What Photo Requirements Does the Indian E-Visa Have?
Exact photo specifications for your Indian e-Visa application: dimensions, background color, file size, and the most common mistakes that get photos rejected.
Image selected to support the visa guidance topic. Always confirm final requirements before submitting your application.
Expert document review
Passport, photo, travel purpose, and supporting files checked before submission.
Clear rejection checklist
Each guide focuses on real mistakes that delay or weaken visa applications.
Private assistance service
We are not a government website; we help applicants prepare a stronger file.
India e-Visa review
Get the application checked before submission
We review passport details, photo quality, travel dates, category choice, and common rejection triggers.
Your photo is one of the most common reasons Indian e-Visa applications get rejected or delayed. The Indian e-Visa photo requirements are specific and the system is unforgiving — even slightly non-compliant photos get flagged. Here are the exact specifications and how to get it right the first time.
Exact Photo Specifications
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) only — no PNG, HEIC, BMP, or TIFF |
| File size | 10 KB to 1 MB |
| Dimensions | Minimum 350 × 350 pixels (square format recommended) |
| Background | Plain white or light-colored background |
| Face coverage | Face should occupy 50–70% of the frame |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed |
| Eyes | Open and clearly visible — no sunglasses, tinted lenses |
| Head coverings | Not allowed unless for religious reasons |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
#1 Mistake:
Using a standard US/UK passport photo (2x2 inches, 51x51mm). Indian e-Visa requires a square digital photo in JPEG format, not the physical passport photo you'd use for a US passport. The specs are different.
How to Take a Compliant Photo at Home
- Stand against a white wall with good, even lighting (natural daylight is best — face a window)
- Use a smartphone camera at arm's length or have someone else take it. Front camera works but rear camera gives better quality.
- Position yourself: Face the camera directly, both ears visible, chin level
- No flash: Flash creates glare and uneven shadows. Use natural light instead.
- Crop to square: Use your phone's photo editor to crop to a 1:1 (square) ratio with your face centered
- Check the file: Make sure it's a JPEG, at least 350×350 pixels, and under 1 MB
Top 10 Reasons Photos Get Rejected
- Wrong file format (PNG or HEIC instead of JPEG)
- File too large (over 1 MB) or too small (under 10 KB)
- Background not white/light enough — shadows or patterns visible
- Face too small in the frame — should be 50–70% of the image
- Glasses with glare or tinted lenses
- Photo is blurry or low resolution
- Photo is not square (rectangular crop)
- Selfie with visible arm or phone in frame
- Wearing headphones, hats, or non-religious head coverings
- Photo older than 6 months (noticeably different from passport photo)
Free Tools to Fix Your Photo
- Remove.bg: Free background removal — perfect if your photo has a non-white background. It replaces the background with white.
- iLoveIMG: Free online image resizer and compressor. Resize to 350×350+ and compress under 1 MB.
- Passport Photo Online: Websites that auto-crop and format your photo to specific country requirements.
- Your phone's built-in editor: Crop to square, adjust brightness/contrast if needed.
iPhone Users: Watch Out for HEIC Format
iPhones save photos in HEIC format by default, which is NOT accepted by the Indian e-Visa portal. To fix this:
- Before taking the photo: Go to Settings → Camera → Formats → Select "Most Compatible" (saves as JPEG)
- After taking the photo: Email the photo to yourself — iOS automatically converts to JPEG when emailing
- Use a converter: Free online tools like CloudConvert can convert HEIC to JPEG
Pro Tip:
The photo you upload to the e-Visa portal will be printed on your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). Immigration officers compare it to your face at the airport. Make sure it clearly represents your current appearance.
Glasses: To Wear or Not?
The safest option is to remove your glasses for the photo. If you must wear prescription glasses:
- No tinted or photochromic lenses
- No glare or reflections on the lenses
- Frames must not cover your eyes or eyebrows
- Both eyes must be clearly visible
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my passport photo from the photo booth?
Not directly. Photo booth images are typically 35×45mm rectangular prints. You'd need to scan it, crop it to a square, and save as JPEG at the correct size. It's usually easier to just take a new photo with your phone against a white wall.
Can I smile in my e-Visa photo?
No. The photo should have a neutral expression with your mouth closed. A slight natural smile is unlikely to cause rejection, but a big smile showing teeth will be flagged.
Does the photo need to match my passport photo exactly?
Not exactly, but you should look recognizably like both photos. Major differences (different hair color, significant weight change, new facial hair) can trigger a manual review and delay processing.
Can I wear a hijab or turban in my photo?
Yes. Religious head coverings (hijab, turban, kippah, etc.) are permitted. However, your face — from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead — must be fully visible. The head covering cannot cast shadows on your face.
Let Us Handle Your Photo
We check, crop, and optimize your photo to meet exact Indian e-Visa specifications — no rejections.
Apply With Expert Help →Don't Risk a Rejection or a Ruined Trip
One small mistake — a name that doesn't match your passport, the wrong occupation, a non-compliant photo, or the wrong visa category — can get your India e-Visa rejected or frozen in review for weeks. Government fees are non-refundable, a rejection can flag your passport for future applications, and most travelers only find out after they've paid and their flight is days away.
Our visa experts check every detail before submission, catch the errors that cause rejections, and back it with 24/7 human support — so you board your flight with total peace of mind.
Apply Safely With Expert Review →
About the Author
Support Desk
Customer Success Manager
"Dedicated to providing clear answers and smooth experiences for every applicant on our portal."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the photo requirements for the Indian e-Visa?
The Indian e-Visa photo must be a square JPEG (minimum 350×350 pixels), file size between 10KB and 1MB, with a plain white background, full face visible, no glasses, no shadows, and a neutral expression.
What size should the Indian e-Visa photo be?
The photo must be square (equal height and width), at least 350×350 pixels, saved as a JPEG, with a file size between 10KB and 1MB.
Can I use a selfie for my Indian e-Visa?
No. Selfies, photos with colored backgrounds, photos wearing glasses or hats, and cropped or blurry images are common rejection triggers. Use a straight-on photo against a plain white wall with even lighting.
Why does the e-Visa site keep rejecting my photo?
The most common causes are a non-white background, wrong dimensions or file size, glasses or shadows on the face, or a non-JPEG format. Re-take the photo against a white wall and resize it to a square 350×350px JPEG under 1MB.
Official Sources
- Government of India e-Visa portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in
- Bureau of Immigration, India: boi.gov.in
Apply eVisa India is a private visa-assistance service. We are not affiliated with the Indian government.
