IN India OCI Passport (2x2 inch, 51x51mm, 200x200 to 1500x1500 pixels) Application: Photo Guidelines (Step-by-Step)

By AI Assistant 740 words 4 min read

Applying for an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card starts with submitting a flawless passport-style photograph—get this right, and you’ll fast-track your lifelong travel and residency privileges in India. Your photo must measure exactly 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) and offer a digital resolution between 200×200 and 1500×1500 pixels, ensuring every feature is crisp and perfectly proportioned. From optimal lighting and a neutral background to accurate head positioning and file formatting, this guide distills decades of expertise into straightforward, actionable steps—so you can upload a picture that meets India’s stringent standards on the very first try.

Requirements

  • Dimensions: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) square print with a 1:1 aspect ratio
  • Pixel Requirements: 200×200 to 1500×1500 pixels digital image in JPEG format with 24-bit color depth and sRGB color profile
  • File Size: between 10 KB and 1 MB, free of compression artifacts or excessive noise
  • Head Size: 25 mm–35 mm (1–4 inches) from chin to crown on the printed photo
  • Facial Position: full face centered and upright, both eyes level and fully visible, no head tilt or turn
  • Facial Expression: neutral expression with mouth closed, eyes open and directed at the camera, no smiling
  • Background: plain white or off-white, evenly lit, no shadows, patterns, textures or objects visible
  • Lighting: uniform frontal illumination, no harsh shadows or hot spots, natural skin tones without red-eye
  • Glasses: allowed if worn daily, thin non-reflective frames only, no tinted or dark lenses, eyes fully visible
  • Head Covering: permitted only for religious purposes, face from forehead to chin and both edges of the face must be clearly visible and not blend into the background
  • Clothing: everyday attire (no uniforms, camouflage or pure white garments that merge with background)
  • Photo Age: taken within the last 6 months, accurately reflecting current appearance
  • Print Quality: high-resolution color print on matte or glossy photo paper, no creases, tears, ink marks or borders

Step-by-Step Process

Content about IN India OCI Passport (2x2 inch, 51x51mm, 200x200 to 1500x1500 pixels) Application: Photo Guidelines - process

Tips and Best Practices

  • Precise Dimensions: ensure the photo is exactly 2×2 in (51×51 mm) and 200×200–1500×1500 px to prevent upload rejection and processing delays
  • Neutral Background: use a plain white or light grey backdrop with no shadows or patterns to meet OCI requirements and enable clear facial recognition
  • Centered Head Position: align your head centrally so it occupies 70–80% of the frame from chin to crown to avoid cropping errors and maintain compliance
  • Even Lighting: shoot with balanced, diffused light to eliminate shadows, glare, and overexposure for clear feature visibility and smooth verification
  • No Obstructions: remove hats, scarves (unless religious), and non-tinted glasses to ensure an unobstructed view of your face and avoid security check issues

Conclusion

  • Size and Dimensions: Photo must be exactly 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) with the head height 1–1 ⅜ inches (25–35 mm) and eyes 1 to 1 ⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the photo
  • Pixel and File Specifications: Image resolution between 200×200 and 1500×1500 pixels, in JPEG format, not exceeding 240 KB file size
  • Background and Lighting: Uniform white or off-white background with even lighting, no shadows, reflections, or patterns
  • Head Position and Expression: Full-face view with neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking directly at the camera, no head tilt or accessories obscuring features
  • Compliance Reminder: Strictly follow these guidelines to avoid delays or rejection in your India OCI passport application process
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