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India eVisa Photo Requirements

Updated on Apr 09, 2024 | Online Indian Visa

To obtain an eTourist, eMedical, or eBusiness Visa for India, travelers need to submit a digital scan of their passport's bio page and a recent photograph that adheres to specific criteria. This post will describe Indian Visa Photo Requirements so that you have the best chances of getting application approved.

The entire application process for an India e-Visa is conducted online, requiring the digital upload of all documents, including the photograph. This streamlined approach makes accessing India through the e-Visa the most convenient option, eliminating the necessity for applicants to present physical paperwork at an embassy or consulate.

Acquiring an e-Visa for India is a straightforward process if applicants meet the eligibility conditions and document requirements stipulated by the Indian Government. Among the necessary documents for the application is a digital copy of a passport-sized photograph depicting the applicant's face. This facial photograph is a mandatory component for all types of Indian e-Visas, whether it be the Tourist e-Visa for India, the Business e-Visa for India, the Medical e-Visa for India, or the Medical Attendant e-Visa for India. and also the Conference Visa. Regardless of the specific visa type, applicants must upload a passport-style photo of their face during the online application. This guide provides comprehensive information on all India Visa photo requirements, enabling applicants to easily navigate the online application process for the Indian e-Visa without the need to visit their local Indian Embassy.

Is it required to include a photo in the Indian E-Visa Application?

Indeed, it is mandatory. Every visa application form, irrespective of the type, it is obligatorily for the applicant to submit a picture of themselves. Regardless of the purpose of the applicant's visit to India, a facial photograph consistently stands as a crucial document for the Indian E-Visa application. Indian Visa Photo requirements criteria are outlined below specify the aspects for the photograph to be accepted.

Should the photograph be taken by a professional Photographer?

The phone can be taken by any mobile phone. eVisa is not very strict about the photo being taken by a professional unlike the case is when you order a new Passport.

Most photos are acceptable unless taken by a phone that is more than 10-15 years older.

Specific Requirements

Traveling to India with an electronic visa has become remarkably easy and efficient. Global travelers now opt for the digital visa, which can be swiftly applied for online within minutes.

Prior to initiating the Indian E-Visa application process, prospective applicants need to familiarize themselves with the required documentation. The specific documents vary depending on the type of visa being applied for. Commonly, certain mandatory files must be submitted for almost every type of Indian E-Visa.

When applying for an Indian visa online, applicants must submit all essential documents in electronic format. Physical copies of the documents are not necessary for submission to embassies or similar offices.

Converted into soft copies, the files can be uploaded with the application form in formats such as PDF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, GIF, etc. The applicant is expected to upload these files on the website facilitating the Indian E-Visa application or an online Indian electronic visa service. If you are not able to upload the photo of your face, you can email us at the email address given in the footer of this website or contact our helpful staff who will respond within a day.

If an applicant cannot upload documents in the specified formats, they are permitted to take pictures of the documents and upload them. Devices such as mobile phones, tablets, PCs, professional scanning equipment, and professional cameras can be used to capture images of the required files.

In the essential files list for the Indian E-Visa application, including the Indian E-Visa for Tourists, Business, Conference and Medical purposes, a passport-style image of the applicant is crucial. Therefore, this article provides guidance on the guidelines and specifications for the passport-style photograph, ensuring a successful Indian E-Visa application.

How to Take a Photography for the India e-Visa?

For a successful India e-Visa application, it is vital to submit a digital photograph that adheres to specific criteria. Follow these steps to capture an appropriate image:

  • Locate a well-lit room with a plain white or light-colored background.
  • Remove any face-obscuring items, such as hats and glasses.
  • Ensure the face is unobstructed by hair.
  • Stand approximately half a meter away from the wall.
  • Face the camera directly, ensuring the entire head is visible from the hairline to the chin.
  • Check for shadows on the background or face and eliminate red-eye.
  • Upload the photo during the e-Visa application process.

