India e-Visa photo rules in plain words
The Indian Visa Online portal asks for a digital photo only, so there is no printed size. The photo must be a square JPEG (height equal to width), and IDPhotoly produces it at 600x600 pixels and 300 DPI. The file size must be between 10 KB and 1 MB. The often-quoted range of 350-1000 px is not on the official page.
- Head size: 50-69% of the photo height, showing the full head from the top of the hair to the chin.
- Background: plain light-coloured or white, with no shadows and no border.
- Glasses: not allowed.
- Head covering: religious only, with the face fully visible.
How to take the photo at home with a phone
Stand in front of a plain white or light wall and use soft light from a window in front of you. Hold the phone at eye height and look straight into the lens. Keep a neutral expression and make sure the top of your hair and your chin are both visible.
- Remove your glasses before taking the picture.
- Stand a little away from the wall to avoid shadows.
- Do not crop the head tightly; the head should take about half to two thirds of the height.
IDPhotoly processes the image in your browser without uploading it, crops it to a square, replaces the background and checks that the head falls within 50-69% of the height.
Common reasons for rejection
- Not square. The portal requires height equal to width.
- File size out of range. Files under 10 KB or over 1 MB are refused.
- Head too large or too small. It must take up 50-69% of the photo height.
- Spectacles worn. Glasses are not allowed.
- Shadows or a border. The background must be plain and borderless.
Uploading the photo
This is a digital-only document. Download the 600x600 px JPG and upload it in the e-Visa application on the Indian Visa Online portal, together with your other application data. Do not print or resize the file after it passes the check.
Tips for a clean result
Use a recent photo that resembles your passport photo. Avoid filters, and keep your face evenly lit with both eyes open.
Payment is one-time, and you receive a full refund if an authority rejects the photo.
Before you submit
Preview the downloaded file on your computer and check that it is square, that your whole head is visible and that the file size is within the limit. If the portal reports a problem, return to the original picture and prepare a new file instead of enlarging or compressing the old one, because repeated changes reduce image quality and can alter the head proportion.