When applying for an Indian visa, submitting photos that meet the official specifications is an indispensable part of the process. The Indian government enforces strict size and quality requirements for visa photos to ensure they accurately reflect the applicant’s appearance for border control and identity verification. Non-compliant photos may lead to delays or even application refusal. Drawing on official government guidelines and the standards of several professional ID-photo studios, this article explains in detail Indian visa photo dimensions, facial requirements, headwear rules, digital photo specifications and other important considerations to help applicants prepare acceptable visa photographs.

• Photo must be square: 50 mm × 50 mm (2 in × 2 in).
• The head should occupy 70–80% of the frame. Head height (chin to crown) should be about 25–35 mm.
• Resolution must be at least 300 dpi; image dimensions no less than 350 × 350 pixels and no more than 1000 × 1000 pixels.
• Photos must be in colour, with a pure white or light-coloured background, evenly lit with no shadows, and no borders.
• Photos must have been taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance.
• Use matte-finish photo paper to avoid glare.
• Submit two identical, unretouched original prints.

• Face the camera directly with head upright—no tilt or turn.
• Maintain a natural, neutral expression—no smiling, teeth showing or frowning; mouth closed.
• Eyes fully open and clearly visible; hair or eyeglass frames must not obscure the eyes.
• All facial features (eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, ears) must be clearly visible with no shadows or glare.
• Glasses generally not allowed; medical exemptions require non-reflective, clear lenses with no tint or glare.

• Hats or head coverings are generally not permitted.
• Exception only for daily religious or medical reasons, provided the entire face is fully visible and the head covering casts no shadows.
• Hair must not cover the eyes, eyebrows, or any other facial features.
• Coloured or decorative non-essential headwear (e.g. sun hats) is prohibited.

• E-visa applications permit digital photos sized the same as print (square, 350 × 350 to 1000 × 1000 pixels).
• JPEG format, 10 KB to 300 KB file size.
• Photos must be clear, high resolution, uncompressed, unedited and taken within the last 6 months.
• Background must be pure white or light-coloured, evenly lit with no shadows.
• Head must be centred and fully included (from crown to chin).
• No photo-editing or retouching of facial features or background.

• Photos must be original, unedited—no filters, enhancements or digital modifications.
• Submit two identical colour photos.
• On printed photos, write the applicant’s name and date of birth on the back in pencil or pen (requirements may vary).
• Infant and child photos follow the same rules, but no other person’s hands or body may appear. Infants may sit in a plain white safety seat.
• Wear dark or contrasting clothing to avoid blending into a white background.
• Avoid red-eye, shadows, glare or blurriness when taking the photo.
• We recommend using a professional ID-photo studio or professional equipment to ensure compliance.

By following these detailed specifications, applicants can greatly increase the likelihood that their Indian visa photos will be accepted, avoiding delays or rejections and ensuring a smooth visa-application process.

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References:

• Indian visa photo 2×2 inch (51×51 mm, 5.1×5.1 cm) size & requirements - idphotodiy
• Understand Indian visa photo requirements - indiasevisa
• Indian visa photo regulations: How to take the perfect photo to pass review? - india-visa
• Indian visa (2×2 inch) photo size requirements & online tool - 123passportphoto
• Indian visa photos a hassle? 3 ID-photo apps let you take them at home!- india-visa

Extended Readings:

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