It's crucial to mention that minors traveling to India need a separate visa application with a digital photograph. Apart from providing an appropriate photo, foreign nationals must fulfill other requirements for an Indian e-Visa, including possessing a passport valid for at least six months from the arrival date, a debit or credit card for fee payment, an active email address, and accurate completion of the e-Visa form with personal and passport details.

Additional documentation may be necessary for e-Business or e-Medical visas. Errors in the application or failure to meet photo specifications may lead to the rejection of the visa application, resulting in travel disruptions.

Important Note: For the India e-Visa application, individuals have the option to provide either a color or black-and-white image, but it is crucial that the photograph accurately reflects the applicant's features, irrespective of its color format.

Although the Indian government accepts both color and black-and-white images, a preference is given to color photos due to their tendency to offer more detail and clarity. It is important to emphasize that no alterations should be made to the photograph using computer software.

Criteria for the Background of Indian e-Visa Photos

When capturing an image for an Indian e-Visa, it is imperative to ensure that the background adheres to specific requirements. The background should be plain, light-colored, or white, devoid of any images, decorative wallpaper, or other individuals visible in the frame. The subject should position themselves in front of an unadorned wall and stand approximately half a meter away to avoid casting shadows on the background. Notably, any shadows on the background could lead to the rejection of the photo.

Wearing Eyeglasses in Photos for Indian e-Visa

To ensure the visibility of the applicant's face in the Indian e-Visa photograph, it is crucial to acknowledge that spectacles, including prescription glasses and sunglasses, must be taken off. Moreover, the subject should ensure that their eyes are fully open, and the photo does not exhibit a "red-eye" effect. If such an effect is present, it is recommended to retake the photo rather than attempting to remove it using software. The use of direct flash can induce the "red-eye" effect, making it advisable to refrain from its use.

Guidelines for Facial Expressions in Indian e-Visa Photos

When capturing a photo for an Indian e-Visa, maintaining a specific facial expression is of utmost importance. Smiling is prohibited in the India visa photo, and the subject should maintain a neutral expression with their mouth closed, avoiding the display of teeth. This restriction is in place as smiling may interfere with accurate biometric measurements used for identification purposes. Consequently, an image submitted with an inappropriate facial expression will not be accepted, requiring the applicant to submit a new application.

Wearing Religious Hijab in Indian e-Visa Photos

The Indian government permits the wearing of religious headgear, such as a hijab, in the e-Visa photo, provided that the entire face is visible. It is essential to highlight that only scarves or hats worn for religious purposes are allowed. Any other accessories that partially cover the face must be excluded from the photograph.

File Format and Photo Size

For the applicant's photograph to be accepted, it must adhere to the correct size and file specifications. Failure to meet these requirements may lead to the rejection of the application, necessitating the submission of a new visa application.

The photograph's critical specifications include:

  • Ensure the photo's size falls within the range of 10 KB (minimum) to 1 MB (maximum). If the size exceeds this limit, you may send the photo to info@indiavisa-online.org via email.
  • The image's height and width should be identical, with no cropping allowed.
  • The file format must be JPEG; please be aware that PDF files are not permissible for upload and will be rejected. If you possess content in other formats, you may send it to info@indiavisa-online.org via email.

What Should the photo for Indian e-Visa Look Like?

India Visa Photo Requirements

The Indian Electronic Visa application requires a photograph that is prominently displayed, legible, and free of any blur effects. This photograph serves as a crucial identification document for the applicant, as Immigration Department officers at the airport use it to identify travelers with the Indian E-Visa. The facial features in the photograph must be clearly visible, enabling precise identification amidst other applicants upon arrival in India.

For compliance with Indian Visa Passport Requirements, the uploaded scan copy of the Passport should feature the first (biographical) page. Understanding these requirements is essential for a successful Indian e-Visa Passport application.

