Passport Photo Size Guide: India & Other Countries (2026)

The exact millimeter, pixel, and DPI specs — and why "2x2 inch" is the most common mistake Indian applicants make.

Updated 2026 · Reference guide

If you've searched for "Indian passport photo size" online, you've probably seen two different answers: 2×2 inch (51×51mm) and 35×45mm. Only one of these is correct for an actual Indian passport application — and mixing them up is one of the most common reasons photos get rejected at a Passport Seva Kendra.

Quick answer: For an Indian passport (new, renewal, or reissue), the correct size is 35mm × 45mm (3.5cm × 4.5cm), digitally 630 × 810 pixels. The 2×2 inch / 51×51mm size is a different spec used only for things like US visa applications or some consulate/OCI submissions — not for the Indian passport itself.

Why the confusion exists

The 2×2 inch (51×51mm) size is the standard for US passport and visa photos, and it's widely used across the internet as a generic "passport photo size." Because so many templates and tools default to it, that square format gets applied to Indian applications too — even though the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Passport Seva have never used it for the passport itself.

Correct India passport photo specification

Property	Value
Physical size	35mm × 45mm (3.5cm × 4.5cm)
Digital pixels	630 × 810 px
Background	Plain white
Face height (chin to crown)	36–38mm (about 80–85% of frame)
File size (digital upload)	Typically 20KB–100KB, under 1MB
Recency	Photo taken within the last 6 months

Note: India's required face-to-frame ratio (36–38mm head height) is larger than most other 35×45mm countries — a normal "shoulders and head" selfie usually needs to be cropped in tighter than people expect.

When would you actually need 2×2 inch (51×51mm) for an Indian application?

• Applying for a US visa as an Indian citizen
• Some OCI or consulate submissions processed through US-based centers (check your specific checklist)
• Certain printed forms at overseas application centers that explicitly request 2×2 inch prints

Always check the specific checklist for your application — "passport photo" and "visa photo" are not always the same spec, even for the same country.

Passport photo sizes for other countries

Country	Size	Background
United States	2×2 in (51×51mm)	White or off-white
United Kingdom	35×45mm	Light grey or cream
Schengen/EU	35×45mm	Light grey or white
Canada	50×70mm	White
Australia	35×45mm	White or light grey
China	33×48mm	White or blue (varies by use)
Japan	35×45mm	White or light blue
Brazil	5×7cm (50×70mm)	White
Nigeria	2×2 in (51×51mm)	White
Philippines	35×45mm	White or blue
Pakistan	35×45mm	White

Tips for a compliant photo

1. Use a plain, evenly lit background — no shadows, textures, or patterns.
2. Neutral expression, eyes open, looking directly at the camera.
3. No glasses for most current specs (including India, since late 2025) — glare or lens reflections are an automatic rejection.
4. Check your face-height ratio, not just the outer frame size — this is the detail most people get wrong.
5. Re-check file size limits for digital uploads; oversized files are rejected at the portal stage, not flagged for manual review.

Need to crop and export a compliant photo for India or any of the countries above? Use the Passport Photo Maker tool — pick your country, adjust zoom and position, choose a background, and download at the exact required size.

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This guide is for general reference. Specifications can change — always confirm current requirements against the official portal for your destination (e.g. Passport Seva for India) before submitting an application.