Indian Visa Photo Requirements — Complete Guide 2026

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

India offers several types of visas depending on how you're applying — e-Visa online, visa on arrival, or in-person at a consulate. Each has different photo requirements. This guide covers all three, with the specific file sizes and pixel dimensions that trip people up most often.

Quick reference by visa type

Visa type	Photo size	Submission	Notes
e-Visa (indianvisaonline.gov.in)	200×200 pixels min, JPEG	Digital upload	Max 1 MB; same specs as Indian passport e-portal
Visa on arrival	51×51 mm	Printed	2×2 inch, same as US passport format
Consulate visa (paper)	51×51 mm	2 printed	Standard consulate application
Indian passport (Passport Seva)	350–1000 px, 20–100 KB	Digital	Much stricter file size limit

e-Visa photo requirements

The Indian e-Visa (indianvisaonline.gov.in) is available for tourists, business travelers, and medical visitors from 150+ countries. The digital photo upload is one of the most common points of failure.

Specifications

Format: JPEG only
File size: maximum 1 MB
Minimum dimensions: 200×200 pixels
Background: plain white
Face coverage: 70–80% of the frame
Expression: neutral, mouth closed
Eyes: both open, looking directly at camera
Glasses: not recommended; remove to avoid automated rejection
Recency: within 6 months

Common e-Visa upload errors

"Image size should be less than 1 MB" — your smartphone photo is likely 3–8 MB. Compress it before uploading. PixID outputs files within the 1 MB limit automatically.

"Invalid file format" — must be JPEG (.jpg). PNG, HEIC, and WebP are rejected.

"Photo does not meet requirements" — usually means the face is too small in the frame (less than 70% of the photo height) or the background is not white.

Consulate and paper visa photo requirements

For visa applications submitted in person at Indian consulates and embassies, or on paper forms:

Size: 51×51 mm (2×2 inches) — square format
Background: plain white or off-white, uniform, shadow-free
Head height: face occupies 70–80% of the frame (25–35 mm)
Expression: neutral, mouth closed
Eyes: both open, looking directly at camera
Glasses: not permitted
Photos required: 2 identical
Recency: within 6 months
Quality: sharp, professional photo paper

Since India uses the same 51×51 mm (2×2 inch) format as the US for consulate applications, any US pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart) can provide the right size. Specify "passport photo" or "2×2 inch photo."

Visa on arrival

India's visa on arrival is available for citizens of selected countries at 28 international airports. The same 51×51 mm format applies. Bring 1–2 photos.

Background and clothing

Background: plain white. No off-white, no light grey, no coloured backgrounds. Clean white is strictly enforced for all Indian visa types.

Clothing: avoid white clothing — it blends into the background. Dark solid colours work best. No uniforms.

Glasses — updated rules

Indian visa applications now generally follow the no-glasses rule. Prescription glasses may be allowed at some consulates with a doctor's statement, but the safest approach is to remove glasses entirely. Automated visa portals (including the e-Visa portal) frequently reject photos with glasses regardless of whether they meet other criteria.

Types of Indian visas and their photo requirements

All Indian visas — tourist (e-Tourist visa), business (e-Business visa), medical (e-Medical visa), conference, student, employment — use the same photo specifications. What differs is the application process and supporting documents, not the photo format.

e-Tourist Visa (most common)

Available for 60 days (double entry) or 1 year / 5 years (multiple entry) for citizens of 150+ countries. Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Digital photo upload required.

Business and employment visas

Applied for at Indian consulates. Paper application with 2 printed 51×51 mm photos.

Student visa

Applied for at Indian consulates. Same 51×51 mm, 2 photos.

Indian consulates in the US

Consulate	Jurisdiction
Embassy (Washington DC)	DC, MD, VA, WV, NC, SC
Consulate General New York	NY, NJ, CT, MA, RI, VT, NH, ME, PA, DE
Consulate General Chicago	IL, IN, OH, MI, WI, MN, IA, KS, MO, NE, ND, SD, KY, TN
Consulate General San Francisco	CA, OR, WA, AK, HI, ID, MT, WY, NV, UT, CO, AZ, NM
Consulate General Houston	TX, OK, AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, FL
Consulate General Atlanta	GA, FL, AL, MS, TN, NC, SC, KY

Child and baby visa photos

Same 51×51 mm size for paper applications, same 200 px minimum with max 1 MB for e-Visa.

Child must be alone in the photo — no parents' hands or faces visible
Infants: place lying on white surface, photograph from above
Eyes should be open if possible; young infants have more flexibility
Same white background required

Frequently asked questions

What size is an Indian visa photo?

For e-Visa digital upload: JPEG, minimum 200×200 pixels, maximum 1 MB. For consulate paper applications: 51×51 mm (2×2 inches), 2 prints.

What background for Indian visa photos?

Plain white only. No off-white, cream, or grey.

Can I use a US passport photo for an Indian visa application?

Yes, for consulate paper applications — both use 51×51 mm. For e-Visa, you need a digital file (JPEG, max 1 MB), not a printed photo.

Why does my e-Visa upload keep failing?

Most common reasons: file over 1 MB (compress it), file is not JPEG (convert it), or face is too small in frame. PixID generates a file that meets all three requirements.

Do I need a photo for an Indian visa on arrival?

Yes — bring 1–2 printed photos, 51×51 mm (2×2 inches), white background.

Can I wear glasses in an Indian visa photo?

Generally no. Remove glasses for all Indian visa applications to avoid rejection. Some consulates allow prescription glasses with a doctor's note, but the e-Visa portal does not.

How long does an Indian visa take?

e-Visa: typically 72–96 hours after submission. Consulate visa: 3–7 business days for standard processing, longer for some visa types.