Size, Pixels & File Limits
What is the official india visa photo size?
The official India visa photo size is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), in a square format with a plain white background. The face must fill 70 to 80 percent of the frame height, which works out to roughly 36 to 41 mm from chin to crown on a 51 mm frame.
What are the india e visa photo requirements?
For the India e-Visa, the photo must be a square JPEG, in colour, with a plain white background. The minimum resolution is 350 x 350 pixels (600 x 600 recommended) and the file size must be between 10 KB and 1 MB. PNG, GIF, BMP and HEIC files are rejected. Our
India visa photo tool produces files that meet all these limits automatically.
What is the india visa photo size in pixels?
The recommended size is 600 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI. The minimum accepted is 350 × 350 pixels. Higher resolutions like 1200 × 1200 pixels are also fine as long as the final file stays under 1 MB.
What is the India visa photo file size limit?
Between 10 KB and 1 MB, in JPEG format. This window is far wider than most visa portals, so heavy compression is unnecessary. A 600 × 600 JPEG at quality 85 typically lands between 60 KB and 150 KB. If your file is too large, see the
reduce file size guide.
What is the india visa photo size in mm and cm?
The India visa photo size is 51 × 51 mm or 5.1 × 5.1 cm. This is equivalent to 2 × 2 inches. All three measurements refer to exactly the same photo dimensions.
How much of the frame should my face fill?
The published rule is 70 to 80 percent of the frame height. On a 51 mm frame that is roughly 36 to 41 mm from chin to crown, with the eye line in the upper 55 to 65 percent of the photo. Do not use the US 25–35 mm figure — it is a different standard. See the
head size rules.
Is PNG or HEIC format accepted for India e-Visa upload?
No. Only JPEG format is accepted. PNG, GIF, BMP, and HEIC files will be rejected by the e-Visa portal. iPhones save HEIC by default — see the
HEIC to JPEG guide. Our tool always outputs in JPEG format.
Appearance & Compliance
What background colour is required?
A plain white background is required for both e-Visa uploads and paper visa applications. Coloured walls, patterns, shadows, or visible objects behind you will result in rejection. See the
background colour rules.
Can I wear glasses in an India visa photo?
No. Glasses are not allowed in India visa photos. Remove all eyewear before taking the picture, including prescription glasses and tinted lenses, even if you wear them every day.
Can I wear a hijab or religious head covering?
Yes. Religious head coverings such as a hijab, turban, or skullcap are permitted, provided the full face is clearly visible from chin to forehead and the covering casts no shadow across the features. See the
head covering rules.
Can I smile in an India visa photo?
No. A neutral expression with your mouth closed is required. Smiling, frowning, or showing teeth will cause rejection. Both eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera.
Is a beard allowed in an India visa photo?
Yes. A beard is allowed as long as it reflects your everyday appearance and does not obscure your facial features. The face must be clearly recognisable from chin to forehead.
Are earrings and jewellery allowed?
Small, subtle earrings and jewellery are acceptable as long as they do not cover or distract from the face. Large, reflective, or face-covering jewellery should be removed before the photo.
Can I wear a white shirt in an India visa photo?
It is best to avoid white or very light clothing because it blends into the white background and reduces contrast at the shoulder line. Wear a darker colour like navy, grey, or black for the clearest result.
How recent must my India visa photo be?
The photo must be taken within the last 6 months and clearly reflect your current appearance. Significant changes in hair, weight, or facial features mean you should take a new photo even if the old one is technically compliant.
Can I use an old India visa photo?
Only if it was taken within the last 6 months and still reflects your current appearance. The Indian Bureau of Immigration requires recent photos to verify identity against your in-person look at immigration counters.
Related Documents & Children
Is the india visa photo the same as the Indian passport photo?
No. The dimensions are different. The Indian passport photo is 35x45 mm rectangular, while the India visa photo is 2x2 inches (51x51 mm) square. You cannot reuse an Indian passport photo for an India visa application. Use our
India passport photo tool for passport applications and this page for visas.
Can I crop a passport photo into an India visa photo?
Indian passport photos are 35x45 mm rectangular, while India visa photos are 51x51 mm square. Cropping a passport photo will not give you the correct face proportions for the visa. Take a fresh photo and process it through our India visa photo tool instead.
Can I use the same photo for an India visa and an OCI card?
Both use the same 2x2 inch square format with a plain white background, so a single compliant photo often satisfies each. The
OCI card application has its own signature and file requirements, so check those separately before submitting.
Can babies and infants use the same India visa photo size?
Yes. The 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) size and the 70–80% face coverage rule apply to all applicants including infants and children. For babies, lay them on a plain white sheet with no supporting hands, toy or dummy visible, keeping eyes open and mouth closed where achievable. See the
child and infant section and our
baby passport photo guide.
How many photos do I need for an India visa?
An e-Visa application requires one digital upload. A paper visa application at an Indian embassy or consulate generally requires two identical recent colour photos. Confirm the exact number with the mission handling your application.
Taking & Printing
Can I take an India visa photo with my phone?
Yes. Any modern smartphone produces images at resolutions far higher than the e-Visa portal requires. Use the rear camera, good lighting, and a plain wall, then let our tool crop and format the result correctly. Switch off portrait mode and beauty filters first.
Can I use a selfie as an India visa photo?
A selfie taken at arm's length is not recommended because the close distance causes face distortion. Use the rear camera with a helper standing one metre away, or use a tripod, for natural facial proportions.
How do I print my India visa photo?
Print at 300 DPI on professional glossy or matte photo paper, never plain copier paper. A 4x6 inch sheet holds six 2x2 inch copies with cutting margins. Our tool produces the 4x6 layout automatically. See the
print at home guide.
Can I create an India visa photo online for free?
Yes. Our online india visa photo maker creates a fully compliant 2x2 inch JPEG with the correct background and head positioning. The output meets every requirement of the India e-Visa portal and embassy paper applications.