Indian passport from the US
Indian Passport Photo Requirements for Applicants in the US
For an Indian passport applied for from the US, the photo you upload must be 630 x 810 pixels, in color, on a white background, with your face filling 80 to 85% of the frame and a file size of 250 KB or less. Printed photos for VFS are 35 x 45 mm under the 2026 VFS USA adult checklist. PhotoForPass makes both from one phone photo.
- 14-day money-back guarantee
- Photo stays on your device until you pay
- Checked against official rules
Key takeaways
- Since December 1, 2025, Indian passport applications through embassies and consulates abroad need an ICAO-compliant photo upload: 630 x 810 px, white background, face 80 to 85%, up to 250 KB.
- The printed size has varied. The 2026 VFS USA adult checklist says 35 x 45 mm, while some older or minor checklists still say 2 x 2 inches. Follow the checklist for your exact service.
- The face must be much bigger than in a US 2 x 2 photo, so a US passport photo will not pass.
- Take off your glasses. Turban wearers must keep the forehead and face visible.
At a glance
- Digital upload
- 630 x 810 pixels, JPEG, up to 250 KB
- Face size
- 80 to 85% of the photo (MEA guideline)
- Background
- Plain white, no shadows
- Print size (VFS USA)
- 35 x 45 mm on the 2026 adult checklist
- Glasses
- Take them off
- Taken
- Recently; missions ask for no more than 6 months
- Upload required since
- December 1, 2025, for applications through missions abroad
- Photos
- 1 upload, plus prints if your checklist asks for them
- Photo size
- 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in)
- Head heightchin to top of head
- 36 to 38.3 mm
- Background
- White.
- Glasses
- Remove them to avoid reflections (MEA guideline item 9).
- Expression
- Natural expression, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight at the camera, head not tilted.
- Taken
- Recent.
Indian passport photo requirements in 2026
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) publishes one ICAO photo guideline for passport applications made through Indian missions abroad, including the Embassy of India in Washington and the consulates in the US. The digital upload is now the main requirement, and printed photos follow the VFS checklist for your service.
The table lists every rule with its source. Inside India, Passport Seva Kendras take your photo on site, so these rules matter when you apply from the US or another country.
| Requirement | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Digital size | Exactly 630 x 810 pixels, color | MEA ICAO guideline |
| File | JPEG, 250 KB or less | MEA ICAO guideline |
| Face size | Face covers 80 to 85% of the photo | MEA ICAO guideline |
| Background | White, no shadows | MEA ICAO guideline |
| Expression | Natural, mouth closed, eyes open, head not tilted | MEA ICAO guideline |
| Glasses | Remove them to avoid reflections | MEA ICAO guideline |
| Head covering | Religious only; face from chin to forehead and both edges visible | MEA ICAO guideline |
| Edits | Unaltered photo | MEA ICAO guideline |
| Print size | 35 x 45 mm (some older checklists: 51 x 51 mm) | VFS Global USA checklist |
| Recency | No more than 6 months old | Mission guidance |
35x45 mm or 2x2 inches? The Indian passport photo size conflict explained
If you have searched for the size of an Indian passport size photo, you have probably seen two answers: 35 x 45 mm and 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). Both have been used, which is why the confusion exists.
Where each size comes from
The digital rule is clear. The MEA guideline asks for 630 x 810 pixels, which has the same 7:9 shape as a 35 x 45 mm photo. For printed photos, the 2026 VFS Global USA adult passport checklist says 35 x 45 mm. Some older checklists, and some checklists for minors and other services, have asked for 2 x 2 inches. We could only read the VFS checklists through search extracts, so treat the print size as something to confirm.
What to do
Download the current checklist for your exact service from VFS Global USA before you print. If it says 35 x 45 mm, use our print sheet as it is. If it says 2 x 2 inches, print that size instead; our 2x2 photo tool makes 2 x 2 prints on a white background. In both cases, keep the 630 x 810 file for the online upload, because that rule does not change.
How to apply for an Indian passport from the US
Indian passport services in the US start online and finish through VFS Global, which handles passport applications for the Embassy and consulates. The photo upload happens at the start, so get it right before you fill in the form.
- Fill in the online application on the Passport Seva portal for missions abroad and upload your 630 x 810 photo.
