OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA
 

PHOTOGRAPH SPECIFICATIONS
     
    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 PHOTOGRAPH

  
   

  • 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.

  • Photo should present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin.

  • Center head within frame.

  • The background should be a plain white or off-white.

  • There should not be any distracting shadows on the face or on the background.

  • Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons, but the facial fea tures 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 DON'TS FOR PROPER PHOTOGRAPH

  
    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.  
     

Shadow across the face

Not centered

    
    Make sure photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin; height of head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm). Make sure eye height is between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3.  
    Lighting on face and background  
     

Shadows behind head

Shadow across the face

    
   

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.  
     

Blurred

Ink marked/creased

    
   

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. Distracting background. Not centered. Shadows behind head. Shadow across the face. Blurred Ink marked/creased. 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.  
     

Washed out colours

Pixilated

    
   

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 the photo. Appropriate filters can eliminate improper colour balance.  
     

Looking away

Unnatural skin tones

    
   

HEAD AND 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 eyeglass
frames.		  
     

Hair across eyes

Eyes closed

    
   

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

    
   

HEAD COVERINGS

  
    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.  
           
   

EXPOSURE AND LIGHTING

  
    There should not be any overexposure 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

    
   

FLEXIBILITY IN CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHS

  
    Babies under one year do not have to have their eyes open. As regards 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.  
     

Shows background

Mouth open and toy close to face

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

______________________________

Applicants may direct their queries in this regard to Consular Section:

CONS.CARACAS@MEA.GOV.IN