Indian Visa Photo Requirements — Complete Guide 2026

Country guide · 🇮🇳 India · Last verified: May 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

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

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

See also