OCI Photo (An Overseas Citizen of India) - Requirements

An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card is an identity document (available since 2005) for Indian citizens living overseas. If you qualify for an OCI card, you then need to apply to get one. You can apply either online via the website, or you can apply the old-fashioned way via a paper application. Either way, you need to submit a biometric photograph with your application. 

The requirements regarding the photographs needed for your OCI card are based upon the specifications of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Standards Organization. Please keep reading this article to learn more about the requirements for your OCI card photograph.

OCI photos: how many are needed?

In order to apply for an OCI card, you need to attach two (2) printed photos to the paper application, or simply upload a digital photo if applying online. 

Picture for OCI: size

The required size of the printed photos for your OCI card is 2 inches x 2 inches, or 5.1 cm x 5.1 cm. Or you can provide a digital picture, with a maximum size of 200KB.

Either way, your head should take up about 80% of the surface of the photo, which is approximately 1 inch to 1-/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm).

Photo for OCI: format

Your digital photo should be in JPEG/JPG format, with a minimal dimension of 200 pixels x 200 pixels and a maximum dimension of 900 pixels x 900 pixels.

OCI picture: validity

The picture for your OCI should be recent, taken within the past 6 months. It should also be different from the one taken when applying for your passport. The picture must reflect your appearance, so if you underwent major plastic surgery or a sex change, had an accident, or lost/gained a significant amount of weight, it would be best to take a new photo. Please read on to find out about more all-important do’s and don’ts when having a picture taken for your OCI application.

OCI photo: quality

The picture for your OCI needs to be:

• in high resolution and of good quality,
• in full color, against a plain, light-colored background,
• a photo taken for this purpose, not a scan or a cutout of another picture,
• printed on glossy photographic paper (unless digital).

The OCI photo cannot be:

• damaged (torn, creased or stained),
• digitally altered (through the use of Photoshop or filters),
• blurred, pixelated, or with any pattern,
• either underexposed or overexposed.

Your OCI picture: lighting and shadows

The light has to be balanced, and both sides of the face must be evenly lighted to avoid shadows. Natural light is best when having photos taken, so do it in the daytime. Check the brightness and contrast. Make sure there are no shadows or reflections on your face.

OCI photo: background

The background for an OCI picture should be plain and in light colors, with no other people or objects visible.

Head and facial expression in an OCI photo

The most important requirement is that the photo for your OCI card has to be taken en face with the applicant looking directly at the camera. Your head should be in the center of the photo and has to be shown in full, from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin and both ears. Make sure your hair doesn't cover any part of your eyes, that your eyes are open, your mouth is closed (not showing teeth) and that you are maintaining a neutral facial expression (no smiling or frowning). 

Glasses and head coverings

You can wear your glasses in the OCI card picture, provided they are not sunglasses or tinted glasses. Make sure the frame does not cover any part of your eye. Be careful to also avoid flash reflection in the lenses, which can be avoided by a slight tilt of the head. 

Head coverings are allowed for religious reasons only, and cannot cover any part of your face. 

OCI card picture: most common mistakes

Your OCI card photo cannot be a selfie, please, get someone to help you by taking the photo for you. Other common mistakes include:

• not taking a color photo against a plain background in light colors,
• shadows or stains on the picture,
•  the picture being damaged or over-or underexposed.

Remember not to submit a photo older than 6 (six) months, and keep in mind the proper size, which is 2 inches x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). Do not cover your face. Please close your mouth, open your eyes, and maintain a neutral facial expression.

If you fulfill those simple requirements you can make sure your application gets accepted on the first try.

OCI card photo: how to take it at home?

Try doing it at home and get your OCI card photo in the span of a few minutes with PhotoAiD. Remember to:

• Stick to the guidelines described above.
• Ask someone to take your picture or place the camera on a tripod and use a timer.
• You can use a smartphone or a digital camera.
• Stand a step away from the background and 1.5 away from the camera (which should be at eye level).

If you don't get the perfect picture on the first try- no worries, as you can take as many snaps as needed. All you have to do then is upload your photo to the PhotoAiD website and let us take care of the rest.

PhotoAiD app: advantages

Once you upload your picture, our powerful AI tool will take 3 seconds to delete the original background and replace it with the correct one, trim your photo to the required size and shape, and make sure all other conditions are met so that your photo will be accepted. We are fast, and we are affordable, and we are 200% guaranteed to be accepted by the authorities.

Sources:

https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome