Indian Passport Photo in the UK
35 × 45 mm · white background · Ministry of External Affairs (Passport Seva / Indian missions)
£6.99 digital file
Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy
Rules last checked against Ministry of External Affairs (Passport Seva / Indian missions) on 12 October 2026.
About this photo
Renewing an Indian Passport at an Indian mission abroad? Since 1 December 2025 the Ministry of External Affairs (Passport Seva) asks for an ICAO-compliant colour photo, 35 by 45 mm on paper, with a plain white background and your face filling about 80 to 85 per cent of the picture. For the online form the upload is a JPEG of 630 by 810 pixels and at most 250 KB, far smaller than a phone photo. Printed copies should come from the same picture as the upload. Glasses must come off to avoid reflections, and keep your head level, mouth closed and no shadows across your face.
Photo requirements
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Digital file | JPEG, up to 244 KB, for Global Passport Seva Portal 2.0 |
| Background | white |
| Head size | 80–85% of the photo height (36–38 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Head coverings | Allowed for religious reasons. Religious head coverings only (including turbans); the face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly visible. |
| Head position | Facing the camera, tilted no more than 10° |
| Other rules | Colour photo, unaltered by computer software; Look directly at the camera, head not tilted; Eyes open and clearly visible, no hair across the eyes; Uniform lighting, no shadows, flash reflections or red eye; Full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, centred; Natural expression, mouth closed |
Do
Don't
How it works
1. Take or upload a photo
Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.
2. We size and check it
We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.
3. Download and use it
Pay once, then download the digital file and the print sheet straight away.
If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.
Questions about Indian Passport photos
What size is an Indian Passport photo?
Indian Passport photos are 35 × 45 mm. The head should fill 80–85% of the photo height (36–38 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).
What background does an Indian Passport photo need?
A plain white background, with no shadows, patterns or objects. We replace the background for you, but a plain wall gives the cleanest edges around your hair.
Can I wear glasses in an Indian Passport photo?
No. Glasses are not allowed in Indian Passport photos. Glasses must be taken off to avoid reflections.
Can I smile in an Indian Passport photo?
No. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and your eyes open.
Can I wear a head covering?
Allowed for religious reasons. Religious head coverings only (including turbans); the face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly visible.
Can I take an Indian Passport photo at home?
Usually, yes, as long as it meets the rules above. Check the instructions for your application route, because final acceptance is always decided by Ministry of External Affairs (Passport Seva / Indian missions). PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.
What file does the online application need?
A digital photo file: JPEG, up to 244 KB, for Global Passport Seva Portal 2.0. Your download is prepared to these settings.
How much does an Indian Passport photo cost in the UK?
£6.99 for the digital file, paid once. It includes a print-at-home sheet you can print at any photo shop.
What if something is wrong with my photo?
If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.
Official source: Ministry of External Affairs (Passport Seva / Indian missions)
Read the rules on the authority's website: Ministry of External Affairs (Passport Seva / Indian missions) (indembassybern.gov.in).
Rules last checked against Ministry of External Affairs (Passport Seva / Indian missions) on 12 October 2026.
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