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Indian passport photo format

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Indian passport photo format

  • Size: Passport photos must measure precisely 2 inches by 2 inches (51 mm x 51 mm). This standardized size ensures consistency in passport documentation.
  • Color: The photographs should be in color, not black and white or sepia. Color photos accurately capture skin tones and facial features.
  • Face and Eyes: The subject’s face should be fully visible, with a front-facing view, open eyes, and a natural expression. This helps authorities confirm the individual’s identity.
  • Head Coverage: Head coverings, like turbans or veils, are allowed for religious reasons but must not obscure any facial features. The entire face, including from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges, should remain clearly visible.
  • Background: A plain, light-colored background, preferably white, is mandatory. The background should be free of patterns, objects, or distractions to keep the focus on the subject’s face.
  • Glasses: Passport photos should depict the subject without spectacles. This ensures consistency with the individual’s typical appearance for easier identity verification.
  • Borders: Photos must not have decorative borders. This maintains a uniform appearance across all passport photos.
  • Equal Height and Width: The photo’s height and width must be equal, ensuring it fits appropriately within the designated space on the passport.


Here’s the full rules for India passport photo specifications:

  • The photograph should be in colour and of the size of 2 inch x 2 inch (51 mm x 51 mm).
  • The photo-print should be clear and with a continuous-tone quality.
  • It should have full face, front view, eyes open.
  • Photo should present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin.
  • Center head within frame.
  • The background should be a plain light colored background.
  • There should not be any distracting shadows on the face or on the background.
  • Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons, but the facial fea tures from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown.
  • The expression on the face should look natural.
  • The height and width of the Photo must be equal.
  • Photo should present full face, front view, eyes open and without spectacles
  • Center head within frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin
  • Background should be plain light colored or white background.
  • No shadows on the face or on the background.
  • Without borders.
India Passport
Click the photo to view the India passport photo size infographic.

Visas for Future Passport Photo Service

Use the Visas for Future passport photo service to get a passport photo that’ll work for your application. Simply take a photo of yourself using our guidelines, send it in and we’ll edit it. We’ll send you your passport photos by post. We deliver to the Canada, EU, US, and UK.


How it works

Take a photo.
We verify your photo.
Passport photos are delivered by post or email.

How to take your passport photo

Here’s how you can take passport photos at home, to ensure that they’ll be high quality:

1.) Stand .5 meters or 2 feet from the wall. This ensures that there’s no shadow on your portrait.

2.) Place the camera 2 meters or 6 feet away from subject. This will prevent distortion and give you a prettier picture!

3.) Have the camera on the same level as the subject’s face.

4.) Use plenty of lighting. Natural light is preferred but plenty of light in general is the best. Make sure it is even and doesn’t leave a shadow.

Benefits of using an online passport photo service

There’s many choices when it comes to getting a passport photo but here are reasons why you should go with an online agent:

  1. You don’t have to leave your house.
  2. We know the passport photo rules of the country you’re applying to.
  3. We validate your photo – we check your passport photo to make sure it is in order.
  4. Save money with bulk orders – you can order many passport photos and save.

Why choose us

Visas for Future is a convenient service that can help you with your passport photo needs. Here are six reasons why you should choose Visas for Future for your passport photo services:

  • Expertise: Our experts ensure that your passport photo meets the official requirements of your destination country.
  • Convenience: You can upload your own photo or take one with your smartphone, and we will crop, resize, and enhance it to create a perfect biometric photo.
  • Support: We’re visa and passport photo experts. You can ask us travel questions, which will make your trip planning process easier.
  • Speed: Your photos are shipped within a day!
  • Unlimited retakes: You can also take as many photos as you want until you are satisfied with the result.

Join us and plant a tree!

Solving the most urgent environmental problems requires teamwork! That’s what motivated us to partner with One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization that aims to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees.

We plant a tree for every product sold. Our vision is to support communities and the environment by offering services to the public. For every product sold, we’ll plant a tree. We do this with local help to support local economies and communities. This is in opposition to mass-tourism, that sucks the soul out of destinations. This is also in opposition to greedy international corporations, whose only concern are shareholder profit.

We do this with the help of One Tree Planted. A portion of every purchase goes to a reforestation or an urban forestry project. We hope that, by succeeding, we can have a future that we hope for, not dread. You can help us, by voting with your consumption. Buy a visa from us, to plant a tree.

Our tree planting projects follow these guidelines:

  1. They aim to create green spaces, protect wildlife, store carbon, improve farming or benefit communities.
  2. They plant at least 10,000 trees.
  3. They use a variety of native plants that fit the local environment.
  4. They engage and empower the local people.
  5. They draw on the knowledge and skills of experts or professionals in reforestation fields.
  6. They leave the trees planted for nature and not for profit.
  7. They track and care for the trees planted to ensure around an 80% survival rate.

