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OCI card photo requirements

OCI card photo: size and rules

As of October 25, 2026, an OCI card photo is uploaded as a square JPEG of 200 x 200 to 900 x 900 pixels, no larger than 200 KB, on a plain light background that is not white (per ociservices.gov.in, checked on Oct 25, 2026).

The photo specification on the Online OCI Services portal asks for a color photo of 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).

Retouching, enhancing or softening an OCI photo is not allowed by the specification.

Updated Rules checked against ociservices.gov.inHow we check

Measured drawing: OCI card photo2 in · 51 mm2 in · 51 mm1 3/8 in · 35 mm1 in · 25 mmchin1.3 in, our targetdigital: 200–900 px square
OCI card photo. Printed size 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm). Head 1 to 1 3/8 in (25–35 mm), measured from the chin to the top of the hair. The coral dot is where our tool places the top of the head (65% of the height).

OCI card photo at a glance

Printed size
2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm)ociservices.gov.in
Head height
1 to 1 3/8 in (25–35 mm)ociservices.gov.in
Digital size
Square, 200 x 200 to 900 x 900 pxociservices.gov.in
File size
200 KB or lessociservices.gov.in
Background
Plain light color, not whiteociservices.gov.in
Glasses
No tinted or dark lensesociservices.gov.in

Questions people ask

What are the digital photo requirements for an OCI card?

A square JPEG or JPG, between 200 x 200 and 900 x 900 pixels, no bigger than 200 KB. The scanned signature follows the same format and size limit.

The OCI portal rejects photos that do not meet its standards, which can delay the application. If something is wrong with an upload, the Indian mission or post handling the case sends an email.

Source: ociservices.gov.in

What size is an OCI photo, and how big should the head be?

The specification linked from the OCI portal describes a 2 x 2 inch (51 x 51 mm) color photo, with the head measuring 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) from the top of the hair to the chin.

The portal’s FAQ describes the same square, no smaller than 51 x 51 mm, as having 80% coverage of the face. Frame the head and shoulders with the face centered and both edges of the face showing.

Sources: ociservices.gov.in (pages 1, 2)

What background does an OCI photo need?

A plain, light color that is not white, with no border, according to the OCI FAQ. Light it so there are no distracting shadows on the face or the wall; diffuse light works better than a single point source.

Sources: ociservices.gov.in (pages 1, 2)

Common reasons a photo is turned down

  1. The OCI portal warns that photos outside its standards are rejected and can delay processing. ociservices.gov.in
  2. Diffuse light, such as an umbrella light, is preferred over a point source for an OCI photo, to keep shadows off the face and the background. ociservices.gov.in
  3. Over- or under-exposure that leaves an OCI photo unusable has to be avoided. ociservices.gov.in

Every rule, with its source

Size and head position

  • The photo specification on the Online OCI Services portal asks for a color photo of 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). ociservices.gov.in
  • Measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, the head in an OCI photo should be 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) tall. ociservices.gov.in
  • The OCI FAQ describes the uploaded photo as a square no smaller than 51 x 51 mm, with 80% coverage of the face. ociservices.gov.in

Background

  • For an OCI application, the background must be a plain light color but not white, with no border, and the photo shows the head and shoulders with the full face in the middle. ociservices.gov.in
  • Distracting shadows on the face or on the background are ruled out by the OCI photo specification. ociservices.gov.in

Glasses, head coverings and clothing

  • OCI applicants keep their eyes open, level and clearly visible, not hidden by hair or eyeglass frames. ociservices.gov.in
  • Tinted or dark lenses are not accepted in an OCI photo, and glare on clear glasses can be avoided by tilting the head slightly up or down. ociservices.gov.in
  • An OCI photo may include a head covering worn for religious reasons only, still showing the face from chin to forehead and both of its edges. ociservices.gov.in
  • The head faces the camera squarely in an OCI photo, neither tilted nor turned, and both edges of the face are visible. ociservices.gov.in

How recent

  • According to the Embassy of India in Washington, OCI cardholders must upload a copy of every new passport and a recent photo online, at any age, and the upload may be done within three months of receiving the passport. indianembassyusa.gov.in

Editing and filters

  • Retouching, enhancing or softening an OCI photo is not allowed by the specification. ociservices.gov.in

Digital file

  • The OCI upload has to be square, at least 200 x 200 pixels and at most 900 x 900 pixels. ociservices.gov.in
  • Both the photo and the signature uploaded for an OCI card must be JPEG or JPG files of 200 KB or less. ociservices.gov.in

Printed photo

  • A printed OCI photo should be on thin photo paper or stock, clear and with continuous-tone quality. ociservices.gov.in
  • Digitally printed OCI photos must not show visible pixels or dot patterns. ociservices.gov.in

Babies and children

  • Babies under one year do not need open eyes in an OCI photo. ociservices.gov.in
  • For children under ten, the OCI specification relaxes the face-height and eye-position rules somewhat. ociservices.gov.in
  • A child’s OCI photo shows the child alone, with no chair back, toy or other person in view, looking at the camera with a neutral expression and a closed mouth. ociservices.gov.in

Where photos come from

  • In the U.S., the Embassy of India says the printed OCI application form goes, with its enclosures and fee, to the VFS India Consular Application Centre for the applicant’s jurisdiction. indianembassyusa.gov.in
  • Updating passport details on an OCI record is free within three months of the new passport; after that, the OCI portal charges US$25. ociservices.gov.in
  • An OCI card obtained before age 20 has to be reissued when the holder gets a new passport after turning 20, per the Embassy of India in Washington. indianembassyusa.gov.in

Who reviews the photo

  • If an uploaded OCI photo or document falls short, the Indian mission, post or FRRO handling the case tells the applicant by email. ociservices.gov.in

FAQ

Can an OCI photo have a white background?

No. The OCI FAQ asks for a plain light-colored background and says, in parentheses, not white. It also asks for no border around the photo. Source: official page "Online OCI Services › Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)", checked on Oct 25, 2026.

What file size and pixel dimensions does the OCI portal accept?

JPEG or JPG, 200 KB at most, and square: from 200 x 200 up to 900 x 900 pixels. The same file limit applies to the signature image. Source: official page "Online OCI Services › Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)", checked on Oct 25, 2026.

Where do OCI applicants in the U.S. submit their application?

After applying online, they print the application form and send it, with the enclosures and fee, to the VFS India Consular Application Centre for their consular jurisdiction, as the Embassy of India in Washington explains. Acceptance of the photo is decided by the Indian mission, not by any photo service, SelfieToPassport included. Source: official pages "Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card — Embassy of India, Washington D.C." and "Online OCI Services › Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)", checked on Oct 25, 2026.

Is SelfieToPassport the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (Online OCI Services)?

No. SelfieToPassport is not affiliated with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (Online OCI Services) or any other government agency. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (Online OCI Services) publishes the photo rules for free at ociservices.gov.in; this page links to each one.

Does SelfieToPassport replace the background of an OCI card photo?

We crop and resize your original photo and never replace or repaint the background. If the wall does not pass the check, the tool asks for a new photo and tells you how to fix the light or the wall.

Ready? Free preview with the measurements drawn on your photo; $6.95 for the digital file and both print sheets.

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Where this information comes from

Every rule on this page comes from a page published by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (Online OCI Services), read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.

Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.