- Download and check the VFS Global USA checklist for your service, such as an adult renewal or a minor passport.
- Gather your documents and any printed photos the checklist asks for.
- Submit everything through VFS Global as instructed for your jurisdiction.
The portal checks the upload against the ICAO rules, so a photo with a small face, a gray background or the wrong pixel size can be refused before you even submit.
Why Indian passport photos get rejected
Most refused uploads fail on size or framing, not on the face itself. These are the problems to check first.
- Face too small. A US 2 x 2 photo has the head at 50 to 69% of the height. The Indian rule is 80 to 85%, so the face must fill most of the frame.
- Wrong pixel size. The upload must be exactly 630 x 810 pixels. A square photo or a phone original will not pass.
- File too large. Anything over 250 KB is refused. Phone photos are usually several megabytes.
- Background not white. Gray walls, off-white rooms and shadows behind the head are common reasons for refusal.
- Glasses. The MEA guideline asks you to remove them to avoid reflections.
- Head tilted or mouth open. Keep your head straight and your mouth closed.
- Hair or covering over the face. The face from chin to forehead and both edges must be visible.
How PhotoForPass makes your Indian passport photo
PhotoForPass prepares the 630 x 810 upload and the printed photos from a single phone photo. Checks run in your browser before you pay, so your photo stays on your device until then.
We check face position, eyes, lighting, shadows and background against the MEA rules. Then we fix the lighting, replace the background with plain white, crop so your face fills 80 to 85% of the frame, and size the file to exactly 630 x 810 pixels at 250 KB or less.
- Digital photo ($16.95): the 630 x 810 JPEG for the Passport Seva upload.
- Photo + print sheet ($18.95): the same file plus a print-ready 4 x 6 inch sheet (JPG and PDF) with 8 photos at 35 x 45 mm, ready for CVS, Walgreens or Walmart.
Each order includes up to 5 photo checks and 3 free redos per person, and files are ready about 30 to 60 seconds after payment. Final acceptance is up to the Indian mission and VFS Global. If your photo is rejected, our 14-day money-back guarantee gives you a full refund.
How to take an Indian passport photo at home
About 5 minutes
-
Step 1: Stand in front of a white wall
Use a plain white wall with nothing behind you. Stand a step away from it so your shadow does not fall on the wall.
-
Step 2: Light your face evenly
Face a window or soft light. Avoid overhead lights that cast shadows under the eyes or on one side of the face.
-
Step 3: Keep the camera at a distance
The MEA guideline says to take the photo about 1.5 m (5 ft) from the camera, not too close. Have someone hold the phone at your eye level.
-
Step 4: Take off glasses and clear your face
Remove glasses and push hair away from the face. If you wear a turban, keep your forehead and face fully visible.
-
Step 5: Look straight at the camera
Keep a natural expression with your mouth closed, eyes open and head straight, not tilted.
-
Step 6: Upload, check and download
Upload the photo to PhotoForPass, review the checks, then download the 630 x 810 file for the portal and the 35 x 45 mm print sheet if your checklist needs prints.
Pricing
Simple prices, no subscription
Pay once, only when you like the result. Every package includes up to 5 photo checks and 3 free redos per person.
-
Digital photo
For online forms only
$16.95- Official-size digital JPG
- Ready for online applications
- Up to 5 checks, 3 free redos
- Most popular
Photo + print sheet
Digital file and prints
$18.95- Everything in Digital
- Print-ready 4x6 sheet (JPG + PDF)
- Print at home, CVS, Walgreens or Walmart
-
Family pack, 2 people
Two people, one order
$29.95- Photo + print sheet for 2 people
- Each person checked separately
- One checkout
- Best value
Family pack, 3 people
Three people, one order
$39.95- Photo + print sheet for 3 people
- Each person checked separately
- One checkout
Prices in US$. One-time payment with Apple Pay, Google Pay, cards or Link.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the Indian passport photo size for applicants in the US?
For an Indian passport applied for from the US, the digital upload must be 630 x 810 pixels with the face filling 80 to 85% of the photo. Printed photos are 35 x 45 mm according to the 2026 VFS Global USA adult checklist, although some older or minor checklists have said 2 x 2 inches. Always confirm the print size on the current checklist for your service.
