India Passport photo requirements
Passport Seva guidelines: 4.5 x 3.5 cm printed, 630 x 810 px digital, face taking up 80–85% of the photo (measured from top of hair to bottom of chin), a close-up of the head and top of the shoulders, white background, no glasses. Passport Seva Kendras usually also photograph applicants on site. Applying from the USA: VFS Global (services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-passport) publishes the same rules, not the 2 x 2 inch size used for India visas.
| Photo size | 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 630 x 810 px |
| Resolution | 457 DPI |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 80–85% of photo height |
| Eye line from bottom | Not specified |
| Background | plain white |
| File format | JPEG |
| File size | No limit published |
| Background editing | Not allowed by the official rules; we crop and resize only |
| Last verified | 2026-11-01 |
Official source: mportal.passportindia.gov.in
Guide: How to take a passport photo at home with your phone
How to take your India Passport photo
- Stand about 50 cm in front of a plain white wall, with nothing else in the background.
- Use soft, even light from the front (a window in daylight works well). Avoid shadows on your face and behind you.
- Have someone else take the photo from 1–2 m away with the camera at eye level. Avoid arm-length selfies.
- Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression, mouth closed and both eyes open.
- Remove glasses, hats and headphones unless the rules allow them (religious or medical exceptions vary).
- Leave space above your head and below your shoulders so the tool can crop to the exact size.
FAQ
- What size is a India Passport photo in pixels?
- 630 x 810 px, JPEG, on a plain white background. The printed size is 35x45 mm (1.38x1.77 in). The head should take up 80–85% of the photo height.
- I live in the USA. Is this the right photo for renewing my Indian passport through VFS?
- Yes. VFS Global's USA passport page asks for the same photo as Passport Seva: 630 x 810 px, face taking up 80–85% of the frame, full head from top of hair to bottom of chin, white background. The 2 x 2 inch size applies to India visas and OCI, not passports.
- Can I take my Indian passport photo with a phone?
- Usually yes, if the photo is sharp, evenly lit and taken from about 1–2 m away with the camera at eye level. Ask someone else to take it rather than using a selfie at arm's length, which distorts facial proportions.
- Can I wear glasses?
- Many authorities no longer accept glasses in photos, and others require no glare or tinted lenses. Check the official source linked on this page.
- What background should I use?
- The published requirement is: plain white. Stand about 50 cm in front of a plain wall to avoid shadows.
- Will my photo be accepted?
- We format your photo to the published spec, but acceptance is decided by the issuing authority.
Official source
Requirements are published by the issuing authority at https://mportal.passportindia.gov.in/pdf/Guidelines_for_ICAO_Compliant_Photographs_for_Passport_Applications.pdf. Last verified: 2026-11-01.
Disclaimer: We format your photo to the published spec; acceptance is decided by the issuing authority.