OCI Card Photo Requirements
Complete guide to photo specifications for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card applications. The OCI photo requirements are similar to Indian passport standards but include specific digital file size limits that frequently cause rejection.
OCI Photo Specifications
Dimensions
- Size: 51 x 51 mm (2 x 2 inches)
- Pixels: 350x350 to 1000x1000 px
- Face coverage: 50-70% of frame
Requirements
- Background: White
- Format: JPEG
- File size: 10KB - 300KB
Create Your OCI Photo
Upload your photo and resize it to the exact dimensions required for OCI card applications. Free, private, and no watermarks.
Photo Requirements
300 DPI51 × 51 mm
600 × 600 px
white
JPEG
Step-by-Step Guide to Taking Your OCI Photo
Follow these steps to take an OCI-compliant photo at home that will be accepted by the Indian government's online portal.
Set Up a White Background
OCI applications require a plain white background with no patterns, shadows, or textures. Use a clean white wall, white poster board, or hang a white bedsheet smoothly. The background must be uniformly white - off-white or cream colors will be rejected by the automated system.
Ensure Proper Lighting
Position yourself facing natural daylight from a window, or use two artificial lights at 45-degree angles on either side of your face. The goal is even illumination without shadows on your face or the background. Avoid harsh direct sunlight or overhead fluorescent lights.
Position Yourself Correctly
Face the camera directly with your head straight and eyes looking at the lens. Stand about 2-3 feet from the background to prevent shadows. Your face should occupy 50-70% of the photo height. Keep both ears visible if possible.
Remove Glasses and Accessories
Remove all eyeglasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses for your OCI photo. This is a strict requirement. Remove hats, caps, and head coverings unless worn for religious purposes. Religious head coverings are permitted but your face must be fully visible.
Maintain a Neutral Expression
Keep a natural, neutral expression with your mouth closed. Do not smile showing teeth. Both eyes must be open and visible. Look directly at the camera - not above, below, or to the side. This is critical for biometric matching.
Take Multiple Shots
Capture 10-15 photos to ensure you have good options. Use a smartphone with at least 8MP camera resolution. Use a timer or have someone else take the photo. Check each image for focus, lighting, and expression before moving on.
Crop, Resize, and Compress
Use our free tool above to crop to a perfect square (51x51mm) and resize to the required pixel dimensions (350x350 to 1000x1000). Critically, ensure the final file size is between 10KB and 300KB - this is the most common reason for OCI photo rejection.
Expert Tips & Insights
Understanding OCI Photo Requirements
The OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card allows foreign nationals of Indian origin to live and work in India indefinitely. The photo requirements follow Indian passport standards but include strict digital file size limitations that often cause issues for applicants. Understanding these nuances is key to a successful application.
The 51x51mm (2x2 inch) square format is the same as US passport photos, which makes it convenient for applicants in the United States. However, the file size requirement (10KB-300KB) is more restrictive than many other countries, requiring careful compression while maintaining image quality.
The File Size Challenge
The most common cause of OCI photo rejection is file size. The Indian government's portal strictly enforces the 10KB-300KB limit. If your photo is a high-resolution JPEG from a modern smartphone, it may easily exceed 1MB. You'll need to compress it while maintaining the minimum 350x350 pixel requirement and image clarity.
Photo and Signature Consistency
OCI applications require both a photo and a signature image upload. Both must be recent and accurately represent your current appearance. If there's a significant discrepancy between your photo and how you look at the interview (if required), or your signature doesn't match what you provide later, it can cause delays. Some applicants take both on the same day to ensure consistency.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the most frequent reasons OCI photos get rejected by the online portal. Pay special attention to the file size limits.
File Size Over 300KB
This is the #1 rejection reason. Modern smartphone photos are often 1-5MB. You must compress the image while maintaining quality. Use our tool to automatically resize within the limits.
Wearing Glasses
Glasses are not permitted in OCI photos, including clear prescription lenses. This is a strict requirement regardless of medical need. Remove all eyewear before taking your photo.
Non-White Background
The background must be pure white - not off-white, cream, light gray, or light blue. The online system's automated checks will reject photos with incorrect background colors.
