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UK guidance

OCI photo in the UK (VFS and HCI London)

Quick answer

For an OCI application through VFS in the UK, the photo is a square JPEG between 200 and 900 pixels a side (51×51 mm print), under 200 KB, on a plain light background, with no glasses of any kind.

Prepare my OCI photo Guide me through it

Last checked 7 Sep 2026 against Ministry of Home Affairs — OCI FAQ · India requirements

In this guide
  1. Official screenshots and examples
  2. Every requirement
  3. Questions

Visual guide · reviewed 9 Oct 2026

Official screenshots and examples

The current central OCI FAQ supplies the digital upload requirements. The current mission page supplies its photo example; where local caps differ, follow the central FAQ and your live upload instructions. These central government specifications and mission examples help explain the upload. They are not a UK document checklist. Confirm your UK mission's current instructions before your appointment.

  1. 1. Check the current OCI photo upload limits

    Open Question 9 in the official OCI FAQ. Prepare a square JPEG/JPG within its pixel and file limits. The FAQ asks for a light background that is not white.

    Public guidance / blank form · 8 Oct 2026.

    Full image Official source

  2. 2. Compare the current mission photo example

    This Auckland page includes a square portrait example and local photo/signature specifications. Its 500 KB maximum differs from the central FAQ’s 200 KB. Use the central limits and your live upload instructions.

    Public guidance / blank form · 8 Oct 2026.

    Full image Official source

Every requirement

OCI photo — UK (VFS / HCI London), as last checked on 7 Sep 2026. Each rule says how to fix a file that fails it. Preparation ranges used by TravelPrepKit are tool targets; follow your live portal’s upload limits.

JPEG format

image/jpeg

The portal accepts JPEG only.

If it fails: Export as JPEG. PNG and HEIC will be rejected.

File size under 200 KB

10.0 KB – 200.0 KB

Maximum 200 KB (keep above ~10 KB so the file is not empty).

If it fails: Drop the photo again — TravelPrepKit will recompress into the window.

200–900 pixels, square

200–900 px on both sides (51×51 mm)

Width and height each between 200 and 900 pixels, and equal. Print size is 51×51 mm.

If it fails: Drop the photo — it will be cropped and resized automatically.

Square aspect ratio

1:1

Width must equal height.

If it fails: Will be cropped to square on drop.

Plain light background (not white)

VFS UK / OCI FAQ: plain light colour background. Do not reuse an e-Visa white-background file.

If it fails: Stand against a plain light wall. TravelPrepKit evens it to a warm, neutral cream backdrop rather than the pure white OCI excludes.

No shadows or patterns

Background must be near-uniform.

If it fails: Retake on a plain wall, away from the surface to reduce shadow.

Single face

exactly 1

Exactly one person in the frame.

If it fails: Crop to the applicant only.

Head-and-shoulders, face centred

Head from top of hair to bottom of chin measures 1–1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) of the 2-inch (51 mm) frame — about 49–69% of its height — with the eyes 1⅛–1⅜ inches from the bottom. Children under ten are allowed some latitude.

If it fails: Auto-crop to a 2×2 ID photo. Retake if hair or chin is cut off.

Eyes open and looking forward

Eyes should be open and looking at the camera. The official OCI photograph sheet makes this optional for babies under one.

If it fails: Use a front-facing photo with open eyes, unless the applicant is a baby under one.

No glasses

UK VFS: photographs with any glasses, spectacles, or sunglasses are not acceptable.

If it fails: Remove glasses and retake.

Questions

Can I wear glasses in a UK OCI photo?

No. The recorded UK OCI guidance does not accept glasses, spectacles or sunglasses. Remove them and check your UK mission’s current instructions before filing.

Is the UK OCI photo different from the standard OCI photo?

The size, file limit and light background are the same. The recorded UK guidance also prohibits glasses; follow your UK mission’s current instructions.

What print size does VFS UK use for OCI?

51×51 mm, square.

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