India Visa Guide
Indian Visa Photo Requirements - Size, Background, Format
The India e-Visa photo must be a recent, front-facing, white-background JPEG between 10 KB and 1 MB, square, with a neutral expression and no glasses. The passport bio page is uploaded separately as a PDF (10 KB to 300 KB). Non-compliant photos are the single biggest cause of e-Visa rejections.
- Processing time
- n/a
- Cost
- Free if you take it yourself
- Validity
- Recent (within 6 months)
- Eligibility
- All applicants
- How to apply
- Online upload
Step-by-step process
- Stand against a plain white wall in good light.
- Look straight at the camera, neutral expression, no glasses.
- Crop to a square with the face taking 70 to 80 percent of the frame.
- Save as JPEG between 10 KB and 1 MB.
- Upload on the e-Visa portal with the bio page.
Requirements
| Background | Plain white. |
|---|---|
| Format | JPEG, square. |
| Size | 10 KB to 1 MB. |
| Face | Front-facing, 70 to 80 percent of frame. |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open. |
Common mistakes
- Coloured or patterned background
- Wearing glasses
- File under 10 KB or over 1 MB
- Side-facing or tilted head
Expert tips
- Use daylight against a white wall for a clean photo.
- Compress to under 1 MB if the file is too large.
- No hats or head coverings (except religious).
- Re-shoot if the face is not centred.
Frequently asked questions
What size photo is needed for an India e-Visa?
A square JPEG between 10 KB and 1 MB with a white background.
Can I wear glasses in the India visa photo?
No. Glasses are not allowed in the e-Visa photo.
What background is required?
A plain white background.