Incorrect Dimensions
Photos must be square (1:1 aspect ratio) with dimensions between 350x350 and 1000x1000 pixels. Rectangular photos or photos below 350px will be rejected.
Face Too Small or Large
Your face must occupy 50-70% of the photo height. If you're too far from the camera or cropped too tightly, the photo will be rejected. Center your face properly.
Shadows on Face
Harsh shadows on your face from poor lighting interfere with facial recognition. Use soft, even lighting from the front to eliminate all shadows.
Detailed Photo Requirements
| Photo Size | 51 x 51 mm (2 x 2 inches) |
| Digital Size | Minimum 350x350 px, Maximum 1000x1000 px |
| File Size | Between 10KB and 300KB |
| Background | Plain white, no shadows |
| Face Coverage | 50-70% of photo height |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Photo Format | JPEG only |
Important Notes
Photo Must Match Signature Photo
The OCI application requires both a photo and a signature image. Both should be from the same time period and accurately represent your current appearance. Significant discrepancies may cause delays.
Same Requirements for Minors
Children's OCI photos have the same specifications as adults. For infants, ensure eyes are open and face is clearly visible. A parent may support the child from behind but hands/body must not appear in the photo.
Renewal Photos Must Be Recent
When renewing or reissuing your OCI card, you must submit a new photo taken within the last 6 months. You cannot reuse your previous OCI photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size photo is needed for OCI card?
OCI photos should be 51x51mm (2x2 inches), the same as Indian passport photos. For digital submissions, the size must be between 350x350 and 1000x1000 pixels, with file size between 10KB and 300KB in JPEG format.
Is OCI photo the same as Indian passport photo?
Yes, the physical dimensions are the same (51x51mm or 2x2 inches). However, OCI applications have stricter digital file size limits (10KB-300KB) compared to some other passport applications. The requirements for background color, expression, and glasses are identical.
Can I use my existing passport photo for OCI?
Yes, if your passport photo was taken within the last 6 months, meets the 51x51mm dimension requirement, and can be compressed to under 300KB while maintaining at least 350x350 pixel resolution. The photo must still accurately reflect your current appearance.
Why is my OCI photo being rejected?
The most common rejection reasons are: file size over 300KB (use compression), incorrect dimensions (must be square 350x350 to 1000x1000px), non-white background, glasses in photo, face not properly centered (should be 50-70% of frame), or shadows on face or background.
How do I compress my OCI photo to under 300KB?
Use our free tool above - it automatically resizes and compresses your photo to meet OCI requirements. Alternatively, you can reduce image quality in photo editing software, but ensure the result is still clear and not visibly pixelated. Aim for 500x500 pixels at medium JPEG quality.
Can I wear religious head covering in my OCI photo?
Yes, head coverings worn daily for religious purposes are permitted. However, your full face must be visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, and both ears should ideally be visible. The head covering must not cast shadows on your face.
What is the signature photo requirement for OCI?
Along with your photo, OCI applications require a scanned image of your signature on white paper. The signature file must be between 10KB and 300KB, in JPEG format, with dimensions between 350x350 and 1000x1000 pixels. Sign with black or blue ink on white paper.
How recent must my OCI photo be?
Your photo must be taken within the last 6 months and accurately reflect your current appearance. If your appearance has changed significantly since the photo was taken (different hairstyle, facial hair, significant weight change), you should take a new photo.
Do children need separate OCI photos?
Yes, each child needs their own compliant photo. For infants and young children, make sure their eyes are open and face is clearly visible. A parent may hold the child but must not appear in the photo - use a white sheet behind the child. Each minor must have their own separate OCI application with individual photos.
Can I take my OCI photo with a smartphone?
Yes, modern smartphones with 8MP or higher cameras produce sufficient quality for OCI photos. Use the rear camera (not selfie camera) for better quality. Ensure good lighting, a white background, and use our tool to resize and compress to the required specifications.
Related Guides
Create Your OCI Photo Now
Free, instant, and completely private - photos never leave your device.
Resize Your Photo - Free