India Visa
Last updated: May 20, 2026 · Reviewed by Jack Woo, Senior Travel Documents Specialist
Perfect India Visa photo in 3 seconds
Free, fast, and compliant with official requirements
Table of contents
Other documents for India
Technical requirements for India Visa
| Size | 2 x 2 in |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Background color |
White background
|
| Official links | https://indianvisaonline.go... |
Sample photo for India Visa
Document Details
Intro
An India visa photo must meet technical standards set by the India Visa Online portal for digital submissions and by each embassy for paper applications. The photo must be a colour JPEG in square format, 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), with a plain white or light-coloured background and no shadows. Indian visa photo requirements cover format, file size, head positioning, expression, and background. These rules apply to India tourist visa, business, student, and medical visa applications alike. A non-compliant photo is returned without processing, delaying your India visa application.
Photo requirements at a glance
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Format | JPEG only |
| File size | 10 KB minimum – 300 KB maximum |
| Shape | Square (height must equal width) |
| Background | Plain white or light-coloured; no shadows, no patterns |
| Head / face height | 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25–35 mm) within the frame |
| Minimum resolution | 350 × 350 pixels |
| Borders | None |
| Expression | Full face, front view, eyes open |
Sources: India Visa Online instructions; VSS_IMAGE.pdf (minimum resolution); Embassy of India Vienna (recency requirement).
On the 6-month recency requirement: The Embassy of India Vienna explicitly requires a photo taken within the last 6 months. The national portal instructions page does not state a recency limit.
On maximum pixel dimensions: The VSS_IMAGE.pdf confirms the 350 × 350 pixel minimum. The 300 KB file size ceiling is a practical upper limit on image size.
Why these specs matter
The India Visa Online portal is the governing authority for photo specifications across online India visa applications, including the India e-Visa. The square format constraint is enforced at upload: height and width must be exactly equal, and a standard rectangular crop fails before any reviewer sees the file. Only JPEG format is accepted; other formats including PNG and HEIC are not.
The file size range of 10 KB to 300 KB sets a quality floor and an upload ceiling. A file below 10 KB is too compressed to be usable; one above 300 KB will not submit.
The minimum digital resolution of 350 × 350 pixels ensures the image is sharp enough for identity verification.
The face must be centred in the frame and the full head, from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, must be fully visible. The face height within the frame must fall between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inches (25–35 mm): a photo taken from too far away produces a face that is too small; too close and the face extends past the upper limit.
The plain white or light-coloured background with no shadows is standard across biometric documents. The national portal allows "plain light colored or white," while the Embassy of India Kathmandu requires white specifically. A white background satisfies both.
How to take the photo with iShotAPhoto
- Open iShotAPhoto and select "India Visa" as the document type.
- Upload an existing photo or take one directly using your device camera.
- An AI compliance check validates the image against India visa photo requirements: format, dimensions, background colour, and head position.
- Preview the result at no charge. If the compliance check passes, download the JPEG file for free.
- For embassy or consulate submissions requiring a printed copy, order optional print delivery from within the app.
How to take it yourself with a phone
1. Set up soft, even lighting
Face toward a window so that daylight falls on your face from the front. Avoid placing any light source behind you, which creates a silhouetted face against a bright background.
2. Set up a plain background
A white or off-white wall is the most reliable choice. A plain sheet hung flat behind you also works. Check that no objects, shadows, or colour variations appear within the frame behind you.
3. Position the camera at eye level
Ask someone else to hold the phone directly in front of your face at the same height as your eyes. A phone held higher or lower distorts facial proportions.
4. Face squarely forward
Look directly into the lens. Keep your head upright, facing straight ahead without turning to either side. Both eyes should be fully open and clearly visible.
5. Keep a neutral expression
Close your mouth and relax your face. Avoid smiling, frowning, or raising your eyebrows.
6. Review carefully before uploading
Confirm that the full head, from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, is centred and visible in the frame. Check for any shadow on the face or behind you. Save the final file as JPEG before uploading.
Common rejection reasons
Background colour does not meet the requirement
The national portal requires a plain white or light-coloured background. Coloured, patterned, or gradient backgrounds cause rejection. The Embassy of India Kathmandu requires white specifically, which is stricter.
Shadows on the face or background
No shadows are permitted on the face or the background. Overhead lights that throw shadow under the chin and side-lit setups near windows are common causes.
Photo is not square
The portal requires height and width to be exactly equal. A standard rectangular crop from most camera apps fails on upload.
File size outside the permitted range
The permitted digital file size is 10 KB to 300 KB. Files outside this range are rejected at the upload step.
Wrong file format
Only JPEG is accepted. PNG, HEIC, TIFF, and other formats are not.
Head not centred or not fully in frame
The full head, from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, must be centred and entirely within the frame. A cropped hairline or chin triggers rejection.
Face height outside the required range
The permitted face height is 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25–35 mm) within the 51 × 51 mm frame. A photo taken from too far back produces a face that is too small; too close and the face is too large.
Sunglasses or tinted spectacles
The Embassy of India Vienna prohibits sunglasses and tinted spectacles except when worn for medical reasons.
Expression not neutral (Vienna embassy)
The Embassy of India Vienna requires the mouth to be closed, with no grinning, frowning, or raised eyebrows, and the applicant must face forward and look straight ahead. A neutral expression is appropriate for any submission channel.
Photo has been retouched or digitally enhanced (BLS China)
The BLS International China specification states that photos must not be retouched, enhanced, or softened. Submit an unaltered photograph.
