If you’re a Malaysian citizen planning a trip to India, understanding the India visa photo requirements for Malaysians is crucial for a smooth application process.
In this ultimate guide, let’s review India visa photo specifications for Malaysians, including photo size, format, background, and attire.
India Visa Photo Format Requirements
Meeting the precise India visa photo specifications for Malaysians starts with understanding the required format. Refer to this table for a quick overview:
| Visa Type | Photo Form | Quantity | Permitted File Formats | File Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist | Electronic | 1 | JPEG | Min 10 KB, Max 300 KB |
| Tourist | Printout | 1 | N/A | N/A |
Your India visa photo quality standards for Malaysians must be high to ensure acceptance.
- The photo should be in color and taken against a plain white background.
- Avoid shadows, glare, or reflections on your face or the background.
India Visa Photo Size & Requirements
Adhere to these India visa photo size guidelines for a smooth application process:
- Photo Size in MM: 51 x 51 mm
- Photo Size in CM: 5.1 x 5.1 cm
- Photo Size in Inches: 2 x 2 inches
- Photo Size in Pixels: Minimum 350 x 350 pixels, Maximum 1000 x 1000 pixels
- Age of the Photo: Not older than 6 months
- Color: Colored photo with white background
- Background: Plain white, no shadows, patterns, objects, or discolorations
- Lighting: Uniform, no shadows on face or background, no reflections or glare
Facial Appearance & Size of the Photo
Your face should occupy 70-80% of the photo area, with your head centered in the frame. Here are the key guidelines:
- The face height should measure between 25 mm to 35 mm from the chin to the crown of the head.
- Your face should be clearly visible and not excessively large to cover the entire frame.
Face Orientation – Head Positioning and Alignment
- Keep your head straight, not tilted sideways, up or down.
- The photo must be in portrait orientation.
- Your face should be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
- Both sides of the face must be seen.
- Off-center alignment or face tilting will result in visa rejection.
Facial Expression
Maintain a neutral, pleasant expression in your India visa passport photo size. Follow these tips:
- Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed.
- Look directly at the camera with eyes fully open.
- Avoid smiling, frowning, or squinting as per India tourist visa photo standards.
Photo Quality
- Ensure good contrast between your face and the background.
- Avoid uneven lighting across the face.
- For printouts, use high-quality photo paper.
- The photo should have no creases, ink marks, staples, or damage.
- Filters, airbrushing, or alterations to the original photo are not allowed.
India Visa Photo Attire & Accessories
Your attire and accessories play a significant role in meeting India visa photo requirements. Follow these guidelines:
Attire
- Wear contrasting-colored clothes against the white background
- Choose neat, everyday attire; avoid uniforms, overly formal outfits, or revealing clothes
- Ties and bow ties are optional, but ensure they don’t cover your face
- Avoid clothes with busy patterns or large logos that could distract from your facial features
Accessories
India visa photo guidelines allow some accessories, but with limitations to ensure biometric facial recognition:
Glasses/Spectacles
- Avoid wearing glasses if possible
- If medically necessary, lenses must be clear, not tinted or colored
- Ensure your eyes are fully visible without glare or reflections on the lenses
- Frames should not cover any part of your eyes
Health Accessories
- Hearing aids and similar devices are allowed if you normally wear them
- Ensure they don’t obscure or cast shadows on your facial features
Jewelry
- Keep jewelry minimal and unobtrusive
- Avoid large earrings, nose rings, or facial piercings that cover your face
- Facial jewelry that casts shadows or obscures features is not permitted
Headwear
- Religious headwear like hijabs, turbans, and skullcaps are allowed
- Ensure your full face is visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead
- No shadows or obscuring of facial features by the headwear
Is Makeup Permitted in Photos for India Visa Applications?
Makeup is allowed in India visa passport photos for Malaysians, as long as it doesn’t alter your natural appearance. It’s important to keep makeup minimal and natural-looking,
- Avoid false eyelashes, colored contact lenses, or excessive eyeliner.
- Lipstick is acceptable, but it should be subtle and not distracting.
- Makeup should not be used to hide blemishes, moles, or scars.
- Wigs and hair coloring are allowed if they represent your consistent everyday look.
India Visa Photo Requirements for Children Under 1 Year
India visa photo requirements for Malaysian children have slightly relaxed rules as compared to adult visa photographs.
- The baby’s eyes should preferably be open, but it’s not mandatory.
- Babies can be photographed sitting in a chair or lying flat.
- The background must be plain white without any visible support.
India Visa Photo Requirements for Children Under 10 Years
For children below 10 years, the essential rules are:
- Eyes Open: The child’s eyes must be fully open and visible in the photo.
- Background Support: A plain white background is required without distracting elements. Any support, like a parent holding the child, should not be visible in the frame.
- Parental Support: Parents may hold an older child, but the focus should be on the child’s face, ensuring any support doesn’t detract from image clarity.
Reasons for India Visa Photo Rejections
Avoid these common mistakes that lead to India visa photo rejections for Malaysians:
- Low-quality images with blurriness, graininess, pixelation, or printing defects
- Photos older than 6 months or not matching your current appearance
- Facial features obscured by hair, headwear, glasses, or shadows
- Head tilted, turned, or not facing directly at the camera
- Backgrounds with colors, patterns, objects, or discolorations
- Overexposed or underexposed images with harsh lighting or shadows
- Altered images with filters, airbrushing, or other digital manipulations
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FAQs
1. What is the standard size for visa photos for Malaysian citizens in India?
The standard India visa photo size for Malaysians is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm or 5.1 x 5.1 cm).
- Your digital photo should have minimum pixel dimensions of 350 x 350 and a maximum of 1000 x 1000.
- Ensure your head measures between 25 mm to 35 mm from chin to crown.
2. Can I use a photo with a colored background for my India visa application?
No, you cannot use a photo with a colored background for your India visa photo requirements. The background must be plain white, without any shadows, patterns, or objects. This ensures clear contrast for biometric facial recognition.
3. Are glasses allowed in India visa photos?
It’s best to avoid glasses in your India visa passport photo if possible. If you must wear glasses for medical reasons, ensure the lenses are clear (not tinted), your eyes are fully visible, and there’s no glare or reflections. You may need a medical note to support wearing glasses.
4. What facial expression should I have in my India visa photo?
You should have a neutral facial expression in your India visa photo. Look directly at the camera with both eyes open and mouth closed. Avoid smiling, frowning, raised eyebrows, or any other exaggerated expressions. A natural, relaxed face is ideal.
5. What should I do if my India visa photo is rejected?
If your India visa photo is rejected, carefully review the guidelines and reshoot the photo, correcting the specific reasons for rejection. Common issues include incorrect size, unsuitable background, poor lighting, obscured facial features, and old photos. Retake and resubmit a compliant photo for approval.
6. Are there specific India visa photo requirements for infants?
The India visa photo requirements for Malaysians and infants are a bit different:
- Babies under 1 year can have their eyes closed and be lying down or supported by an adult wearing a white
- Children under 10 can have a slight smile but must have their eyes open
- No toys, blankets, or other objects should be in the frame, just a plain white background
