India Visa Photo: check yours against the official spec
An India visa photo (including the e-Visa) must be square, 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), with a plain light colored or white background and your full head visible from the top of your hair to your chin, centred in the frame. Glasses are not allowed at all: the photo must be taken without spectacles. The e-Visa upload is a JPEG between 10 KB and 1 MB.
Use a clear, front-facing photo against a plain white wall in even light. We measure and crop it. We never edit the pixels you submit.
India visa photo requirements
| Photo size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to top of hair) | 1 to 1 3/8 in (25 to 35 mm) |
| Eye height from bottom | 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 in (28 to 35 mm) |
| Background | plain light colored or white |
| Digital file | JPEG, at least 600 × 600 px |
Common reasons a India visa photo is rejected
- Glasses are worn. India visa photos must be taken without spectacles, with no exceptions for regular eyewear.
- The photo is not square, or the full head from the top of the hair to the chin is not visible and centred.
- The background is not a plain light color or white, or there are shadows on the face or background.
- The image has a border, or the file is outside the 10 KB to 1 MB JPEG range for the e-Visa upload.
“Photos must not be changed using computer software, phone apps or filters, or artificial intelligence.”
U.S. Department of State, passport photo requirements
Photo rejections are common, and you pay twice
A rejected photo means a delayed application and paying again for a retake. It's one of the most common problems people hit when applying, and it's exactly what this tool is built to catch before you submit:
- r/Passports: the many reasons photos get rejected →
- r/travel: struggling to get a visa photo under the file-size limit →
- MoneySavingExpert: a rejected UK passport photo and the redo →
We measure your photo against the official spec, never AI-edit it (itself a rejection reason as of 2026), and back it accepted-or-your-money-back.
What a passport photo really costs
The photo is the cheap part. The expensive part is a rejection: redo fees, another queue, and a delayed application or trip. Here is the honest comparison:
| Pharmacy or retail (CVS, Walgreens)$16 to $17 per attempt | No compliance guarantee. A rejection means paying and queueing again. |
|---|---|
| USPS photo serviceabout $15 | Same deal: rejected means a second visit and a second fee. |
| Cheap online photo editors$1 to $3 | Most replace your background with software. Edited photos are a documented rejection reason for the US, UK and Canada since 2026, and refunds usually cover technical failures only. |
| Compliant Passport PhotoFree check. $9 only if it passes | We measure and crop your original, never edit it. Accepted or your money back. |
Retail prices are typical 2026 US prices and vary by location. Our guarantee: accepted or your money back.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a US-style 2 x 2 passport photo for an India visa?
Generally yes. A compliant US-style 2 x 2 inch photo is square with a light background and the full face visible, which fits the India visa requirements, as long as you are not wearing glasses in it.
Do I need printed photos for an India e-Visa?
No. The e-Visa is a fully digital application: you upload a square JPEG between 10 KB and 1 MB, and no print is required.
Can I wear glasses in an India visa photo?
No. The requirements state the photo must be taken without spectacles. Take them off before shooting.
What file size does the India visa portal accept?
The e-Visa portal accepts a JPEG between 10 KB and 1 MB. The regular visa application portal caps uploads at 300 KB, so if you apply through that route keep the file smaller.
What background does an India visa photo need?
A plain light colored or white background with no shadows and no borders around the image.