Indian Passport, OCI and Visa Photo Size: Requirements for Applicants in the US
Passport Photo Guide · India
Indian passport applications from the US need a 35 by 45 mm printed photo and a digital photo of exactly 630 by 810 pixels, under 250 KB. OCI and e-Visa photos use different, square sizes. Here is each one.
Last checked against the Consulate General of India in New York and VFS Global guidance on October 14, 2026.
Passport, OCI and e-Visa photos are different
The most common mix-up is using the same photo for every Indian application. The passport photo is rectangular; OCI and e-Visa photos are square.
| Passport | OCI | e-Visa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 × 45 mm | One 2 × 2 in photo, affixed to the signed form | None | |
| Digital file | Exactly 630 × 810 px, JPEG, under 250 KB | Square, JPEG, up to 500 KB | Square, JPEG, 10 KB to 1 MB |
| Background | White | Plain white or light | Plain light or white |
| Glasses | Take them off | Not specified; we recommend removing them | Not allowed |
| Signature | Under 100 KB | 1:3 ratio, up to 500 KB | None |
Indian passport photo requirements
Since December 1, 2025, Indian passport applications must include a photo that meets ICAO, the international standard for passport photos.
| Requirement | What the guidelines ask for |
|---|---|
| Print size | 35 by 45 mm |
| Digital size | Exactly 630 by 810 pixels, color, JPEG, under 250 KB |
| Framing | A close-up of the head and top of the shoulders, with the face filling about 80 to 85 percent of the photo, centred and not tilted |
| Full head | From the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, with the forehead and both ears visible |
| Background | White, with no shadows |
| Expression | Natural and neutral: eyes open, mouth closed, no smiling or frowning |
| Glasses | Take them off to avoid reflections |
| Head coverings | Only for religious reasons, with the face from chin to forehead and both edges of the face visible. A turban should be light in color, such as white or light blue |
| Clothing | Dark clothes, which stand out against the white background |
| Lighting | Even, with no shadows, flash reflections or red eye |
| Editing | Unaltered by computer software or filters |
ThisPix · Midtown Manhattan
Get your Indian passport photo in NYCWalk in Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. We print your 35 × 45 mm photos and can email the digital file for the online form, taken with even studio lighting on a white background.
Book your passport photo212-753-4671How to apply for an Indian passport from the US
Applicants in the United States apply through VFS Global's Indian Consular Application Centres, by mail or by appointment.
- Fill in the government form onlineComplete the passport application on the Passport Seva portal. Uploading your photo and signature is mandatory; applications sent without them are returned unprocessed.
- Upload carefullyYou can upload your photo and signature up to 12 times. After that, the system blocks further uploads, so start with a file that already meets the rules.
- Prepare your documentsFollow the VFS checklist for your application type, including your printed photos.
- Pay and sendPay the fees on the VFS website, then courier your application or attend your appointment. In New York, the centre is at 128 East 32nd Street, 4th Floor.
OCI photos and signature
- Digital photo. Square (2 by 2 inch ratio), JPEG, up to 500 KB, on a plain white or light background.
- Printed photo. One 2 by 2 inch photo, identical to the uploaded one, affixed to the signed Part A and Part B printout.
- Signature. JPEG up to 500 KB in a 1:3 ratio. Children who cannot write use a left thumb impression; parents must not sign in this box.
- Former Indian citizens. You first need a surrender or renunciation certificate for your Indian passport before applying for OCI.
Indian e-Visa photos
The e-Visa needs only a digital photo: a square JPEG between 10 KB and 1 MB, showing the full face from the front with eyes open and no glasses, on a plain light or white background, with no shadows or borders.
Babies and children
The ICAO guidelines used for Indian passports show children on their own, facing the camera, against a plain background. Photos are refused when a toy is in the frame, a supporting person or their hands are visible, or the background is not neutral.
Common reasons photos are refused
- A US 2 by 2 inch print used for a passport
- A digital file that is not exactly 630 × 810 px
- Smiling, even with the mouth closed
- Glasses, or reflections on the lenses
- Hair, a cap or a scarf covering the forehead or ears
- Light clothing that blends into the white background
- Shadows from side, top or bottom lighting
- Over- or underexposed photos, or unnatural colors
- Shoulders turned or head tilted
- Scanned prints or edited photos
Since 1986
Indian passport, OCI and visa photosFor 40 years ThisPix has photographed New Yorkers to the size and rules of consulates around the world. Tell us which application you are making and we will size it correctly.
Get your photo at ThisPix212-753-4671Questions, answered
What size is an Indian passport photo?
The printed photo is 35 by 45 mm. The digital photo uploaded to the Passport Seva form must be exactly 630 by 810 pixels, in JPEG format and under 250 KB.
Can I use a 2 by 2 inch photo for an Indian passport?
No. A 2 by 2 inch photo is for OCI applications. Indian passport photos are 35 by 45 mm.
What size is an OCI photo?
A square photo: one 2 by 2 inch print affixed to the form, and a square JPEG of up to 500 KB uploaded online, on a plain white or light background.
Can I smile in an Indian passport photo?
No. The expression must be natural and neutral, without smiling or frowning. The official examples mark even a closed-mouth smile as non-compliant.
Can I wear glasses?
No. The guidelines ask you to take glasses off to avoid reflections, and the e-Visa rules do not allow spectacles.
Can I wear a turban or head covering?
Only for religious reasons, and your face from chin to forehead and both edges of the face must be visible. A turban should be a light color, such as white or light blue.
What should I wear for an Indian passport photo?
Dark clothes. They contrast with the required white background, and keep your hair off your forehead and ears.
Where can I get an Indian passport or OCI photo in New York?
At ThisPix, 805 3rd Avenue, 2nd Floor, at East 50th Street in Midtown Manhattan. Walk in Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
Sources. Requirements change, so always confirm with the Consulate General of India and VFS Global before you apply. Last checked October 14, 2026.