Everything you need to know about India Visa photo requirements, including exact dimensions, background color, pose rules, and how to submit a compliant digital photo for your Indian e-Visa or regular visa application.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | India (Bharat) |
| Document Type | Visa (e-Visa / Regular Visa) |
| Photo Size | 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inch) — square format |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Head Size | 70–80% of the photo area |
| Head Height | 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to top of head |
| Eye Height | 1-1/8 to 1-3/8 inches (28–35 mm) from bottom of photo |
| Background Color | Plain white |
| Printable | Yes — for regular visa through VFS Global |
| Digital for e-Visa Upload | Yes — minimum 350×350 px, maximum 1000×1000 px |
| Digital Print Size (600 DPI) | 1200 × 1200 pixels |
| Color | Color only (correct skin tone, no red-eye) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
India visa photos must meet specific requirements set by the Indian government and its consular services. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted for both e-Visa and regular visa applications.
Glasses are NOT allowed in India visa photos. You must remove your glasses before taking the photo, even if you wear them daily. This ensures clear visibility of your eyes and facial features.
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant India visa photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.) is more than capable of taking a visa-quality photo. Make sure the lens is clean and the camera is set to the highest resolution.
Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo for you. Do not use selfies — they tend to have the wrong angle, distortion, and uneven lighting.
Stand facing a window with natural daylight for the best even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows. If using indoor lighting, use multiple light sources from different angles to eliminate shadows on both sides of your face.
Wear your normal everyday clothing. Avoid uniforms and white tops that blend with the white background. Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes or cast shadows on your face.
Stand about 1.5 meters in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level — not tilted. Ensure your entire face from chin to forehead is clearly visible on both sides.
Keep your face relaxed with a natural expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. The horizontal line between your eyes should be parallel to the top edge of the photo.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable visa photos
An India Visa photo must be exactly 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), which is a square format. The head height should be between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to the top of the head, and the eyes should be located between 1-1/8 and 1-3/8 inches from the bottom of the photo.
Yes, the photo requirements are the same: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) with a white background. For e-Visa, you upload a digital photo online through indianvisaonline.gov.in. For a regular visa, you may also need 2 printed copies when submitting through VFS Global.
No. Glasses are not permitted in India visa photos. You must remove your glasses before taking the photo to ensure your eyes are fully visible without reflections or glare.
The background must be plain white with no patterns, objects, shadows, or other people visible. If you don't have a white wall, our tool will automatically replace your background with the correct white color.
For the India e-Visa online application, the digital photo should be at least 350×350 pixels and at most 1000×1000 pixels, in JPEG format, with a file size between 10 KB and 1 MB. The photo must have a plain white background and show your full face clearly.
No. Selfies are not accepted for India visa applications due to incorrect angles, lens distortion, and typically poor or uneven lighting. Have someone else take the photo or use a tripod at a proper distance of about 1.5 meters.
Yes. When applying through VFS Global for a regular (sticker) visa, you typically need to submit 2 printed photos (2×2 inch, 51×51 mm) on quality photo paper along with your application documents. For e-Visa applications submitted entirely online, only a digital upload is needed.
Your visa photo must have been taken within the last 6 months. It should accurately reflect your current appearance. Using an older photo may result in your application being delayed or rejected.