FAQ

How do I take a passport photo with Visas for Future?

Simply use your smart phone or camera to take a photo and upload it to our form. You can do this on your phone or on your desktop/laptop.

How do I print my passport photo?

We can send you printed passport photos if you live in the US, Canada, or EU. You can also get a digital download which you can print on printer paper at home as an alternative. To print at home, use your home printer.

How recent must my passport photo be?

Your passport photo must be taken within the last six months of your application date.

I have additional questions about passport photo.

You can contact us here.

Discover More About Indian passport photo format

Here is an overview of the specific dimensions and specifications for passport photos in India, and the importance of adhering to the correct size to ensure a successful application process and avoid delays:

  • The photograph should be in color and of the size of 2 inch x 2 inch (51 mm x 51 mm).
  • The photo-print should be clear and with a continuous-tone quality.
  • It should have full face, front view, eyes open.
  • Photo should present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin.
  • Center head within frame.
  • The background should be a plain light colored background.
  • There should not be any distracting shadows on the face or on the background.
  • Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons, but the facial fea tures from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown.
  • The expression on the face should look natural.
  • The height and width of the Photo must be equal.
  • Photo should present full face, front view, eyes open and without spectacles
  • Center head within frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin
  • Background should be plain light colored or white background.
  • No shadows on the face or on the background.
  • Without borders.

It is important to adhere to the correct size and specifications for your passport photo to ensure that your application is processed smoothly and without delays. If your photo does not meet the requirements, it will be rejected and you will have to start the application process over again.

Additional Guidelines:

  • Your photos must be taken within the last six months.
  • The photos may be either black and white or color.
  • The photos must be clear, well-defined, and taken against a plain white or light-colored background.
  • If the photographs are digital, they must not be altered in any way.

Your passport photo needs to be a sharp, up-to-date image that faithfully represents your current look. It should have been taken in the past half-year.

Below are some extra suggestions for capturing a suitable passport photo for India:

  1. Ensure your face is positioned at the center of the frame and your head is upright.
  2. Gaze directly at the camera.
  3. Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open.
  4. Refrain from wearing hats, sunglasses, or any other head coverings.
  5. Make certain your hair is pulled back from your face to reveal your ears.

Understanding the Indian Passport Photo Format

Understanding the Indian Passport Photo Format” is an appropriate and informative heading for a section or article that explains the specific requirements and guidelines for passport photos in India. It clearly indicates the focus of the content and would be helpful for readers seeking information about this topic.

Additional tips for taking a good Indian passport photo:

  • Use a neutral background, such as a white wall or curtain.
  • Make sure your face is well-lit, but avoid harsh shadows.
  • Wear natural-looking makeup, if any.
  • Avoid wearing jewelry or other accessories that could obscure your face.
  • Stand up straight and look directly at the camera.
Indian passport photo format

What does photo identification mean?

Photo identification, commonly known as a photo ID, is a type of identification that incorporates a picture of the person it’s associated with. It acts as a tangible and authoritative confirmation of someone’s identity. Photo IDs find extensive applications across different scenarios, including government-issued ID cards, driver’s licenses, passports, employee badges, and more. The incorporation of a photo on the ID aids in confirming that the individual presenting it is the rightful owner of the document, thereby bolstering security and verification procedures.

What is an identity document?

An identity document (ID), also known as an identity card or identification card, is an official document issued by a government authority or relevant organization to establish and confirm a person’s identity. Identity documents typically include essential personal information, such as the individual’s full name, date of birth, photograph, and sometimes additional details like address or a unique identification number. These documents are used for various purposes, including proving one’s identity, obtaining government services, traveling internationally, and participating in legal and financial transactions.

The primary difference between the two terms is that photo identification is a broader concept that encompasses any form of identification with a photograph, while an identity document is a specific type of official document that serves the purpose of confirming a person’s identity and typically includes a photograph as a key component.

What is India  identity document?

In India, the primary identity document used by citizens is the Aadhaar Card. The Aadhaar Card is a government-issued unique identification document that contains a 12-digit Aadhaar number, along with the individual’s biometric and demographic information. It is considered one of the most important identity documents in India and is widely used for various purposes, including accessing government services, opening bank accounts, and more.

What is Photography?

Photography is the art, science, and practice of capturing images using light, chemicals, or digital technology. It involves creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically through an image sensor (in digital cameras) or chemically through the exposure of photosensitive material (in film cameras). Photographs can convey a wide range of emotions, ideas, and stories, making photography a powerful means of visual communication and artistic expression.


