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India e-Visa photo requirements

The photo rules set by Government of India (Indian Visa Online portal) for the India e-Visa, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 1 official source · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What are the India e-Visa photo requirements?

The India e-Visa photo must be a square JPEG (equal height and width) of 10 KB to 1 MB. It shows your full face from the front with eyes open and without spectacles, on a plain light-coloured or white background with no shadows or borders. You also upload your passport bio page as a PDF of 10 to 300 KB.

These rules come from the official e-Visa portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in, run for the Government of India. The e-Visa has several categories, such as e-Tourist, e-Business and e-Medical, and the same photo rules apply to all of them.

The portal sets no pixel size. The head must be centred and shown in full, from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin.

India e-Visa photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by Government of India (Indian Visa Online portal):[1]

Print sizeSquare: height and width must be equal
Head heightFull head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, centred in the frame
BackgroundPlain light-coloured or white
File sizeMinimum 10 KB, maximum 1 MB
File formatJPEG

Key requirements

  • Face

    Full face, front view, eyes open.

  • Shadows and borders

    No shadows on the face or background, and no borders.

  • White or light background

    The photo specification allows a plain light-coloured or white background, but the portal's general instructions mention a recent front-facing photo with a white background. A plain white background meets both.

  • Passport bio page

    A scan of the page with your photo and details (name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date), as a PDF of 10 to 300 KB.

  • Extra documents

    Depending on the e-Visa type, such as a business card or a hospital letter, as a PDF of 10 to 300 KB.

  • When to apply

    Apply online at least 4 days before your arrival date, within a window of 120 days. The fee must also be paid at least 4 days before travel.

  • Biometrics

    Biometric details are captured at immigration on arrival in India, where the e-Visa is stamped in your passport.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Show your full face from the front with eyes open
  • Centre your head, from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin
  • Use a plain white or light-coloured background
  • Crop the photo to a square
  • Check the photo is clear and matches you before submitting

Don't

  • Do not wear spectacles
  • Do not leave shadows on the face or background
  • Do not add a border
  • Do not upload a photo under 10 KB or over 1 MB

Glasses

Not allowed. The photo must show your face from the front with eyes open and without spectacles.

Digital upload only: a square JPEG of 10 KB to 1 MB. The portal sets no pixel size.

Where to submit the photo

Upload the photo and the passport bio page PDF on the official e-Visa portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in. The ETA is sent by email; check that it shows GRANTED on the portal and carry a copy when you travel. People with a defence, military, security or police background, and holders of official or diplomatic passports, cannot use the e-Visa and apply for a regular visa instead.

How to get your India e-Visa photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the India e-Visa: plain light-coloured or white background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: face; shadows and borders; white or light background; passport bio page.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Digital upload only: a square JPEG of 10 KB to 1 MB. The portal sets no pixel size.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Upload the photo and the passport bio page PDF on the official e-Visa portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in. The ETA is sent by email; check that it shows GRANTED on the portal and carry a copy when you travel.

India e-Visa photo FAQ

The portal sets no pixel size, but the photo must be square (equal height and width), a JPEG of at least 10 KB and at most 1 MB, with your full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, centred.

No. The e-Visa photo rules say the photo should show your face from the front with eyes open and without spectacles.

The photo specification says a plain light-coloured or white background, while the portal's general instructions mention a recent front-facing photo with a white background. A plain white background meets both.

A scan of the bio page of your passport showing your photo and details, as a PDF of 10 KB to 300 KB. Business and medical e-Visas need another PDF document of the same size.

The portal says applications are liable to be rejected if the uploaded documents and photograph are not clear or not as per specification, and that you are responsible for checking your photo and details before you submit.

Yes. Biometric details are captured at immigration on arrival in India.

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Official sources

  1. Government of India, Indian Visa Online. e-Visa instructions and photo requirements indianvisaonline.gov.in. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with Government of India (Indian Visa Online portal) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"India e-Visa photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/india/evisa-photo

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