianvisaonline.gov.in)	35×45 mm digital	1 upload, max 1 MB
OCI Card	51×51 mm (2×2 in)	2 printed photos
PAN Card	25×35 mm	1 printed photo

For Indians applying abroad (consulate format)

If you're applying for an Indian passport or visa at an Indian consulate or embassy outside India, you need the 51×51 mm (2×2 inch) square format — the same size as a US passport photo.

Specifications

Size: 51×51 mm (2×2 inches) — square
Background: plain white or off-white, uniform, shadow-free
Head height: face must occupy 70–80% of the frame (25–35 mm chin to crown)
Eye height: 28–35 mm from bottom of photo
Expression: neutral, mouth closed
Eyes: both open, looking directly at camera
Glasses: not permitted
Recency: within 6 months
Photos required: 2 identical
Quality: sharp, no blur; professional photo paper

Where to get photos in the US

Since Indian consulate photos use the same 2×2 inch format as US passport photos, any US pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart) can provide the right size. Cost: $7–$17 in-store. Or use PixID ($4.99) and print at any store for $0.35.

Passport Seva Portal (for applications in India)

The Passport Seva Portal (passportindia.gov.in) has specific digital upload requirements:

Format: JPEG
File size: 20 KB to 100 KB — this range is strict. Files outside it are rejected
Dimensions: 350×350 to 1000×1000 pixels
Background: plain white
Same face and expression requirements apply

The 20–100 KB file size limit is unusually tight. Smartphone photos are typically several MB and need to be compressed before upload. PixID outputs files within this range automatically for the Passport Seva Portal.

e-Visa digital photo requirements

For the Indian e-Visa (indianvisaonline.gov.in):

Format: JPEG
File size: maximum 1 MB
Background: plain white
Face: 70–80% of frame, neutral expression
Same face and quality requirements

The e-Visa file size limit (1 MB) is more generous than the Passport Seva Portal (100 KB).

OCI Card (Overseas Citizen of India)

Size: 51×51 mm (2×2 inches)
Background: plain white
Photos: 2 identical prints
Same face requirements as passport

OCI Card applications at Indian missions abroad use the same 2×2 inch format.

PAN Card

Size: 25×35 mm — smaller than passport size
Background: plain white
Photos: 1 print

Do not use passport photos for PAN Card — the dimensions are different.

Glasses — clarification

Indian passport and visa rules regarding glasses are sometimes inconsistently stated. The current official position: glasses are not permitted unless medically required with a doctor's statement. Remove glasses for the photo to avoid any risk of rejection.

Applying from abroad — consulate list

In the US (jurisdiction by state):

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

Appointments book 4–8 weeks in advance at busy locations (San Francisco, New York, Chicago). Apply well ahead of travel.

In the UAE: Indian missions in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and several other Gulf cities — highest volume Indian passport corridor globally.

Child and baby passport photos

Same 51×51 mm size for consulate applications.

Child must be alone in the photo — no hands, toys, or other people visible
Infants: eyes do not need to be open for children under 1 year
Same white background and quality requirements apply
Plain white sheet works well for photographing infants lying down

Common rejection reasons

Wrong size — using 35×45 mm (European standard) instead of 51×51 mm for consulate applications
Passport Seva Portal file outside 20–100 KB range
Glasses — not permitted
Background not plain white — shadows or off-white tint
Head size outside 70–80% of frame
Non-neutral expression
Photo older than 6 months
Digital retouching or filters

Frequently asked questions

What size is an Indian passport photo?

For consulate and paper applications: 51×51 mm (2×2 inches) — square format, same as US passport. For Passport Seva Portal digital upload: 350×350 to 1000×1000 pixels, JPEG, 20–100 KB. For e-Visa: JPEG, max 1 MB.

Is Indian passport photo the same size as US passport photo?

Yes — for consulate applications, both use 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). This makes getting photos in the US straightforward — any pharmacy can provide the right size.

Can I wear glasses in an Indian passport photo?

No. Glasses are not permitted. Remove all glasses for the photo.

What is the file size limit for Passport Seva Portal?

20 KB to 100 KB. This is a strict range — files over 100 KB or under 20 KB are rejected. Smartphone photos need to be compressed before upload.

How many photos do I need for an Indian passport application?

Two identical printed photos for consulate applications. One digital upload for Passport Seva Portal. Two for OCI Card.

What background colour for Indian passport photos?

Plain white or off-white. Uniform, no shadows, no patterns.