India OCI Card Photo: check yours against the official spec

An OCI card photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), square, with the head measuring 25 to 35 mm and the eyes 28 to 35 mm from the bottom, the same geometry as a US passport photo. The background must be plain and light coloured: the official spec does not require pure white, and several missions prefer a non-white background so the edge of a white shirt stays visible. The online upload is a square JPEG of at most 500 KB, and the official spec says verbatim: do not retouch or otherwise enhance or soften the photo.

Upload a photo

Click anywhere here, or drag and drop your photo. 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.

🛡️ Accepted or your money back🔒 Your photo is deleted within 24 hours✓ We never edit your photo

21 documents checked against official specifications

India oci card 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 coloured
Digital file	JPEG, at least 600 × 600 px

Common reasons a India oci card photo is rejected

The photo was retouched, enhanced, or softened. The official specification forbids this verbatim.
The upload is not square, or breaks the JPEG limits: maximum 500 KB, with portal pixel caps of 900 to 1500 px depending on the version.
Tinted or dark glasses, glare on the lenses, or hair across the eyes.
Shadows on the face or background, or the head is not centred with the full head visible from top of hair to bottom of chin.

“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:

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 your result screen shows

Every photo is measured against these checks, the same list you see after uploading:

Head size
Eye position
Framing room
Resolution
Background colour
Plain background
Even lighting
Pose & expression

When every required check passes, the verdict reads “Passed” and you can download the exact photo you uploaded, cropped to spec, never edited. If a check fails, you get the reason and how to retake, and you pay nothing.

What real users said

“Photo accepted at the post office on the first try, which honestly surprised me. The instant spec check feels like it should be the default everywhere.”
Derya
“The webcam check instantly flagged my background was too cluttered even though I thought it looked fine, which was a nice surprise. Glad I didn't waste money printing a bad photo.”
Irmak
“Took a quick selfie with my webcam and it actually flagged the right issues with my framing. Kind of cool that they don't just slap a filter on it.”
Zafer
“love the pay-only-if-it-passes model, such a smart way to build trust before asking anyone to hand over money. the no AI editing promise is a really thoughtful touch too.”
Azra

From our Product Hunt launch, quoted verbatim. We never invent testimonials.

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.

Built by a real person

Nic built this after his own passport photo was rejected over a sizing issue he could not even see. The tool measures your photo against the official spec and never edits it, because since 2026 the US, UK and Canada reject AI-altered photos.

Read the launch story

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my US passport photo for an OCI card?

For the print check, yes: the OCI geometry matches the US passport photo (2 x 2 inches, head 25 to 35 mm, eyes 28 to 35 mm from the bottom). The background rule differs though: OCI asks for a plain light coloured background, not necessarily white.

What are the OCI photo upload requirements?

A square JPEG (height equals width), at most 500 KB, between 200 and 1500 pixels depending on the portal version; older portal versions cap at 900 px, so 600 to 900 px square is the safe target. The signature upload is a separate image with a 1:3 ratio.

Does the OCI photo background have to be white?

No. The official wording is a plain light colored background. Light grey or cream is fine, and several missions prefer non-white so the edge of a white shirt remains visible against the background.

Do I also need printed photos for an OCI application?

Possibly. Applications in the USA go through the ociservices.gov.in portal plus VFS, and printed photos may also be requested with the physical document packet. Check your mission's checklist before mailing.

What are the OCI photo rules for babies and children?

Babies under 1 need not have their eyes open. Under age 10 the face height and eye position rules are relaxed, but the child must be alone in the frame (no chair backs, toys, or other people), facing forward with a neutral expression and mouth closed.

Common problems with this photo

OCI application: 'Uploaded photo doesn't meet specifications. Please re-upload photo' fixed →