What is a Selfie?

selfie is a self-portrait photograph taken by an individual, typically using a smartphone, digital camera, or webcam. The term “selfie” is a combination of “self” and “portrait,” and it describes the act of taking a photo of oneself, often in various settings, situations, or poses.

India does not have a mandatory identity card. However, there are a number of identity documents that are widely accepted in India, including:

  • Aadhaar Card: The Aadhaar Card is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). It is the most widely accepted identity document in India and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as opening a bank account, applying for a passport, or enrolling in a government program.
  • Voter ID Card: The Voter ID Card is issued by the Election Commission of India to all eligible voters. It contains the voter’s name, address, and photograph.
  • Indian Passport: The Indian Passport is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs to Indian citizens. It is used for international travel.
  • ABHA Card: The ABHA Card is a health ID card issued by the National Health Agency. It contains the holder’s unique health ID number, name, address, and photograph.
  • Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card: The OCI Card is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs to overseas citizens of India. It allows OCI cardholders to live and work in India without a visa.
  • Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Card: The PIO Card is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs to persons of Indian origin. It allows PIO cardholders to visit India without a visa for up to 180 days per year.
  • Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card: The PAN Card is issued by the Income Tax Department to all Indian taxpayers. It contains the taxpayer’s name, address, and PAN number.

What is Digital Photography?

Digital photography is the art, science, and practice of creating images by capturing light or electromagnetic radiation electronically using an image sensor. Unlike traditional film photography, digital photography involves recording visual information in a digital format. This digital data can be stored, edited, and shared electronically, making it a versatile and widely used medium for capturing and preserving images.

What is a Mobile Phone?

A mobile phone, often simply referred to as a “cell phone” or “mobile,” is a portable electronic device designed for wireless communication. Mobile phones enable users to make voice calls, send text messages, access the internet, and run various applications. They are an essential tool for personal and professional communication and have evolved into multifunctional devices with features such as cameras, GPS navigation, and mobile apps.

What is a Smartphone?

A smartphone is an advanced mobile phone that offers enhanced features beyond basic communication. Smartphones are equipped with high-resolution touchscreens, powerful processors, and a wide range of applications. They provide capabilities such as internet browsing, email, social media access, photography, and app-based services. Smartphones have become an integral part of modern life, serving various purposes beyond communication.

What is Digital Photography? 

Digital photography is the art, science, and practice of creating images by capturing light or electromagnetic radiation electronically using an image sensor. Unlike traditional film photography, digital photography involves recording visual information in a digital format. This digital data can be stored, edited, and shared electronically, making it a versatile and widely used medium for capturing and preserving images.

What is a Mobile Phone? 

A mobile phone, often simply referred to as a “cell phone” or “mobile,” is a portable electronic device designed for wireless communication. Mobile phones enable users to make voice calls, send text messages, access the internet, and run various applications. They are an essential tool for personal and professional communication and have evolved into multifunctional devices with features such as cameras, GPS navigation, and mobile apps.

What is a Smartphone? 

A smartphone is an advanced mobile phone that offers enhanced features beyond basic communication. Smartphones are equipped with high-resolution touchscreens, powerful processors, and a wide range of applications. They provide capabilities such as internet browsing, email, social media access, photography, and app-based services. Smartphones have become an integral part of modern life, serving various purposes beyond communication.

What is a Travel Visa?

A travel visa is an official authorization issued by a country’s government that allows a foreigner to enter, stay in, or leave that country for a specified period and purpose. Travel visas are typically placed in the traveler’s passport and may have various categories, such as tourist visas, business visas, student visas, or work visas. They serve to regulate and monitor the movement of foreign nationals across international borders.

What is a Travel Document?

A travel visa is an official authorization issued by a country’s government that allows a foreigner to enter, stay in, or leave that country for a specified period and purpose. Travel visas are typically placed in the traveler’s passport and may have various categories, such as tourist visas, business visas, student visas, or work visas. They serve to regulate and monitor the movement of foreign nationals across international borders.                                

What is Border Control?

Border control, as the term implies, encompasses a comprehensive system of measures and protocols put in place by a country’s government to manage and supervise the movement of people, goods, and vehicles across its international boundaries. The primary objectives that underpin border control encompass the realms of national security assurance, the enforcement of immigration statutes, the prevention of unlawful activities like smuggling and trafficking, and the facilitation of lawful movements of both travelers and trade. Border control encompasses a spectrum of activities, including but not limited to immigration inspections, customs checks, security screenings, and document verifications aimed at confirming the identity and eligibility of individuals and the legitimacy of goods entering or departing from a nation.

What is a Biometric Passport?

