Indian visa photo guidelines depend on how you apply. For an Indian e-Visa on indianvisaonline.gov.in, you upload a square JPEG between 10 KB and 1 MB showing your full face, front view, eyes open, without glasses, on a plain light-colored or white background. For a regular paper visa from the U.S., you register on the same Indian Visa Online portal (photo upload: square JPEG, 10–300 KB, 350×350 to 1000×1000 pixels) and submit your application through VFS Global, which also asks for a printed 2×2 inch photo. Glasses come off in both cases.
The official e-Visa page lists these requirements for the digital photograph:
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Format | JPEG |
| File size | Minimum 10 KB, maximum 1 MB |
| Shape | Height and width must be equal (square) |
| Pose | Full face, front view, eyes open |
| Glasses | Without spectacles |
| Framing | Head centered in the frame, full head shown from top of hair to bottom of chin |
| Background | Plain light-colored or white |
| Shadows | None on the face or background |
| Borders | None |
You also upload the bio page of your passport as a PDF (10–300 KB). The portal warns that applications are liable to be rejected if the uploaded photo and documents aren't clear or don't match the specification. It also says the e-Visa fee must be paid at least 4 days before your expected travel date.
The Embassy of India in Washington, DC says VFS Global is its outsourcing service provider for visas. Except for e-Visas, regular paper visas are processed by the embassy, with applications submitted through VFS — by mail or in person at a VFS Indian Consular Application Center after booking an appointment.
Digital photo for the online form. The Indian Visa Online portal's official photo upload guide for regular visas sets these parameters:
Printed photo. VFS Global's checklists and photo specification for India visas in the U.S. call for a 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) color photo with a plain white or light background, front view and no glasses. VFS's documents also mention a head height of about 1 to 1⅜ inches and ask that the printed photo match the one you uploaded. We couldn't load the current VFS documents directly, so confirm the checklist for your visa type on the VFS Global site before printing.
Take them off. The e-Visa spec says "without spectacles," and the VFS photo guidance also asks for no glasses. Unlike U.S. passport rules, the Indian guidelines we reviewed don't describe a medical exception, so if you can't remove your glasses, check with VFS or the embassy before applying. Also avoid tinted or colored contact lenses that change how your eyes look.
| E-Visa | Regular visa (U.S., via VFS) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | indianvisaonline.gov.in (e-Visa) | indianvisaonline.gov.in registration + VFS Global |
| Digital file | JPEG, 10 KB–1 MB, square | JPEG, 10–300 KB, square, 350–1000 px |
| Printed photo | Not needed | 2×2 in (51×51 mm), per VFS |
| Background | Plain light-colored or white | Plain white or light |
| Glasses | No | No |
Choose the right document: India e-Visa photo for indianvisaonline.gov.in or India visa photo 2×2 in (51×51 mm) for a regular visa. Photo-Visa.Online crops to the exact size, sets a plain background and runs a compliance check — we don't change your face. You see the result before paying. Need an Indian passport photo instead? See India passport photo.
There's no fixed pixel size, but it must be square (equal height and width), JPEG, and between 10 KB and 1 MB.
VFS Global's guidance calls for a 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) print. The online form upload must be a square JPEG of 10–300 KB, 350–1000 pixels per side.
No. The e-Visa specification says "without spectacles," and VFS asks for no glasses.
The e-Visa rules allow a plain light-colored or white background. White is the safest choice for both e-Visa and regular visas.
The 2×2 inch format matches, so a compliant U.S. passport photo usually works for the printed copy. For uploads, check the file size limits above. Explore other document formats on our countries page.