Indian Visa Photo and Application

Indian visa is a must for travellers from most countries worldwide, including the U.S., the E.U., the U.K., etc. Only citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and Maldives, can come to India visa-free.

Allong with your visa application, you must provide a photograph corresponding to the Indian visa photo requirements.

Table of contents

India E-Visa Application
Documents Required for In-Person India Visa Application
India Visa Photo Requirements
India E-Visa Photo Requirements
Online India Visa Photo Tool
India Visa Photo App
Can I Wear Glasses in the India Visa Photo?
India Visa Photo: Matte or Glossy
What types of Indian visas require photos?
Links

The photo specifications are the same for all application types, no matter how you will get your travel permit. The possible ways are the evisa, visa on arrival (available to citizens of Japan, South Korea, and UAE), via an Indian consulate or a visa center. Photos of a high level of quality are an essential part of your visa application package to be approved.

India E-Visa Application

To obtain an elecronic visa for India, you will need the following documents:

passport
scanned data page of your passport (PDF file size 10-300 Kb);
1 digital color square photo corresponding to official standards.

When crossing the border, you must have with you a return ticket or a ticket to a third country, as well as confirmation of the availability of funds.

Here is the procedure of obtaining an e-visa to India:

fill out an electronic form;
pay the permit processing fee 4 days before your intended trip to India;
track the status of the application on the website;
permission is given for entry with a "window" of 30 days (if the application is submitted on September 1, you can enter the country from September 5 to October 4);
after obtaining permission, print it out and keep it throughout your trip to India;
upon arrival in the country, the biometric data of the entrant is compulsorily recorded.

Documents Required for In-Person India Visa Application

The following documents are mandatory if you apply for a tourist visa at the Indian consulate:

passport;
visa application form, completed in English and printed, with two signatures under the photo and after the declaration;
1 colour photo, 2x2 or 35x45 inches in size, depending on the specific consulate;
round-trip air ticket;
hotel booking confirmation or notarized invitations (with a copy of the photo page and the host's passport page address);
a copy of the passport bio data page;
a copy of the child's birth certificate, with an English translation (if they travel with you);
a notarized power of attorney on the absence of objections from either parent if the child accompanies one of the parents.

Please note that visa requirements can vary based on your nationality, the specific consulate, and individual circumstances. It's essential to consult the official website of the Indian consulate where you plan to apply or their authorized visa service provider for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Requirements can change, and additional documentation may be requested during the application process.

India Visa Photo Requirements

Taking your photo, follow the guidelines below so that your visa application will be approved.

Depending on the consulate where you are applying, the Indian visa photo size should be either 5x5 cm (2x2 inches) or 35x45 cm;
The picture must be in colour;
The photo must have a plain light background;
Only clear pictures without blurring are allowed;
Your head height should be from 1 inch to 1.375 inches. Generally, it should be about 1.3 inches;
The upper part of the torso should be visible;
Do not wear white clothes as it will not contrast with the background;
When photographing, look directly into the camera. It is not allowed to lower your eyes.
Maintain a neutral, relaxed expression without various emotions;
Do not do fluffy bouffants or large curls. If you wear bangs, it is not allowed to push them over your face. Just do the usual simple open-forehead styling;

Take a picture no earlier than a few months before submitting the documentation to make the appearance as close to reality as possible. In such a way, the officials will quickly identify you from the photo.

Here is a photo example:

India E-Visa Photo Requirements

Here are the parameters of the digital photo you must attach to the online application.

The photo size must be at least 350 by 350 and a maximum of m 1000 by 1000 pixels;
The only valid format type is jpeg;
The minimum document weight is 10 kb, the maximum allowable is 1 Mb.
The photo must be taken only in the full face with open eyes;
The photo must have a plain light background;
There must be no shadows on your photo;
Your head should occupy at least 50% of the image.

Online India Visa Photo Tool

Where is the best place to take a photo for a visa application? With Visafoto you can make your visa photo online from the comfort of your home!

Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport or ID. No registration required. You will see results in seconds.

Upload photo & Continue

Source

Result

Use our visa photo cropping tool for the quickest result. Simply upload your full-face picture taken in a daylight.

It should look like this:

Visafoto will immediately modify the size and format, replace the background with plain white, and improve the image quality. The resulting picture will be 100% compliant to the established requirements.

India Visa Photo App

The 7ID App from Visafoto.com offers a hassle-free way to create professional-quality ID, passport, and visa photos right from your smartphone. It works seamlessly on both iOS and Android devices.

Getting started with the 7ID App is simple: upload your photo, select the document type and country, and let the app do the work. It automatically optimizes your image to match official guidelines, adjusting the size, format, background, and facial alignment to ensure compliance with required standards.

Can I Wear Glasses in the India Visa Photo?

If you have poor eyesight, you can use glasses with transparent lenses. If you use thick and eye-catching frames, the color of your eyes may change, and the photo will become invalid.

Indian visa photo: matte or glossy

While the type of paper (matte or glossy) is not explicitly specified in the official documents, it's generally recommended to use high-quality photo paper that ensures clarity and durability. Use our guidelines to print them at home. If you apply online, no printouts are needed.

What types of India visas require photos?

The information above suits the photos for the following visa types:

Indian tourist visa photo;
Indian transit visa photo;
Indian business visa photo;
Indian student visa photo;
Indian medical visa photo;
Indian work visa photo.

Last Update: February 2025