A biometric passport, sometimes known as an ePassport or a passport enhanced with biometric capabilities, represents an advanced iteration of the traditional passport. This modern passport incorporates a microprocessor chip that stores biometric information pertaining to the passport holder. The incorporation of biometric data, such as a facial image, fingerprints, and occasionally iris scans, is designed to heighten security measures and minimize the risk of passport fraud and identity theft. These features enhance authentication levels and make it significantly more challenging to counterfeit or tamper with the passport. Biometric passports hold international recognition and adhere to stringent standards established by organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

What is Immigration Law?

Immigration law, within the legal sphere, constitutes a specialized domain governing the entry, residency, and mobility of foreign nationals within the confines of a nation’s borders. This legal framework encompasses an extensive array of legal tenets, principles, and regulations dictating who may enter a country, the conditions governing their entry, their rights and obligations, and the procedural intricacies related to the acquisition of visas, permits, and citizenship.g the orderly flow of people across borders while safeguarding national interests.

What is Permanent Residency?

 Permanent residency, alternatively known as permanent resident status or colloquially as a green card (in the context of the United States), represents a legally recognized immigration status that grants foreign nationals the privilege to reside and work in a country without a predetermined time limit. Typically, permanent residents enjoy most of the same rights and privileges as citizens, including unrestricted residence and employment within the country. However, they may not possess the right to participate in national elections and could be subject to specific limitations regarding their eligibility for government benefits. Permanent residency may be achieved through various avenues, such as family sponsorship, employment-based sponsorship, investment, or humanitarian considerations, contingent upon the immigration laws of the respective country.

What is a Certificate of Identity?

 A certificate of identity (CI), under its designation, is a travel document issued by a nation’s government to a non-citizen, often referred to as an alien, who resides within its borders but encounters statelessness or an inability to procure a passport from their country of nationality. These certificates typically serve individuals facing exceptional circumstances, such as statelessness or the inability to obtain official documentation from their home nation. A certificate of identity operates as an alternative travel document, enabling the bearer to navigate international border crossings in compliance with established immigration regulations. It stands apart from the conventional passport and is conferred under specific conditions to individuals in need of travel documentation.

What is a Passport Stamp?

A passport stamp, commonly known as a “stamp,” refers to an official endorsement or impression imprinted onto a traveler’s passport by immigration authorities or border control officers upon entry into or exit from a country. These passport stamps serve as an official record of the traveler’s border crossings, used for tracking and verifying the individual’s immigration history and compliance with entry and exit requirements.

Sources

The law that regulates country passports in India is the Passports Act, 1967. This act was enacted by the Parliament of India to provide for the issue of passports and travel documents, to regulate the departure from India of citizens of India and other persons and for matters incidental or ancillary thereto.

The Passports Act, 1967 defines a passport as “a travel document issued by or under the authority of the Government of India which satisfies the conditions prescribed under the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 (34 of 1920), in respect of the class of passports to which it belongs.”

The Passports Act, 1967 also prescribes the various types of passports that can be issued, such as Ordinary Passports, Diplomatic Passports, and Official Passports. The act also sets out the eligibility criteria for obtaining a passport, the procedure for applying for a passport, and the fees that are payable.

The Passports Act, 1967 is administered by the Passport Office of India, which is a department of the Ministry of External Affairs. The Passport Office of India is responsible for issuing passports to Indian citizens and other persons who are eligible to obtain a passport under the Passports Act, 1967.

The Passports Act, 1967 is an important piece of legislation that regulates the issuance of passports in India. The act ensures that passports are issued only to eligible persons and that they are used for legitimate purposes. The act also helps to protect the interests of Indian citizens and other persons who travel abroad.

Also See

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photo_identification

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_document
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selfie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_photography

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_printing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_(business)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel_visa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_visa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel_document

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_control

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_law

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residency

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certificate_of_identity

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passport_stamp

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Wences Orcales
Written by

Wences has been working home-based for 7 years in the Visa industry. As a content writer in Visas for Future, she makes sure the information she provides is useful for her readers. Once a quarter she does visa fulfillment for Turkey and India visas. She makes sure that clients are satisfied with their orders through customer service. She loves learning new things and hates procrastination.

Glen Vidania
Managed by Glen Vidania

Glen Vidania is the Content Manager at Visas for Future, a company that offers online visa services for eco-friendly travelers. He is a certified Content Marketer and an experienced academic writer. He writes and promotes content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the readers. He had work experience and gained skills in writing articles, data entry, SEO email marketing, and guest posting. He is also an expert in applying for visas for Turkey and India.

Glen Vidania
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MLA Style

Orcales, Wences. "Indian passport photo format." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/indian-passport-photo-format/. Accessed on 18 September 2023.

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Orcales, Wences. "Indian passport photo format." Visas For Future. September 18, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/indian-passport-photo-format/.

Published: 18 Sep 2023 15:45 UTC

Last modified: 21 Mar 2024 11:41 UTC

Reading time: 21 minutes

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