OCI Card Photo Size Requirements — Complete Guide (2026)
The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card is issued to foreign nationals of Indian origin. The application process through the Ministry of External Affairs portal requires uploading a photograph that meets specific technical standards.
This guide covers the OCI card photo size, format, DPI, background requirements, and common mistakes to avoid when applying for your OCI card.
OCI Card Photo Specifications
Dimensions600 × 600 px
FormatJPEG
Resolution200 DPI
Max File Size200 KB
BackgroundPlain white
ShapeSquare
OCI Photo Requirements
- Square photo at least 600×600 pixels
- White background, no patterns or shadows
- Front-facing, both eyes open and visible
- Neutral expression, mouth closed
- No glasses, hats, or headwear unless for religious reasons
- File size must be under 200 KB
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Upload your photo to ilovephoto.in.
2
Select "OCI Card" preset for 600×600 px sizing.
3
Crop to 1:1 square using the crop tool.
4
Set background to white if needed.
5
Download the JPEG file under 200 KB.
How to Take a Good OCI Photo at Home
Taking a compliant OCI card photo at home is easy with the right setup. Follow these photography tips to ensure your photo meets Ministry of External Affairs standards on the first attempt:
- Lighting: Use diffused, even lighting from a window or soft lamp. Avoid overhead lights that cast shadows on your face or background. Place two light sources at 45° angles in front of you for balanced illumination.
- Background: Stand against a plain white wall. Ensure no textures, patterns, or furniture edges are visible behind you. The entire background must be pure white with no gradient or shadow.
- Glasses policy: Remove glasses before taking the photo. The OCI portal rejects photos with glare or heavy frames. If you must wear them for medical reasons, choose thin wire frames and tilt your head slightly to avoid reflections.
- Head covering: Religious head coverings are permitted but must not obscure your forehead, eyes, or chin. Ensure no shadow is cast by the covering onto your face.
- File size: Keep the final JPEG under 200 KB. Use our converter to compress the image without losing the required 600×600 pixel dimensions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | How to Fix |
|---|---|
| Non-white background (grey, cream, or patterned) | Use our background changer tool to replace with pure white. Stand against a plain wall with no visible objects. |
| Wearing glasses or sunglasses | Remove glasses entirely. If unavoidable, use thin frames and tilt to avoid glare on lenses. |
| Using an old passport photo for OCI | Take a fresh photo at 600×600 px. Passport photos are rectangular (35×45 mm) — OCI requires a square crop. |
| Wrong format or rectangular crop | Use the 1:1 square crop preset on ilovephoto.in. Always save as JPEG — never PNG, GIF, or BMP. |
| File size exceeds 200 KB | Compress the JPEG using our tool. Reduce quality slightly until file size is under 200 KB while keeping 600×600 px. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OCI card photo size?OCI requires a square photo of 600×600 pixels at 200 DPI, in JPEG format under 200 KB.
What background is needed for OCI photo?A plain white background is required for OCI card photo applications.
Can I wear glasses in my OCI photo?Glasses are not recommended and should be removed if possible to avoid glare and obstruction.
Can I use my Indian passport photo for OCI?No. Indian passport photos are 35×45 mm (rectangular) while OCI photos must be 600×600 px (square). You need a fresh photo that meets the OCI square format.
What is the OCI card file size limit?The uploaded photo must be under 200 KB in JPEG format. Our converter automatically optimises your image to meet this limit while keeping the 600×600 pixel dimensions intact.
Do I need separate photos for the OCI application and the OCI card?The photo requirements for the OCI online application and the physical OCI card are the same: 600×600 px square, white background, JPEG under 200 KB. One compliant photo works for both stages.