Crop the right photo for an Indian visa
Many Indian visa and e-visa forms still use a 2×2 inch square, but portals add file-size caps and sometimes different pixel guidance. Confirm the upload page before you compress.
Consulate paper forms and Indian Visa Online often describe the same square look as a passport photo. That does not mean you should reuse a damaged scan from an old passport book—submit a new, sharp colour image.
Some channels (including certain “visa from abroad” workflows) keep the square millimetre size but reject files that are too heavy or too soft after browser compression. Crop first, then export a clean JPEG within the stated kilobyte range.
If your invitation letter or mission checklist lists a non-square size, follow that sheet. Do not assume every Indian visa equals Passport Seva.
| Specification | Official requirement |
|---|---|
| Common visa photo | 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 in) |
| Online square crop | About 50.8 × 50.8 mm |
| Background | Plain light colour |
| Upload format | Usually JPEG |
| Pose | Full face toward camera |
Always confirm the latest rules on the official government site before you submit.
Cream or textured walls, wrong head size after a selfie, and beauty filters cause most delays.
- Never stretch a 35×45 or 4:3 phone photo into a square—re-crop.
- Turn off beauty modes that slim the nose or jaw.
- Name the file simply; some portals dislike long filenames.
- Keep a backup of the uncompressed crop in case the first upload fails.
Make your passport photo now
Crop to the official size in your browser, then download to upload or print.
Works on phone or desktop. No app download.
Can I print my own passport photo at home?
Will a home-printed photo be accepted?
What size should I print?
- • Recent colour photo
- • Square crop when the portal shows a square frame
- • Plain background
- • Neutral expression
- • Face fully visible
- • Correct orientation (not rotated)
- • Readable quality after upload compression
- • No other people or text in the frame
- • Uploading a PDF screenshot instead of a real JPEG photo
- • Using a group photo cropped to one face with uneven edges
- • Glare from glasses on an otherwise correct square
- • Submitting a black-and-white scan
- • Ignoring a mission-specific size note on the appointment letter
Is the visa photo always 2×2?
For many Indian visa streams yes, but mission letters can override—read the form attached to your appointment.
Can I upload a PNG?
Most portals want JPEG. Convert before you upload.
Do I need a white background for e-visa?
A plain light background is required; pure white is safest when the page does not specify a shade.
What resolution should I use?
High enough to stay sharp after the portal compresses the file—avoid tiny social-media exports.
Can I wear a hijab or turban?
If your face is fully visible per the checklist. Avoid shadows from the fabric edge.
Is a selfie angle acceptable?
No. Hold the camera at eye level or use a stand so the face is not tilted.
Why does the site say “face not detected”?
Usually the crop is too tight, the background is busy, or the image is too dark—re-crop with more headroom.
Should spouses use identical studio setups?
Each person needs their own compliant photo; matching outfits is fine if backgrounds stay plain.