Photo not a recent likeness
The Embassy of India Vienna requires the photo to be taken within the last 6 months. An older photo that no longer resembles the applicant can cause rejection.
How iShotAPhoto compares to other options
Applicants have several ways to produce a compliant India visa photo.
| Option | Cost | Time | Approval likelihood | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShotAPhoto (online) | Low | Quick | High when AI check passes | Online, any time |
| Pharmacy / drugstore | Moderate | Moderate | Varies by technician | Requires travel |
| Photo studio | Moderate to premium | Moderate | High when studio knows Indian visa rules | Requires travel, may need appointment |
| Photo booth | Moderate | Quick | Varies by machine calibration | Requires travel |
Costs and times vary by region.
Country-specific notes
India's visa applications flow through the national online portal, individual embassies and consulates, and contracted service providers in certain markets. Most photo specifications are consistent across channels, but some details differ.
National online portal
The India Visa Online portal governs digital photo requirements for regular visa applications and the India e-Visa. The baseline spec is JPEG format, square image with height equalling width, 10–300 KB, minimum 350 × 350 pixels, plain white or light-coloured background, no shadows, and full head centred in the frame.
Embassy of India, Kathmandu
The Embassy of India Kathmandu lists the 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) size with a white background as a mandatory condition; photos not meeting this specification are not accepted. The embassy directs applicants to the India Visa Online portal for the complete digital photo requirements.
Embassy of India, Vienna
The Embassy of India Vienna requires photos to be in sharp focus, printed on normal photographic paper for physical submissions, and taken within the last 6 months. The embassy specifies that applicants must face forward, look straight ahead, and keep the mouth closed with no strong expression. From 1 September 2025, the Vienna embassy requires ICAO-compliant photographs for passport application submissions; this requirement is specific to passport applications at that embassy.
BLS International China (india.blscn.cn)
For applicants applying through BLS International in China, the BLS China photo specification sets the face size at 3.5 cm to 4.0 cm (35–40 mm), with the eye position at 2.5 cm to 3.5 cm from the bottom of the photo. The BLS China face-size range (35–40 mm) is larger than and does not overlap with the national portal's 25–35 mm range; this is a documented discrepancy between the national standard and this process channel. BLS China also lists photo dimensions as 50 mm × 50 mm rather than 51 × 51 mm, almost certainly a rounding difference (2 inches = 50.8 mm) but a literal textual discrepancy. Applicants using this channel should follow the BLS China specification.
File size variations across consulates
The national portal confirms 10–300 KB as the standard file size range.
Special cases
Religious head coverings
Head coverings worn for religious or medical reasons are permitted. The Embassy of India Vienna confirms this, requiring that all facial features remain clearly visible when a head covering is worn.
Glasses
The Embassy of India Vienna prohibits sunglasses and tinted spectacles except for medical reasons. The BLS China specification adds that eyes must not be covered by eyeglass frames.
Medical accommodations
The Embassy of India Vienna confirms that head coverings and spectacles worn for medical reasons are permitted. For any other medical accommodation, contact your specific mission directly.
Children
The standard requirements for head position, background, format, and expression apply to photographs of children. No child-specific exceptions are noted for India visa applications.
Frequently asked questions
What is the India visa photo size?
The required India visa photo size is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). The national portal requires the height and width to be exactly equal. Both the Embassy of India Kathmandu and the Embassy of India Vienna confirm the 51 × 51 mm dimension.
What are the India visa photo requirements for online upload?
For online upload through the India Visa Online portal, the photo must be JPEG format, square (height equals width), between 10 KB and 300 KB, with a minimum resolution of 350 × 350 pixels. The background must be plain white or light-coloured with no shadows, and the full head must be centred in the frame.
What background colour is required for an Indian visa photo?
The national portal requires a plain white or plain light-coloured background with no shadows. The Embassy of India Kathmandu requires white specifically. A white background satisfies both standards.
What are Indian e-Visa photo requirements?
Indian e-Visa photo requirements follow the national portal spec: JPEG format, square, 10–300 KB, minimum 350 × 350 pixels, plain white or light-coloured background, no shadows, full head centred, and face height between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inches (25–35 mm).
Are glasses allowed in an India visa photo?
The Embassy of India Vienna prohibits sunglasses and tinted spectacles except for medical reasons.
How recent does an India visa photo need to be?
The Embassy of India Vienna requires the photo to be taken within the last 6 months. This is consistent with standard practice across Indian missions, though the national portal instructions page does not state a recency requirement.
Can I wear a head covering in my India visa photo?
Head coverings are permitted for religious or medical reasons. The Embassy of India Vienna requires all facial features to be clearly visible when a head covering is worn.
Can I take my own India visa photo?
Yes. The India Visa Online portal accepts digital photo uploads, and self-taken photos are permitted provided they meet all specifications: JPEG format, square, 10–300 KB, plain background, no shadows, and full head centred in the frame.
What expression should I have in my India visa photo?
The national portal requires a full face, front view with eyes open. The Embassy of India Vienna adds that the mouth must be closed, with no grinning, frowning, or raised eyebrows, and the applicant must face forward and look straight ahead. A neutral, relaxed, closed-mouth expression is appropriate for any submission channel.
Where can I get an Indian visa photo size online free?
iShotAPhoto offers a free online tool that produces a compliant Indian visa photo. Upload a photo, run the AI compliance check against India visa photo requirements, and download the result at no cost. Optional printed copies are available for in-person embassy submissions.