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OCI card photo requirements 2026 (India, adults and minors)

The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card uses a 2×2 inch photo very close to the US passport spec, but with tighter face-visibility rules. The photo is submitted online with the OCI application on the Indian Government portal and again in print at CKGS or VFS Global processing centers.

OCI photo specs 2026

The specs are published by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) India and mirrored by CKGS and VFS. They accept both the international 2×2 inch square and the older 35×45 mm portrait, but 2×2 in is the safer default for online submission.

  • Size: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) recommended.
  • Face size: 60–80% of the frame.
  • Background: plain light-colored, white or off-white preferred.
  • Expression: neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open.
  • No head covering except for religious reasons (face and forehead must be fully visible).
  • Digital JPG for online form, plus 2 printed copies for the mailed application.

OCI photo for minors and newborns

The OCI system frequently rejects baby photos taken in-arms or with a hand visible. Use the lay-flat method: baby on their back on a plain white sheet, phone held above face level. Both eyes should be open unless the child is younger than 6 weeks.

Where OCI photos are rejected

The OCI photo is checked twice — once by the online portal for pixel dimensions, and once by consulate staff for face visibility.

  • Head tilted or turned — must be directly facing the camera.
  • Hair covering eyes, ears or eyebrows.
  • Background not truly plain — wall art, texture, gradient.
  • File size below 10 KB or above 200 KB for the online upload.

Frequently asked questions

What size is an OCI card photo?
2×2 inches (51×51 mm) square is the recommended size accepted by the Indian MHA online portal, CKGS and VFS Global. The older 35×45 mm portrait is still accepted for printed copies.
Can I use my US passport photo for OCI?
Usually yes — the size, background and expression rules overlap. The main risk is that OCI enforces stricter face-visibility rules (no hair over ears, forehead fully visible).
Does the OCI photo need to be printed on photo paper?
Yes. Printed OCI photos must be on matte or glossy photo paper, not office paper. IDReady.ai delivers a print-ready 4×6 sheet you can print at any drugstore.
How recent does the OCI photo have to be?
Within the last 6 months. If your appearance has changed significantly since then (weight, hair, glasses), CKGS may ask for a fresh photo.

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