OCI Photos (Overseas Citizenship of India)
Important Announcement by Govt of India (November 4, 2020) : The Indian Embassy at Washington DC, US will accept online applications for visa, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), renunciation, passport and Global Entry Programme (GEP) services through a new service provider, VFS Global, with effect from today (November 4). The Embassy release stated, "With effect from 4 November 2020 (12:01 AM Eastern Standard Time), Embassy of India, Washington DC will accept online applications for OCI, Renunciation, Passport and GEP services through new service provider, VFS Global." |
OCI Photo vs USA Passport Photo:
Are OCI photos same as US Passport photos that we get from a local store like Costco, Walgreens or CVS?
Both are in 2x2 inch (51x51mm) size but have some material difference..
USA Passport Photo OCI Photo White background.
Between 50-67% face heightOCI photos require a colored background (they spefically ask for non-white)
and around 80% face coverage
Note: VFS Global and Government of India- Ministry of Home Affairs- OCI have conflicting specs for OCI photos. VFS asks for white background for the photos while Govt of India, Ministry of Home Affairs asks specifically for color (non-white) background. By default,we use GoI official specs to create your OCI photos and make the background a very light blue so they are likely to be accepted by VFS too.. If you want photos as per VFS specs in white background, please email or contact us and let us know.
Here are the MHA specs::
We provide digital as well as printed OCI photos for "Overseas Citizenship of India" applicants. Recently, Indian consulates have started asking for a digital photo in jpg or jpeg. They also require a digital image of signature or thumb impression. You can scan or take a photo of it and we will format it as per OCI requirements so you can upload them with your online OCI application. We can also provide you printed photos.
OCI Digital Images Upload: Applicant's image and Applicant's signature image (Max size 500kb).
(Page 6 on this link: https://www.mha.gov.in/PDF_Other/2OCIcardholder_Brochure_15112019.pdf)
- The height and width of the Applicant Photo must be equal.
- The minimum dimensions are 200 pixels (width) x 200 pixels (height).
- The maximum dimensions are 1500 pixels (width) x 1500 pixels (height).
- The height and width of the Signature Photo must have aspect ratio 1:3
- The minimum dimensions are 200 pixels (width) x 67 pixels (height).
- The maximum dimensions are 1500 pixels (width) x 500 pixels (height).
If you want only the printed photos, we will provide you 6 photos per person for $8. If you want ONLY the digital images of the photo AND signature/thumb impression, you can order the digital package only for $8. If you want all 3- digital images for photo & signature PLUS 6 printed photos- you can order combo for only $11.95. Please select the appropriate package in the PayPal checkout below.
For printed photos, please include the address of your local Walgreens, CVS or Target store so you can get photos generally within one business day. (As OCI requires photos on Glossy photo paper, please do not use Walmart store for printing as they print online orders on Matte/semi-glossy paper). We will email back digital images as fill attachments usually within few hours but within 24 hours at most on business days.
2 simple steps:
1. Click
here to upload your photos or email them to 
2. Make Payment: Pay with PayPal:
OCI Photo Requirement
On the Government of India website, they have the following specs.
Photograph to be affixed on the application should be a square shape of size not less than 51*51mm (with 80% coverage of face). It should have plain light color background (not white) without the border with front view of person's head and shoulders showing the full face in middle of the photograph. It should not be stapled and not have any signature.
These specs contrast with the websites of Consulates of India in the USA. Their specs ask for white background. Also, the sample photos show White background. Plus, sample photos show coverage by the face of around 60%. However, the Government of India website mentions 80% coverage!
We make photos of the average specs. We don't know which specs are accurate, the Govt of India website or Consulates/CKGS, but we can say one thing that photos we have created for OCI for our customers has almost 0% rejection rate so deal confidently with us.
Photograph requirements are on this link. Click here. (Detailed specs on this link: https://ociservices.gov.in/Photo-Spec-FINAL.pdf)
Photo Specifications
- Photograph for OCI cannot be the same photograph that is already in your passport
- Recent Passport photo taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
- The photograph to be affixed on the application should be square-shaped OR 2 inches by 2 inches size (80% coverage of face)
- Photographs NOT to be stapled and must NOT be adhesive taped.
- Must be in color.
- Must be against a white background.
- Must show a full face, front view.
- Must be taken in normal street attire.
- The photograph must be taken in a colored attire, for example, a medium blue shirt etc.
- The attire should not be patterned/textured or pure white.
- The photograph has to be an original and printed on GLOSSY PHOTO PAPER ONLY.
- Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
- If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
- Dark glasses or non-prescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.
- Glare on eyeglasses should be avoided with a slight upward or downward tilt of the head.
- Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline. Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons, but the facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown.
PHOTO UPLOAD
- It should be in JPEG/JPG format only
- Max size should 200kb
- Height and width must be equal
- The minimum dimensions are 200 pixels (width) x 200 pixels (height).
- Square shape of size not less than 51mm x 51mm or 2 inches x 2 inches (with 80% coverage of face)
- The maximum dimensions are 900 pixels (width) x 900 pixels (height).
SIGNATURE UPLOAD
- It should be in JPEG/JPG format only
- Max size should 200kb
- The height and width of the Signature Photo must have aspect ratio 1:3
- The minimum dimensions are 200 pixels (width) x 67 pixels (height)
- The maximum dimensions are 900 pixels (width) x 300 pixels (height).
OCI Photo size requirement from the Master source- Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India
The photograph to be affixed on the application should be of square shape of size not less than 51*51mm (with 80% coverage by face). It should have light color background (not white) without border with the front view of the person’s head and shoulders showing the full face in the middle of the photograph. Photographs that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and may cause a delay in processing the applications.
OCI Photos - Customer Feedback
Hi,
Thank you very much for your thorough and expedited service with visa photos for my family. I just want to let you know that I must have visited about 10 stores including 3 Walgreens and 7 CVS and no one could do the 35mm x 35mm photos for me. I am glad I found your website; your service and follow up have been superb.I have already recommended your services to two Indians today who are looking for visa photos.
Thanks!
Rome
Thu 11/12/09 6:44 PM
I received the photos they look great!
Great service! Very impressed.Customer: Leena Joshi
Mon 8/17/09 8:46 PM
OCI Photo specs Indian HIgh Commision in New Zealand
If you are applying to New Zealand High Commision of India (section 6), they want 51x51mm photos on colored background. After placing your order, email us and let us know that you need OCI photos for Indian High Commission in New Zealand.