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Requirement of Photograph For VISA / OCI: 2 Inch

The document provides guidelines for submitting a proper photograph for a visa or OCI, including: 1) Photographs must be 2 inches x 2 inches, in color, with a clear, continuous-tone quality print. 2) Faces should be centered, showing full head from top of hair to bottom of chin. Eyes must be open and visible. 3) Backgrounds should be plain white with even, balanced lighting and no shadows on the face.

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Ankur Agarwal
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97 views5 pages

Requirement of Photograph For VISA / OCI: 2 Inch

The document provides guidelines for submitting a proper photograph for a visa or OCI, including: 1) Photographs must be 2 inches x 2 inches, in color, with a clear, continuous-tone quality print. 2) Faces should be centered, showing full head from top of hair to bottom of chin. Eyes must be open and visible. 3) Backgrounds should be plain white with even, balanced lighting and no shadows on the face.

Uploaded by

Ankur Agarwal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Requirement of photograph for VISA / OCI

Based upon the specifications of the International Standards Organization (ISO) and
ICAO, which is responsible for standardizing travel documents, the most important
requirements for a photograph for e-passport is that the face must be taken from a
full frontal position and the height of the face must meet the prescribed
specifications. The eyes must be open, level and clearly visible within the indicated
area. The face should be centred within the frame.

Advice for Applicants to Submit Proper Quality Photograph


The quality of the photograph appearing on the passport depends on the photograph
that is submitted at the time of applying for a passport. The passport seekers are,
therefore, advised to submit the photographs, as specified, to avoid delay in processing
their passport applications.

Sample Photo 2 Inch


• The photograph should be in colour and of
the size of 2 inch x 2 inch (51 mm x 51 mm).
• The photo-print should be clear and with a
continuous-tone quality.
• It should have full face, front view, eyes
open.
2 Inch

• Photo should present full head from


top of hair to bottom of chin.
• Center head within frame.
• The background should be a plain white
background.
• There should not be any distracting
shadows on the face or on the background.
• 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.
• 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.
• The expression on the face should look natural.
Do's and Dont's for a Proper photo
The photo should capture full face, front view, with eyes open. The head should be in the
centre of the frame. There should be no distracting shadows on the face or background.

Distracting background Not centered Correct orientation

2 Inch

Make sure photo presents full head


2 inch from top of hair to bottom of chin;
1 inch to 1 3/8 inch height of head should
measure 1 inch to 13/8 inches
(25 mm to 35 mm). Make sure eye
11/8 inch to 1 1/3 inch
height is between 11/8 inches to 11/3.

Lighting on face and background


The light should be even and balanced to avoid shadows on the face.
Background behind the face should be properly illuminated to avoid shadows in the background.

Distracting background Not centered Correct orientation

Photograph Print Properties


The photograph should be in size 2 inch x 2 inch (51 mm x 51 mm) and in colour.
Print photo on thin photo paper or stock. Ensure the print is clear and has a continuous-tone
quality. Do not retouch or otherwise enhance or soften the photo.

Distracting background Not centered Correct orientation


Resolution and Printing Quality
High-resolution photography and printing are
strongly recommended.
Both conventional and digital photography
are acceptable, and conventional or digital
printing methods may be used. High resolution image

Washed out Colours Pixelated Correct orientation

Resulting print should exhibit a continuous-tone quality regardless of the print method
used (dye sublimation, ink jet, laser, etc.)
Digitally printed photos should be produced without visible pixels or dot patterns. Fine
facial features should be discernible.

Contrast and Colour


Brightness and contrast should be adjusted to present the subject and background accurately.

Photos without proper contrast or colour may obscure unique facial features. Colour
should reproduce natural skin tones.

Fluorescent or other lighting with unbalanced colour may cause unwanted colour cast in
photo. Appropriate filters can eliminate improper colour balance.

Looking away Unnatural skin tone Correct orientation


Head & Eyes- Position and Background
Head should face the camera directly and should not tilt or turned (portrait style).

Photo must show both edges of the face clearly.


The eyes must be open, level and clearly visible and must not be covered by hair or
eye-glass frames.

Hair across eyes Eyes closed Correct orientation

Eyeglasses
Glare on eyeglasses should be avoided with a slight upward or downward
tilt of the head. No tinted or dark glasses.

Dark tinted lenses Flash reflection on lenses Correct orientation

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.

Face covered Shadow across face Correct orientation


Exposure and Lighting
There should not be any over-exposure or under-exposure which results in an unusable photo.

There should be a three-point balanced lighting. Facial features should be clearly evident in the photo.

Lighting should be adjusted to avoid shadows on the face or background. Diffuse sources of light,
such as umbrella lights, are preferable to point sources.

Too dark Too Light Correct orientation

Flexibility in Children's photographs


Babies under one year do not have to have their eyes open.
With regards to the photograph of the children under ten years of age, requirements can be
somewhat relaxed in respect of height of the face, and the position of the eyes in the photographs;
and in case of babies and infants also, the position of the face, the facial expression, the eyes and
the line of sight can have some relaxation . However, a frontal photograph with clarity is required
for children. It should show the child alone (no chair backs, toys or other people visible), looking at the
camera with a neutral expression and the mouth closed.

No chair backs, toys or other people visible & no open mouth Correct orientation

Photographs taken with a digital camera should be of high quality colour.

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