India visa photo
India visa photo: 51 x 51 mm (2 x 2 in). The head must measure 25-35 mm from the chin to the top of the head. Source: Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, checked September 2, 2026.
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The requirements
| Print size | 51 x 51 mm (2 x 2 in) |
|---|---|
| File size | 1 MB |
| File formats | JPEG |
| Head height, chin to crown | 25-35 mm |
| Background | Plain light coloured or white background with no shadows on the face or the background |
| Glasses | Not allowed. Remove them for the photo. |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open. |
| Ears | No |
| Also required |
|
How to apply: India
An Indian visa photo is uploaded to Indian Visa Online as a square JPEG: the height and width must be equal. For an e-Visa the file must be between 10 KB and 1 MB. The regular online visa application on the same portal caps the file at 300 KB, so keep the file under 300 KB if you are not applying for an e-Visa. Neither portal publishes a pixel size.
The head, from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, must measure 25 to 35 mm on a 51 x 51 mm (2 x 2 inch) frame, centred, with a full face front view and the eyes open. The background must be plain light-coloured or white, with no shadows on the face or the background and no border around the image.
The e-Visa page says the photo must be taken without spectacles. An application may be rejected if the uploaded photo is not clear or does not follow the specification, which is the most common cause of delay.
Why photos get rejected here
Not square
The height and width of the photo must be equal. A portrait crop from a phone is refused.
File too large
Keep an e-Visa photo under 1 MB, and a regular online visa photo under 300 KB.
Glasses
The e-Visa instructions say no spectacles. Take them off.
A border or shadow
No border around the image and no shadows on the face or the background.
Head cut off
The photo must show the full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin.
What helps
Crop to a square
Crop the original photo to a square with the head centred, then export it as a JPEG.
Check which limit applies
e-Visa: 10 KB to 1 MB. Regular online visa: up to 300 KB. If unsure, stay under 300 KB.
Use a white or light wall
A plain white or light-coloured wall works, as long as there is no shadow on it.
Do not reuse the OCI photo
The OCI card has different rules, including a background that must not be white and a 200 KB limit.
Babies and young children
The visa instructions do not set out separate rules for babies. The child must be alone in the photo, with the full face visible from the front and the head centred.
How to take a baby's passport photo at home
Glasses
The e-Visa page says the photo must be taken without spectacles.
Passport photo glasses rules by country
Head covering
The Indian visa instructions do not set out a specific head covering rule. Keep the full face visible from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, with no shadow on it.
Applying online
Upload a square JPEG: 10 KB to 1 MB for an e-Visa, up to 300 KB for the regular online visa application. No pixel size is published.
Questions about India photos
What size is the Indian visa photo?
A square photo, 51 x 51 mm (2 x 2 inch) when printed, with the head 25 to 35 mm tall.
Can I wear glasses?
No. The e-Visa instructions say the photo must be taken without spectacles.
How large can the file be?
Up to 1 MB for an e-Visa and up to 300 KB for the regular online visa application, with a minimum of 10 KB.
Where these numbers come from
Official sourceEvery measurement on this page comes from the issuing authority's own published requirements.
- Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs: Indian Visa Online: instructions for regular visa (photo requirements)checked September 2, 2026
- Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs: e-Visa: documents to be uploaded and photograph requirementschecked September 2, 2026
- Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs: Requirement of photograph (Bureau of Immigration photo specification)checked September 2, 2026
Editor: Mehmet Apaydın (Xenit)How we check our numbers