How should a India visa photo look?
India uses three different identity photo formats; mixing them up means the application is rejected. Indian citizen passport (Passport Seva): from the September 2025 ICAO update onwards, 35×45 mm; digitally 630×810 px JPEG, ≤250 KB; pure white background. Foreign citizens applying for an Indian visa, an OCI card or an EPIC voter ID: 51×51 mm (2×2 inches) square. White/light tone for the visa, light tone for the OCI (pure white is not strictly required per ociservices.gov.in). PAN card (Income Tax Department): 25×35 mm. Head height is 25-35 mm in all three formats. The Aadhaar photo is taken on the spot at the UIDAI enrolment centre.
Regulatory authorities and the recency rule
For passports, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) are competent and the spec is published on passportindia.gov.in. The OCI card is issued through ociservices.gov.in. Visas run through VFS Global and indianvisaonline.gov.in. The Income Tax Department handles PAN, UIDAI handles Aadhaar and the Election Commission handles EPIC. For all applications the colour photo must be submitted within six months of the capture date.
Workflow after the shoot
When the customer enters the studio, the first question is which application is being filed. The captured frame is sent to PhotoID Studio. For a passport, the 35×45 mm preset is selected; from the same file a 630×810 px ≤250 KB JPEG digital variant is produced automatically. For visa/OCI, the 51×51 mm square preset is used; OCI does not force the background to pure white. For PAN, 25×35 mm. The multi-print layout fits onto 10×15 cm paper and a digital file suitable for VFS Global upload comes from the same frame.
Capture setup and customer direction
Seat the customer 1.5-2 m in front of a white or very slightly off-white backdrop with the shoulders parallel to the camera. The camera is on a tripod with the lens at eye level. Standard setup: a 50-85 mm portrait lens, f/8, a softbox at 45°, a reflector on the opposite side. For a customer wearing a sari, dupatta or headscarf, check that the fabric does not cover the ears or forehead. Sindoor and small jewellery are fine; large reflective earrings can be repositioned. Give the cue "mouth completely closed, neutral expression, no teeth, look at the centre of the lens"; even a natural smile is rejected. Glasses: after the September 2025 ICAO update, Passport Seva and OCI strictly reject them; a medical exception with a doctor's note is possible only in a very narrow range.
Rejection reasons at Passport Seva, VFS Global and OCI
• Wrong format: handing in a 51×51 mm print for a passport or a 35×45 mm print for visa/OCI is the most common mistake abroad after September 2025. • Background not pure white for the passport. • A passport file exceeding the 630×810 px or ≤250 KB JPEG limit. • Visible teeth or a smile. • Ears covered by hair, sari pallu, dupatta or headscarf. • A dupatta or shoulder cloth coming up under the chin. • Glasses glare or a frame cutting through the eye: strictly enforced for Passport Seva and OCI applications after the September 2025 ICAO update. • A low-resolution file taken from a phone with visible compression. • A frame older than six months from the capture date.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Indian passport and visa photos the same size?
No. The Indian citizen passport has been 35×45 mm (630×810 px JPEG, ≤250 KB) since the September 2025 ICAO update. Foreign applicants for an Indian visa and the OCI card use 51×51 mm square. PAN is a separate 25×35 mm.
Does the OCI background have to be pure white?
No. ociservices.gov.in asks for a light-toned background; pure white is not strictly required. For a visa, white or a light tone is valid; the passport requires pure white.
What is the digital file requirement for the passport?
630×810 px JPEG, file size ≤250 KB. The automated test on passportindia.gov.in rejects files that exceed the thresholds. From the same studio shoot a 35×45 mm print and a digital JPEG are produced together.
Can the photo be taken with a sari or dupatta?
Yes, religious and cultural attire is accepted. However the dupatta or sari pallu must not cover the ears, forehead or chin line. Adjust the fabric politely before the shoot.
Can I wear glasses for the passport photo?
No. Since the September 2025 ICAO compliance update, Passport Seva and OCI strictly reject glasses. A medical exception with a doctor's note and clear non-reflective lenses is possible only in a very narrow range.
Similar Sizes
Related guides
Passport Photo
ICAO 9303 standard, country sizes and the mistakes that get photos rejected
Passport Photo Software
AI-powered passport, visa and ID photos in seconds: Mac and Windows
Passport Photo Requirements
Size, background, head height, glasses and expression: what every authority checks
Passport Photo Size
US 2×2 in, Europe 35×45 mm: every dimension in one chart