What is the official OCI card photo size?
The official OCI card photo size is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) in a square format. The head must occupy between 50% and 70% of the frame, with a plain white background. This is different from the Indian passport photo, which is 35 × 45 mm rectangular.
What is the OCI photo size in pixels?
The OCI portal requires a minimum of 200 × 200 pixels. For best quality — suitable for both digital submission and printing — a resolution of 600 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI is recommended. The file must be a JPEG between 10 KB and 200 KB in size.
What is the OCI photo size in mm?
The OCI card photo size in mm is 51 × 51 mm — a perfect square. In centimetres, this is 5.1 × 5.1 cm. In inches, it is 2 × 2 inches.
What file size does the OCI portal require?
The OCI online portal accepts JPEG files between 10 KB and 200 KB. Files smaller than 10 KB or larger than 200 KB cannot be uploaded. Our tool automatically sizes the output to fit this range.
Can I reuse an Indian passport photo for OCI?
No. The Indian passport photo is 35 × 45 mm rectangular, while the OCI photo is 51 × 51 mm square. The two formats are not interchangeable. Submitting a passport photo for an OCI application will result in immediate rejection at the portal or at VFS Global.
Can I take an OCI photo with my phone?
Yes. Any modern smartphone produces images at resolutions far exceeding the OCI minimum. Use the rear camera, good natural lighting, and a plain white wall. Disable beauty mode and filters. Our
OCI photo tool will format the output to all official requirements automatically.
Are glasses allowed in OCI photos?
No. Glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses are not allowed in OCI photos under any circumstances. Remove all eyewear before taking the photo, even if you wear prescription glasses daily. This rule applies to all ages including children.
What background colour is required for an OCI photo?
A plain white background is the only accepted option. Light grey, off-white, beige, cream, blue, or any other colour is not accepted. The OCI portal's automatic system will reject any photo that does not have a sufficiently white background.
What are OCI photo requirements for children?
OCI photo requirements for children are the same as for adults regarding size (51 × 51 mm), background (plain white), format (JPEG, 10–200 KB), and face position. For infants who cannot sit upright, the photo may be taken with the baby lying on a plain white sheet. No adult hands or props should be visible in the frame.
What are OCI photo requirements for babies and newborns?
For newborns and young infants, the photo can be taken with the baby lying on a plain white sheet or blanket. The background must be entirely white. The baby's face must be clearly visible with eyes open if possible. The photo must still meet all other OCI requirements: 51 × 51 mm, JPEG, 10–200 KB, and no props or adult hands visible in the frame.
What is the OCI photo requirement for a minor?
Minors (children under 18) must have a photo that meets the same technical specifications as adults. For children aged 3 and above, this means a front-facing, plain white background, neutral expression photo taken in the same way as for an adult. OCI cards for minors must be re-issued each time a new passport is issued, or when the child turns 20.
Can I wear a beard in my OCI photo?
Yes, a beard is allowed in OCI photos as long as it reflects your current everyday appearance. The photo must show your natural appearance. You should not shave your beard specifically for the photo if you normally wear one, as the purpose is to reflect how you actually look for identification purposes.
Can I wear a hijab in my OCI photo?
Yes. Head coverings worn for religious reasons are permitted in OCI photos. However, the face must be fully visible from chin to forehead and from ear to ear. No part of the face should be covered or in shadow. The same rule applies to turbans and other religious head coverings.
Do I need a printed photo for OCI applications?
Most OCI applications submitted online through the OCI portal require only a digital JPEG upload. However, some VFS Global service centres also request two printed photos (2 × 2 inches) at the biometric appointment. Our tool provides both a digital file and a printable 4 × 6 inch sheet with multiple copies.
Can I create an OCI card photo online for free?
Yes. Our online OCI card photo maker creates a fully compliant 2 × 2 inch JPEG meeting all official OCI photo specification requirements, correctly sized for the OCI portal upload and ready to print.
How recent must my OCI photo be?
The photo must be taken within the last 6 months and must reflect your current appearance accurately. Old photos — even if technically compliant in terms of size and format — will be rejected if the person's appearance has changed significantly.
What happens if my OCI photo is rejected?
If your photo is rejected by the OCI portal, you will receive an error message explaining the reason. You will need to upload a corrected photo before you can proceed with the application. If the rejection happens after submission at VFS Global, the entire application is returned and you must resubmit from the beginning with a compliant photo.
Is the OCI photo the same size as a US passport photo?
Yes, both the OCI card photo and the US passport photo are 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) square. The dimensions are the same. However, the file size and resolution requirements for the OCI portal are different from the US State Department's photo tool, so always use the correct country-specific tool. See our
US passport photo page for those requirements.
Can I smile in my OCI photo?
No. OCI photos require a neutral expression with the mouth closed. A natural, relaxed expression is correct. Smiling, frowning, raising eyebrows, or showing teeth will cause the photo to be rejected by the portal's automatic face verification system.
What is OCI miscellaneous services photo requirement?
OCI miscellaneous services — such as name changes, address updates, or corrections — require the same photo as a first-time OCI application: 51 × 51 mm square, plain white background, JPEG between 10 KB and 200 KB. A photo taken within the last 6 months is required.
How many photos do I need for an OCI application?
For online OCI applications, you need to upload one digital JPEG photo to the OCI portal. If you attend a biometric appointment at VFS Global, most centres require two additional printed 2 × 2 inch photos. Our tool provides a printable sheet with multiple copies for this purpose.
Can I edit my OCI photo in Photoshop or Lightroom?
Basic adjustments like exposure correction, white balance, and cropping are generally acceptable. However, any editing that alters your facial features — such as skin retouching, blemish removal, face shaping, eye brightening, or beauty filters — is considered image manipulation and will result in rejection. Use our tool instead, which only corrects the background and dimensions without touching the face.
What is the OCI photo format required by VFS Global?
VFS Global requires OCI photos to be in JPEG format, 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inches), with a plain white background. For the digital upload, the file must be between 10 KB and 200 KB. For in-person biometric appointments, two printed copies of the same photo are typically required.
Why does the OCI portal say my photo is invalid even though it looks correct?
The OCI portal's validation system checks multiple criteria simultaneously: dimensions must be exactly square, file size must be 10–200 KB, the image must be in JPEG format, the face must be detected and correctly positioned, the background must be sufficiently white, and there must be no shadows on the face or background. A photo can appear correct on screen but still fail one of these technical checks. Using our
OCI photo tool ensures all parameters are met before you upload.
Can I use an OCI photo for Indian visa applications?
OCI card holders do not need an Indian visa, but if you are applying for an Indian visa separately, you would need an
India visa photo. The dimensions for India visa photos are also 51 × 51 mm square, but the submission portal and file size requirements may differ slightly. Use the tool designed for the specific document you are applying for.