Indian Visa Photo

India has deep societal and cultural traditions, as well as many beautiful places to see, which makes it a perfect destination to visit. This is why many people choose to go there. However, to be able to travel to India you might need a visa. More importantly, one of the most important items required to get a visa is a photograph. Do you know how to take the right one without repeating the most common mistakes? 

Indian Visa photo requirements

The photo for an Indian visa has to be recent, in order to confirm your current appearance - taken within the 6 (six) months prior to submitting your application. However, if your look has changed, it is recommended that you take a new photograph.

In any case, you will need a picture for your Indian visa so you need to know the requirements as well as what mistakes not to make, how to take a photo by yourself and how to use a mobile photo app or online photo tool.

Bear in mind that the photo for an Indian visa has slightly different requirements from the photo for a passport so you cannot use the same one.

Indian visa photo dimensions

The size of an Indian visa photo is 2 x 2 inches (51mm x 51mm) and should show the full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin. The height of the eyes must be between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3 inches and the size of the head should be from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm). When it comes to uploading a digital photo: the image must be in JPEG format, with a minimum size of 10 KB and a maximum of 1 MB, with the dimensions at least 350 pixels by 350 pixels in height and width (they must be equal). The Indian visa photo must be in color.

Facial expression and positioning

Your face in the Indian visa photo should have a full front-facing view, looking directly at the camera. Your facial expression has to be neutral, with both eyes open and not showing your teeth. You cannot smile or have an open mouth and your entire face and forehead should be visible.

Background 

The background of the photo should be plain, lightly-colored, or entirely white, and it cannot have any shadows. 

Lighting

The picture should show your natural skin tone and the color of your hair and eyes, so try to take the photo in good lighting and daylight. Avoid taking the photo after dark and using a flash, which sometimes causes a red-eye effect.

Quality

Remember that you have to upload a high-quality photo – in high resolution, without any damage or pixelization. Overexposed or underexposed photos are also incorrect. Try not to make it blurry or too dark, because that will cause rejection of your application.

Head and face coverings

Head coverings are not allowed, neither are glasses or any other items. Your face must be fully exposed, so facial piercings, jewellery, and other accessories are also not permitted if they are hiding any part of your face. The only headwear permitted is headwear that is worn for religious reasons, as long as it does not cover or obstruct your facial features.

Attire

You are not allowed to wear any kind of uniform. Your clothing should be basic, so wear something casual, your everyday look. However, do not wear anything extravagant and try not to choose exclusively white clothes so as to avoid your clothes blending with the background.

Indian visa photo tool

A perfect idea, so as to avoid crowds, spending too much money on professional photographers and driving to studios, is using an online service. All you need to do is to take a picture at home. However, it cannot be a selfie so please ask someone for help or put a tripod approximately 3 to 4 meters away. Afterwards, just upload it to our PhotoAiD service or app and we will take care of the rest. Our photo tool service offers:

• Replacing or changing the color of the existing background with the correct one
• Cropping your photo to the correct Indian visa photo size
• Checking the position of the head, facial expression, photo dimensions and other important elements to verify if they are acceptable.

When your photo is ready and has been verified by our service, you can order it on our site in a digital version as well as a printed one that would be shipped straight to your home. This process is very fast and easy, and it is the best way to get the perfect photo for your new visa to India.

Common mistakes in photos for an Indian visa 

When you are sure that you have filled in the application correctly and attached two identical photos matching all of the requirements, now is a good time to see if you really did not make any mistakes. If you didn’t do anything properly, your visa can be rejected and you will have to start all over again, including paying the Indian visa fees. 

To avoid rejection, have a look at this list of the most commonly made mistakes:

• Your head is tilted or you are not facing the camera. You must remember that your head has to be straight.
• Patterns or shadows on the background - use our photo background remover to avoid rejection.
• Smile or grimace on the face - you must maintain a neutral facial expression.
• Eyes directed away from the camera - eyes have to be visible and looking directly at the camera, this is the only acceptable way.
• Face partly covered by hair or headwear - neither hair, headwear or any other items or accessories can cover the eyes.
• Glare on glasses - glasses can reflect the light or cover your eyes and eyebrows, consider taking them off for the moment you are taking a photo.

Find out about other visa photos:

• Canada visa photo
• Chinese visa photo