Updated September 29, 2026 · Rules checked September 29, 2026 against the OCI FAQ, the OCI photo specifications and VFS Global's US OCI page

1. PhotoLight gray wall, face a window. We crop it square.
2. SignatureSign white paper in blue or black ink, then take a photo.
3. Upload and printUpload both JPGs. Glue the same photo, printed, to the form.

Make your signature image

Sign a sheet of plain white paper the way you signed your passport, and take a photo of it from straight above. The tool finds the signature, crops it to exactly 3:1, turns the paper clean white and keeps the ink color.

Sample photo of a signature in blue ink on a sheet of paper, with a soft shadow in one corner — Your photo

The same signature cropped to 600 × 200 px, with the paper turned clean white and the blue ink kept — Your photo

or drop a photo here

Blue or black ink · Plain white paper · Even light, no shadow

OCI photo requirements

Upload: Square JPEG, 200×200 to 900×900 px
File size: 200 KB or less
Head: 1 to 1⅜ in (25–35 mm), chin to top of hair
Background: Plain and light; light gray is safest
Print: 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm), same photo as the upload
Glasses: Allowed, no tint or glare
Taken within: The last 6 months
Tool saves: 600×600 px JPG, under 200 KB

Sources and details

The OCI FAQ on ociservices.gov.in, the Ministry of Home Affairs portal, says the uploaded photo should be square, "not less than 51x 51 mm (with 80% coverage of face)", with a "plain light color background (not white)" and no border, showing the head and shoulders with the full face in the middle. The minimum is 200 × 200 pixels and the maximum 900 × 900, and the photo and signature must be JPEG files of 200 KB or less.

VFS Global's US OCI page allows larger files: up to 1500 × 1500 pixels and 500 KB. The tool saves a 600 × 600 px JPG under 200 KB, which fits both.

How big should the head be? The FAQ mentions "80% coverage of face" but gives no measurement. The two documents with numbers agree: the portal's photo specifications sheet and the photo specifications that VFS Global's September 2026 OCI checklists link to both ask for the full head, from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, to measure 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm). The tool follows those numbers and aims for about 30 mm on the 51 mm photo, with head and shoulders showing.

The background rules differ too. The FAQ asks for a "plain light color background (not white)", while VFS Global's photo specifications allow a "plain light colored or white background". A light gray wall meets both, so the tool suggests light gray and marks a background that looks white as Check.

The specifications sheet asks for a full, front view with eyes open, even light with no shadows, natural colors, no retouching, and no head covering except for religious reasons, with the face from chin to forehead visible. Glasses are allowed without tinted lenses or glare, and the frames can't cover the eyes. VFS's September 2026 checklists say the photo must be no more than 6 months old. All sources checked September 29, 2026.

OCI signature requirements

Shape: 3 times wider than tall (1:3)
Pixels: 200×67 to 1500×500
File: JPEG, 200 KB or less
Ink: Blue or black
Must match: Your paper form and passport
Tool saves: 600×200 px JPG, under 200 KB

Sources and details

VFS Global's US OCI page says the signature image "must have aspect ratio 1:3": 3 times wider than it is tall, from 200 × 67 up to 1500 × 500 pixels. The OCI FAQ sets the 200 KB JPEG limit for both images. VFS's September 2026 checklist adds that the signature must be in blue or black ink and must match the signature on the paper application form and in your passport.

The tool saves 600 × 200 px, exactly 1:3 and well inside those limits. It keeps the color of your ink, so a blue signature stays blue. It only crops and cleans a photo of a real signature on paper; it doesn't draw one for you. Checked September 29, 2026.

Children

For a child from 5 years old, the child signs; VFS's September 2026 checklist for minors says it can't be an e-signature. For a child under 5, upload the child's left thumbprint instead. Press the thumb on an ink pad, then on white paper, and make the image the same way as a signature.

For the photo, the photo specifications sheet says babies under one don't need open eyes. Face size and eye position are somewhat relaxed for children under 10, and so are face position, expression and gaze for babies. The child must be alone in the photo, with no toys or chair backs showing. Turn on Baby photo above to relax the eyes, facing and expression checks.

Printed photos for the paper form

Your printed OCI application goes to VFS Global with a photo glued on it, and VFS says the printed and uploaded photos "must be identical". Make both from the same photo: in the tool, open More formats under the save button and save the 4×6 print sheet or the Letter PDF. Each copy is 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm). Order the sheet as a regular 4×6 print, with crop and fit turned off, and see how to print passport photos at home or at a store.

Photo or signature not uploading?

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco says many applications are rejected for poor photo and signature uploads. Check these four things; the files saved on this page meet all of them.

A real JPEGNot a PNG or another file renamed to .jpg, which the consulate warns about.
200 KB or lessEach file, photo and signature.
The exact shapePhoto square, signature 3 times wider than tall. Hand crops are often a few pixels off.
Enough pixelsPhoto 200×200 to 900×900, signature at least 200×67.

Questions

What size is an OCI photo?

Printed, 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), with the head 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to top of hair. Uploaded, a square JPEG from 200 × 200 to 900 × 900 pixels, 200 KB or less, according to the OCI FAQ. The tool saves 600 × 600 pixels.

Can the background of an OCI photo be white?

The sources differ. The OCI portal's FAQ asks for a light color that isn't white, while VFS Global's photo specifications allow light or white. A light gray wall meets both, so it's the safe choice. The tool flags a background that looks white.

What are the OCI signature requirements?

A JPEG of 200 KB or less, 3 times wider than tall (1:3), from 200 × 67 to 1500 × 500 pixels, signed in blue or black ink and matching the signature on your form and passport.

How can I resize my OCI signature for free?

Take a photo of your signature on white paper and choose it in the signature maker on this page. It crops the signature to 600 × 200 px, cleans up the paper and saves a JPEG under 200 KB, on your device.

Does the photo need to be the same as the printed one?

Yes. VFS Global says the physical and uploaded photographs must be identical. Save the upload file and the print sheet from the same photo in the tool.

Can I wear glasses in an OCI photo?

Yes, if the lenses aren't tinted, there's no glare, and the frames don't cover your eyes. Taking them off is simpler.

Is this the official OCI website?

No. Applications are made on ociservices.gov.in and sent to VFS Global. This site only helps you prepare the two images and the printed photos.

OCI photo and signature, ready to upload.