Quick answer
What photo does e-FRRO need?
The Bureau of Immigration's e-FRRO portal asks for a passport-size JPG photo, 3.5 × 3.5 cm or 3.5 × 4.5 cm, up to 1 MB, showing the full face from the front with eyes open, on a plain light or white background with no shadows or borders. Photos edited with software or apps are rejected.
The e-FRRO photo is a JPG of up to 1 MB, in passport size, 3.5 × 3.5 cm or 3.5 × 4.5 cm, showing your full face from the front with eyes open, centred from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, on a plain light-coloured or white background with no shadows or borders. Photos edited with Photoshop or any app are rejected.
e-FRRO is the Bureau of Immigration's online service for foreigners in India, used for registration, visa extensions, conversions, exit permits and other visa services. The photo rules below are from the portal's photo and document requirements.
e-FRRO photo requirements
| Format | JPG |
|---|---|
| File size | Up to 1 MB |
| Size | Passport size: 3.5 × 3.5 cm or 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Face | Full face, front view, eyes open |
| Framing | Head centred, full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin; photo portion only, no borders |
| Background | Plain light-coloured or white |
| Not accepted | Shadows, tilted, distorted or blurred photos, and photos edited or modified with any software or mobile app |
| Documents | Scanned PDFs, up to 1 MB each |
No edited photos
The portal says photos edited or modified with Photoshop, other software or mobile apps will be rejected. Crop and resize only; do not remove the background, smooth skin or apply filters.
The portal also says to bring the same photo with the application form if you are asked to visit an FRRO or FRO office.
Who needs to register
The Bureau of Immigration says any foreigner entering India on any type of visa, except holders of diplomatic or official passports, must register with the FRRO or FRO concerned if their aggregate stay in a calendar year, or their continuous stay on each entry, is more than 180 days. Indian nationals in India who acquire a foreign nationality apply for visa services on the portal within 30 days.
OCI cardholders do not use e-FRRO for their OCI photo: see OCI photo requirements.
Diplomatic and official passport holders
Foreign nationals with diplomatic, official or service passports already in India can apply for visa services on the same portal. Their instructions ask for a recent front-facing photo of 3.5 × 3.5 cm with a clear light background, and scanned PDFs of less than 200 KB.
Sample photos
Samples show pose and background. Crop your own photo to 3.5 × 3.5 cm or 3.5 × 4.5 cm.
How to prepare your e-FRRO photo
- Take a new photo against a plain wall. Stand in front of a plain light or white wall in even light, facing the camera with your eyes open and no shadows.
- Crop, do not edit. Crop to 3.5 × 3.5 cm or 3.5 × 4.5 cm with your head centred and no border. Do not remove the background or apply filters.
- Save a JPG under 1 MB. Save the photo as a JPG of up to 1 MB, and scan the documents the portal lists for your service as PDFs of up to 1 MB each. If the file is not a JPG, such as a HEIC photo from an iPhone, convert it with the free 123PhotoTool JPEG converter.
- Upload it on e-FRRO. Submit the online application first, then upload the photo and documents, and keep the same photo in case you are asked to visit the office.
e-FRRO photo FAQ
The e-FRRO portal asks for a passport-size photo of 3.5 × 3.5 cm or 3.5 × 4.5 cm, uploaded as a JPG of up to 1 MB. Upload the photo portion only, without borders.
No. The portal says photographs edited or modified with Photoshop or any other software or mobile app will be rejected. Take the photo against a plain light or white wall instead.
The Bureau of Immigration says foreigners entering India on any visa (except diplomatic or official passport holders) must register with the FRRO or FRO concerned if their aggregate stay in a calendar year, or their continuous stay on one entry, exceeds 180 days.
Scanned documents are PDFs, with a maximum of 1 MB for each PDF on the general e-FRRO services. A single supporting document can be split over several PDFs.
Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports already in India apply for visa services through the same portal, which asks them for a recent front-facing 3.5 × 3.5 cm photo with a clear light background, and PDFs under 200 KB.
Official sources
Last checked . Requirements and fees can change, so always confirm with the issuing agency before you apply. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency.