Quick answer
What are the OCI photo requirements?
The Ministry of Home Affairs OCI portal asks for a square photo at least 51 × 51 mm with the face covering 80%, 200 × 200 to 900 × 900 pixels, on a plain light-coloured background without a border. The photo and signature must be JPEG or JPG files of up to 200 KB.
An OCI photo is square, at least 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inches), with the face covering 80%, on a plain light-coloured background without a border. Online it must be 200 × 200 to 900 × 900 pixels, and the photo and signature are each a JPEG or JPG of up to 200 KB. The OCI FAQs say the background should be light, not white.
These rules come from the Ministry of Home Affairs OCI services portal, ociservices.gov.in, its photo specification PDF, and the Embassy of India in Bern's OCI guidelines. They apply to new registrations, PIO-to-OCI conversions and miscellaneous services such as passport updates.
OCI photo and signature upload specs
| Shape | Square: height and width must be equal |
|---|---|
| Size | At least 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inches) |
| Pixels | Minimum 200 × 200, maximum 900 × 900 |
| File | JPEG or JPG, up to 200 KB |
| Face | About 80% of the photo, full face in the middle, front view of head and shoulders |
| Head height | 25–35 mm (1 to 1⅜ inches) from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, per the photo specification |
| Background | Plain light colour, not white, with no border |
| Signature | JPEG or JPG, up to 200 KB; left-hand thumb impression for minors who cannot sign |
Rejected photos delay applications
The OCI FAQs warn that photos that do not meet the standards will be rejected and may delay processing. Fees are listed in the same FAQs; in October 2026 they gave US$275 per applicant for a new OCI registration.
Background: light, not white
The sources disagree
The OCI FAQs ask for a "plain light color background (not white)". The ministry's own photo specification PDF says only "plain light colored background", and the Embassy of India in Bern asks for printed photos with "a white or light coloured background". An off-white, cream or very light grey wall meets all three.
This differs from Indian passport photos, which must have a white background. If you are applying for an Indian passport and an OCI card for different family members, make separate photos.
OCI photo rules
The photo specification, based on ISO and ICAO standards, asks for:
Do
- A colour photo, full face, front view, eyes open
- The full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, centred
- Even, balanced lighting and a natural expression
- Natural skin tones with correct brightness and contrast
Don't
- Shadows on the face or background
- Tinted glasses, or head coverings other than for religious reasons
- A tilted or turned head
- Retouching, softening or enhancing the photo
Head coverings are allowed only for religious reasons, with the face visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face showing. For children, the specification relaxes some rules, for example a baby under one does not need to have eyes open.
Printed photos for Indian missions
After you submit the application online with the photo, signature and documents, the OCI FAQs say you take only the originals of your supporting documents to the Indian mission, post or FRRO for verification. Some missions still ask for prints: the Embassy of India in Bern asks for two latest colour photos of 51 × 51 mm, 80% face coverage, no border, with a white or light-coloured background, attached to the printed application. Check your own mission's checklist.
New passport, new photo
| New passport up to age 20 | Upload the new passport and a latest photo online each time (OCI Miscellaneous Services) |
|---|---|
| New passport after age 20 | The OCI card is re-issued once, when a new passport is issued after age 20 |
| After age 50 | Upload the new passport and a latest photo once |
| Foreign spouses | Upload the new passport and a latest photo each time a new passport is issued |
| Time limit | Within three months of receiving the new passport |
| Fee and timing | Uploads are free (gratis) and take around 4 to 5 weeks, per the Bern guidelines |
The e-OCI card, a downloadable electronic version of your OCI card, uses the particulars in your OCI record, so it shows updated details only after an update request has been approved.
Sample photos
Samples show pose and background. Crop your OCI photo to a square.
How to make your OCI photo
- Use a light, plain wall. Stand in front of a plain off-white or very light grey wall, in even light with no shadows, facing the camera with your eyes open.
- Crop it to a square. Crop so height and width are equal, with your face filling about 80% and your head and shoulders centred, with no border.
- Resize and save. Resize to between 200 × 200 and 900 × 900 pixels and save as a JPEG under 200 KB. Scan your signature as a JPEG under 200 KB too. If the file is not a JPG, such as a HEIC photo from an iPhone, convert it with the free 123PhotoTool JPEG converter.
- Upload on the OCI portal. Upload both on ociservices.gov.in with your documents, and print 51 × 51 mm copies if your mission asks for them.
OCI photo FAQ
The OCI FAQs say the photo must be square, at least 200 × 200 pixels and at most 900 × 900 pixels, as a JPEG or JPG of up to 200 KB. The printed equivalent is at least 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inches).
The Ministry of Home Affairs OCI FAQs say "plain light color background (not white)". The ministry's photo specification PDF only says plain light-coloured, and the Embassy of India in Bern accepts white or light-coloured for printed photos. To be safe, use an off-white or very light grey wall, not bright white.
The OCI FAQs give the format and size for both images: JPEG or JPG, up to 200 KB. Minors who cannot sign give a left-hand thumb impression instead.
Under the revised re-issue guidelines, you upload a copy of the new passport and a latest photo online each time a new passport is issued up to age 20, and once after age 50. The card itself is re-issued only once, when a new passport is issued after you turn 20.
PIO cardholders apply online for OCI registration in lieu of a valid PIO card, uploading a photo and signature that meet the same OCI specifications, according to the Embassy of India in Bern.
We found no official source for a 35 × 35 mm OCI photo. The OCI FAQs, the photo specification and the Bern guidelines all give 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inches).
Official sources
- Ministry of Home Affairs: OCI FAQs (question 9, photo specifications)
- Ministry of Home Affairs: Requirement of photograph for OCI registration (PDF)
- Ministry of Home Affairs: e-OCI card FAQs
- Embassy of India, Bern: General instructions for new OCI registration (PDF)
- Embassy of India, Bern: Revised guidelines for re-issue of OCI cards (PDF)
- Embassy of India, Bern: Instructions for conversion of PIO card to OCI card (PDF)
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.