OCI card photo: a square JPEG up to 200 KB, not on white
The OCI services portal takes the applicant photo as a square upload. Its FAQ sets the pixel range and a 200 KB limit and asks for a plain light background that is not white. CropPass exports a 600×600 px JPEG under 200 KB, framed to the head size in the portal photo spec.
| Size | 200×200 to 900×900 px · CropPass exports 600×600 px |
|---|---|
| Shape | Square (1:1) |
| File size | Up to 200 KB |
| Format | JPEG |
| Head height | 49–69% of the photo height, chin to crown |
| Background | Plain light colour, not white |
| Digital editing | Not allowed · CropPass only crops and resizes |
Last verified 12 October 2026 against the source: ociservices.gov.in ↗
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Head 50–69% of frame height. 51×51 mm, 600×600 px, light grey background. This size is for Indian visa and OCI card photos.
Official requirements ↗How to make your OCI card photo
- Take or choose a photo. Face the camera in even light, against a wall that fits the background rule: plain light colour, not white. Upload it as a JPEG, PNG or HEIC file; it stays on your device.
- Line up the frame. CropPass crops to the square shape of the file and marks where your head goes (49–69% of the height). Drag and zoom until your head sits inside the guides.
- Download the file. In the download step, check that "OCI card application (online upload)" is selected and click "Download OCI card application (online upload)". CropPass encodes a 600×600 px JPEG (up to 200 KB) and shows its final size, ready to upload. The preview is free; downloading needs a pass.
Questions and answers
What are the OCI photo limits?
A JPEG or JPG, square, from 200×200 to 900×900 pixels, no larger than 200 KB.
Can the background be white?
No. The portal asks for a plain light colour background that is not white. A light grey wall is a safe choice, and it also works for an Indian e-Visa photo.
How big should the head be in an OCI photo?
The portal photo spec gives 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) on a 2×2 in photo, which is 49–69% of the height. CropPass frames the head inside that range.
Why do other sites list different limits?
Some Indian mission pages still show older limits, such as 30 KB, 500 KB or 1500 px, or a white background. The numbers on this page come from the current OCI portal FAQ.
More India photos
- Standard India photo · 51×51 mm print
- Indian passport photo from the USA (35×45 mm print) · 35×45 mm print
- Indian passport photo upload from the USA (630×810 px) · 630×810 px · JPEG · up to 250 KB
- Indian e-Visa photo · 600×600 px · JPEG · 10 KB–1 MB
- Guide: India passport photo requirements for 2026: size, background and rules