Indian OCI card photo photo requirements

The OCI application takes a square digital photo and a signature image uploaded to the OCI Services portal, then two printed 2×2 inch photos lodged with the form. The uploaded photo must be a square JPEG between 200×200 and 900×900 pixels and under 200 kilobytes, on a light-coloured background that is not white, with no spectacles. The not-white rule is the one that trips up applicants reusing a passport photo.

Make and check a Indian OCI photo Free checker; files from A$6.99.

Can I take it myself? Yes

Yes. OCI applications are lodged through VFS or BLS centres who accept any compliant photo, and the portal's own check is about format and size. Shoot against a light-blue or light-grey wall rather than white. Because Indian guidance permits a plain background produced by any means, the tool offers an opt-in replacement for this document that uses a light grey rather than white, matching the OCI rule.

How to take the photo

1. Use a light-blue, light-grey or cream wall, not white. Stand half a metre in front of it so there is no shadow behind your head.
2. Light from a window in front of you, no flash. Even light on both sides of the face.
3. Someone else takes the photo from about 1.2 metres at eye level with the shoulders in frame; the tool crops to the square.
4. Remove spectacles; the OCI guidance asks for the photo without them. No hats or head coverings except religious ones that show the whole face.
5. Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight ahead, both ears visible if your hair allows.
6. Wear a top that contrasts with the light background; avoid pale colours and white.

Why Indian OCI photos get rejected

1. White background. OCI wants a light colour that is not white. Retake against light blue or grey, or use the permitted light-grey replacement for this document.
2. File over 200 KB or not square. Use the OCI preset here; it exports 900×900 under 200 KB.
3. Spectacles. Remove them.
4. Head too small in the square. Head 50–70 per cent of the height; the checker reports 25–35 mm on the 2×2 frame.
5. Printed photos do not match the uploaded one. Print the 2×2 photos from the same crop; centres compare them.
6. Shadow or uneven background. Light from the front and step away from the wall.
7. Signature image rejected. Sign in black ink on white paper, photograph straight on and crop to the signature; the portal wants a small JPEG under its limit.

Infants and children

Babies and children need their own OCI application and photo. Lay the baby on a plain light-blue or grey sheet, not white, and photograph from above with the face fully visible, nothing in the mouth and no hands in frame. The portal's check is lenient on expression for infants but still wants the full face and the light non-white background. A thumb impression replaces the signature for young children.

Step by step: OCI Services online application

1. Register on OCI Services, fill in Part A and Part B of the application and reach the upload step.
2. Upload the square OCI JPEG from this tool as the photograph. The portal checks the pixel range, the square shape and the 200 KB limit.
3. Upload the signature image (or a thumb impression for a child) as a separate small JPEG.
4. Print the completed form, attach two printed 2×2 inch photos from the same crop, and lodge it with your documents at the VFS or BLS centre.

Open OCI Services online application

What it costs

VFS and BLS centres charge A$15–25 or £10–15 for photos on site. Our Single licence is A$6.99 (₹249 in India) for the upload file and the 2×2 inch print sheet for 30 days. If you also need an Indian passport or e-Visa photo for the same person, the Pass covers every document.