Why Indian passport photos get rejected
A rejected photo can mean a second appointment. Almost every rejection comes down to one of these.
Updated 7 min read
Shadows on the face or wall
Light from one side — a lamp, a single window off to the left — leaves one half of the face darker and throws a shadow behind the head. Face the light source directly and stand a foot away from the wall.
Background that isn't white
Cream, grey or textured walls show up clearly once printed. A photo taken against a white wall at night under yellow bulbs often comes out beige. We replace the background, but if you're printing yourself, it has to be plain white.
Head too small or too large
Cropping by eye usually leaves too much space above the head or cuts the chin close. The head, from chin to top of hair, should take up roughly half to two-thirds of the 2×2 square.
| Measure | Typical guidance |
|---|---|
| Photo | 35x45 mm |
| Head height | 1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm) |
| Eyes from bottom | About 1⅛–1⅜ in |
Glasses
Glare on the lenses or frames across the eyes are among the most common reasons. Take them off for the photo.
Expression and pose
Accepted
Rejected
Neutral face, mouth closed
Broad smile showing teeth
Head straight and level
Head tilted or turned
Both eyes open, looking at the lens
Eyes half closed or looking away
Blurry or edited photos
Beauty filters, portrait-mode blur and heavy compression from messaging apps all get photos rejected. Send us the original file from your camera roll, not one forwarded through WhatsApp.
Watch out
Your appointment checklist from the mission, VFS Global or BLS International is final. If it differs from this page, follow it.
Get Your Passport Photo Ready
Upload your photo. We will resize it, refine it, clear the background, and have an expert review it.