What pixel size is required for an Indian passport photo upload?
The Indian passport photo upload must be exactly 630 x 810 pixels, in color, as a JPEG of 250 KB or less. This comes from the MEA guideline for ICAO-compliant photos, which has been mandatory for applications through missions abroad since December 1, 2025. The face must cover 80 to 85% of the image and the background must be white.
Is the Indian passport photo 2x2 or 35x45?
Both sizes have been used. The 2026 VFS Global USA adult passport checklist says 35 x 45 mm, and the 630 x 810 pixel upload has the same shape. Some older checklists and some for minors or other services have asked for 2 x 2 inches. Download the current checklist for your service from VFS Global before you print.
How much of the photo should my face cover in an Indian passport photo?
In an Indian passport photo, your face should cover 80 to 85% of the photo, according to the MEA ICAO guideline. That is much larger than in a US 2 x 2 passport photo, where the head fills 50 to 69% of the height. A photo cropped for US rules will usually be refused for being too small.
Can I wear glasses in an Indian passport photo?
No. The MEA guideline asks you to remove glasses for an Indian passport photo to avoid reflections. Take them off before the photo is taken. If you need glasses to see, put them back on right after; the photo only needs a few seconds.
What background color is required for an Indian passport photo?
An Indian passport photo needs a plain white background with no shadows. Light gray or off-white walls can cause a refusal. PhotoForPass replaces the background with plain white, but you will get the cleanest result if you stand a step in front of a light wall and face a window.
Can I wear a turban or head covering in an Indian passport photo?
Head coverings are not allowed in an Indian passport photo except for religious reasons. The face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face must be visible. Turban wearers must keep the forehead and face clear.
Is the OCI photo the same as the Indian passport photo?
No. An OCI card application has its own photo upload rules on the OCI portal, separate from the passport rules on this page. Check the current OCI instructions before you take the photo. This page covers only Indian passport applications from the US.
Can I use my Indian passport photo for an Indian visa?
No. An Indian visa photo is square, printed at 2 x 2 inches where prints are needed, while the Indian passport upload is 630 x 810 pixels with a much larger face. If you also need a visa for a family member with a foreign passport, see our India visa photo page for the square format.
Are the rules different for a baby or child Indian passport photo?
Yes, partly. The MEA publishes a separate guideline for minors under 4, with relaxed requirements for small children. The child should still be alone in the photo against a white background. Check the VFS checklist for minors too, because it may list a different print size from the adult checklist.
Do I need a photo if I apply for an Indian passport inside India?
No. Inside India, the Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra takes your photo during the appointment. The 630 x 810 upload and printed photos described here are for applications through Indian missions abroad, such as the Embassy and consulates in the US.
What if my Indian passport photo is rejected?
If the portal or VFS refuses your Indian passport photo, you will need a new one before your application can move forward. Acceptance is always up to the Indian mission. With PhotoForPass, you can use one of your 3 free redos to fix the problem, or claim a full refund under our 14-day money-back guarantee.
Related
- Indian visa photo 2 x 2 inch visa and e-Visa photo
- 35 x 45 mm photo The ICAO size used across Europe
- 2x2 photo maker Any 2 x 2 inch photo in about a minute
- Take it at home Light, background and framing tips
- Print your photos Print a 4x6 sheet at home or in store
- Passport photo checker Check a photo against the rules
- Pakistani passport photo 35 x 45 mm passport photo
- Glasses rules When glasses are and are not allowed
Official sources
We check these pages when the rules change. Last updated Nov 8, 2026.
- MEA: Guidelines for ICAO Compliant Photographs for Passport Applications (Embassy of India, Bern copy) (opens in a new tab)
- Embassy of India, Bern: Notice regarding ICAO photo requirements (opens in a new tab)
- MEA guideline (Passport Seva, original host) (opens in a new tab)
- VFS Global USA: Indian passport adult document checklist 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Ready when you are
Get your Indian passport photo
A 630 x 810 upload file plus 35 x 45 mm prints from one phone photo, checked against the MEA rules. 14-day money-back guarantee.
- 14-day money-back guarantee
- Photo stays on your device until you pay
- Checked against official rules
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