Indian OCI Card Photo in the US
51 × 51 mm · white background · Ministry of Home Affairs (OCI Services)
$8.99 digital file
Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy
Rules last checked against Ministry of Home Affairs (OCI Services) on 12 October 2026.
About this photo
An Indian OCI Card application, handled by the Ministry of Home Affairs (OCI Services), needs a square photo of 51 by 51 mm, the familiar two by two inch format. The online portal ociservices.gov.in expects a JPEG between 200 by 200 and 900 by 900 pixels and no larger than 200 KB, so a straight phone picture is too heavy to upload. Your head should fill half to seventy per cent of the frame on a plain or white background with no border and even lighting. Removing glasses is recommended; if you keep them, there must be no tint and no glare. Look straight at the camera and keep the photo free of filters.
Photo requirements
| Photo size | 51 × 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Digital file | JPEG, at least 200 × 200 pixels, up to 195 KB, for ociservices.gov.in |
| Background | white, also accepted: plain light colour |
| Head size | 50–70% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses | Allowed. No tinted or dark glasses; no glare; frames must not cover the eyes. |
| Head coverings | Allowed for religious reasons. Religious head coverings only; the face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown. |
| Head position | Facing the camera, tilted no more than 10° |
| Other rules | Colour, 2 x 2 inch (51 x 51 mm), full face, front view, eyes open; Full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, centred; No distracting shadows on the face or background; Not retouched, enhanced or softened; Natural expression; Babies under one year do not need to have their eyes open |
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 OCI Card photos
What size is an Indian OCI Card photo?
Indian OCI Card photos are 51 × 51 mm. The head should fill 50–70% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).
What background does an Indian OCI Card photo need?
A plain white background (plain light colour is also accepted), 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 OCI Card photo?
Yes. No tinted or dark glasses; no glare; frames must not cover the eyes.
Can I smile in an Indian OCI Card 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; the face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown.
Can I take an Indian OCI Card 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 Home Affairs (OCI Services). 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, at least 200 × 200 pixels, up to 195 KB, for ociservices.gov.in. Your download is prepared to these settings.
How much does an Indian OCI Card photo cost in the US?
$8.99 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 Home Affairs (OCI Services)
Read the rules on the authority's website: Ministry of Home Affairs (OCI Services) (ociservices.gov.in).
Rules last checked against Ministry of Home Affairs (OCI Services) on 12 October 2026.
Related pages
More photos in the US
- Indian Passport photo · 35 × 45 mm
- Indian Driving Licence photo · 35 × 45 mm
- Indian PAN Card photo · 25 × 35 mm
- Indian Surrender Certificate photo · 35 × 45 mm
- Indian Visa photo · 51 × 51 mm
- Indian Voter ID (EPIC) photo · 35 × 45 mm