Regarding the specifications of the photograph for the Indian E-Visa Application, it must:

  • Measure 350×350 pixels, as mandated by Indian authorities
  • Both the height and width of the image must be identical, translating to approximately two inches. Adhering to this compulsory specification ensures a standardized approach for every Indian E-Visa application.
  • Additionally, the face of the applicant should occupy fifty to sixty percent of the photograph.

How to Upload the Photo onto the Indian e-Visa?

After completing the essential stages of the Indian E-Visa application, involving the filling of the application questionnaire and payment of Visa fees, applicants will receive a link to submit their photograph. To initiate this process, applicants are required to click the 'Browse Button' and proceed with uploading the image for the Indian electronic Visa application on the provided link.

There are two methods for submitting the image.

  • The initial approach involves direct upload on the website facilitating the Indian E-Visa application.
  • Alternatively, applicants may choose the second option, which entails sending the image via email to the service.

When attaching the image directly through the website link, it's important to ensure that the file size does not exceed 6 MB. If the image file surpasses this specified size, it can alternatively be sent via email.

Indian e-Visa Photo Do’s and Don’ts

Dos:

  • Ensure the portrait orientation of the image.
  • Capture the image under consistent lighting conditions.
  • Maintain a natural tone in the image.
  • Avoid utilizing photo editing tools.
  • Ensure the image is free from blurriness.
  • Refrain from enhancing the image with specialized equipment.
  • Utilize a plain white background for the image.
  • Have the applicant wear simple plain-patterned garments.
  • Focus solely on the face of the applicant in the image.
  • Present the front view of the applicant's face.
  • Depict the applicant with open eyes and a closed mouth.
  • Ensure the full visibility of the applicant's face, with hair tucked behind the ear.
  • Position the applicant's face centrally in the image.
  • Prohibit the use of hats, turbans, or sunglasses; normal glasses are acceptable.
  • Ensure clear visibility of the applicant's eyes without any flash effects.
  • Expose the hairline and chin when wearing scarves, hijab, or religious head coverings.

Don'ts:

  • Avoid using landscape mode for the applicant's image.
  • Eliminate shadow effects in the image.
  • Steer clear of bright and vibrant color tones in the image.
  • Refrain from employing image editing tools.
  • Prevent blurriness in the applicant's photo.
  • Avoid enhancing the image with editing software.
  • Eliminate complex backgrounds in the image.
  • Deter from incorporating complex and colorful patterns in the applicant's attire.
  • Exclude any other individuals in the photo with the applicant.
  • Omit side views of the applicant's face in the image.
  • Avoid images with an open mouth and/or closed eyes.
  • Eliminate obstructions to facial features, such as hair falling in front of the eyes.
  • Position the applicant's face in the center, not on the side of the photograph.
  • Discourage the use of sunglasses in the applicant's image.
  • Eliminate flash, glare, or blur caused by the applicant's spectacles.
  • Ensure the visibility of the hairline and chin when wearing scarves or similar garments.

Is it necessary to have the photograph taken by a professional for the Indian E-Visa application?

No, there is no requirement for a professionally taken photograph in the Indian E-Visa application. Applicants need not visit a photo studio or seek professional assistance.

Many help desks of Indian E-Visa services possess the capability to edit the images submitted by applicants. They can refine the images to align with the specifications and guidelines stipulated by Indian authorities.

If you fulfill the specified criteria for Indian Visa photos and satisfy additional eligibility conditions, along with possessing the necessary documents, you can effortlessly submit your application for the Indian Visa. The application form for the Indian Visa is uncomplicated and straightforward. You should encounter no challenges in the application process or in obtaining the Indian Visa. Should you have any uncertainties regarding the photo requirements or the passport photo size for the Indian Visa, or if you need assistance or clarification on any other matter, feel free to reach out to the India e Visa Help Desk.

EXPLORE MORE:
This page provides a comprehensive, authoritative guide to all the prerequisites for the Indian e-Visa. It covers all the required documents and offers essential information to consider before initiating the Indian e-Visa application. Gain insights into the document requirements for the Indian e-Visa.


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