OCI Photos (Overseas Citizenship of India)
Important Announcement by Govt of India (November 4, 2020) : The Indian Embassy at Washington DC, US has started accepting 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 November 4, 2020. |
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? (Note: Costco no longer offers Passport photos in their stores!)Both are in 2x2 inch (51x51mm) size but have some material difference..
USA Passport Photo | OCI Photo |
White background. Between 50-67% face height |
OCI photos require a colored background (they spefically ask for non-white). Aaround 80% face coverage |
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Digital Photo and Digital Signature upload on Govt of India/MHA website:
Our full OCI package for $12 includes digital as well as printed OCI photos for "Overseas Citizenship
of India" applicants. Recently, OCI Application has started asking for a digital photo in jpg or jpeg format. It also requires a digital image of signature or thumb impression. We can help you with both and, also printed photos.
You can order only Digital Images or Printed photos for $8.95. Or order both (full bundle of digital images for photo & signature and 6 printed photos) for only $12.95.
OCI Digital Images Upload: Applicant's image and Applicant's signature image (Max size 200kb).
(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).
Printed Photos: You can pick up printed photos at Walgreens or CVS store within one business day (usually within few hours..(Please avoid Walmart stores for printing as they print online orders on Matte/semi-glossy paper).
Digital Images:
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 Background Confusion: White or Colored?
Good News : VFS Global and Government of India- Ministry of Home Affairs- OCI now no longer have conflicting specs for OCI photos. VFS asks for white/plain light (pale) background for the photos while Govt of India, Ministry of Home Affairs asks specifically for color (non-white) background. By default,we will create your OCI photos with light (pale) blue background so they are likely to be accepted by VFS as well OCI office..
Here are the MHA/Official OCI specs:

VFS Global OCI Photo specs:
Full specs on VFS.com: https://services.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/india/united-states-of-america/oci-services/pdf/oci-checklist-misc-adult-final.pdfGovernment of India's OCI Services website:
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.
OCI Photo Head Size Confusion: 50-65% or 70-80%?
This is another confusing matter for OCI Photos.. Sample photos show coverage by the face of around 60-65%. However, the Government of India website mentions 80% coverage, as you can see above!
We make photos of the average specs.
We can say one thing that photos we have created for OCI for our customers hasve almost 0% rejection rate so order confidently with us.
Photograph requirements are on this link. Click here. (Detailed specs on this link: https://ociservices.gov.in/Photo-Spec-FINAL.pdf)
OCI Photos- Detailed 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.
DIGITAL PHOTO/IMAGE 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 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.