Starting 1 September 2025, Indian embassies and consulates across the world won’t accept passport applications with photos that do not meet ICAO standards. This means if you are applying for a passport or passport renewal in the US or anywhere else outside India, your application must follow the ICAO passport photo rules 2025. Otherwise, it will be rejected.
What are ICAO standards for passport photos in 2025?
Indian embassies clearly state that only ICAO-compliant passport photos are accepted starting September 2025. Your photo must be in color, sized 630 × 810 pixels if uploaded digitally, with your face covering 80 to 85 percent of the frame, as per the international aviation standards. The background must be plain white, without any patterns, shadows, or off-white tones. You should be looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression, eyes open and visible, and mouth closed.
Lighting plays a big role too. According to the new Indian passport photo rules 2025, your photograph must show natural skin tones without glare, red-eye, or heavy shadows. Glasses should be avoided since any reflection that covers your eyes will lead to rejection. Head coverings are permitted only for religious reasons, but even then, your full face from chin to forehead must be clearly visible.
Old Indian Passport Photo Rules vs ICAO Standards 2025
The Indian passport rules were relaxed and flexible before Indian embassies started enforcing the ICAO requirements for passport photographs in September 2025. Until then, printed photos sized 2 × 2 inches, or 35 × 35 mm were accepted. The face was required to cover about 70 to 80 percent of the photo, and the background could be white or light-colored. Glasses were generally allowed as long as there was no glare. Some embassies and VFS centers also accepted slightly edited photos if the face remained clear.
How to follow ICAO rules for your Indian passport photo
Complying with the ICAO passport photo guidelines is not as complicated as it sounds, but you need to follow a few steps closely. Make sure you stand against a plain white background with no shadows. The camera should be placed about 1.5 meters away to avoid distortion. Your head should be straight, centered, and filling most of the frame. Keep your mouth closed and avoid smiling or tilting your head.
If you wear glasses, you can keep them on only if they do not cause glare or hide your eyes. Any reflection on the lens will result in rejection, so in most cases it is safer to remove them. Head coverings are allowed for religious reasons, but your entire face from chin to forehead must remain visible. Do not use filters or apps to enhance your photograph. Even a photograph with minor edits can make your passport application meet with rejection.
Why Indian expats must submit ICAO-compliant passport photos
For millions of Indians abroad, the passport is not just a document for boarding international flights to India but also a critical proof of identity and nationality. The ICAO-compliant passport photos are now a global obligation, irrespective of nationalities and geographies, in view of rigid foreign entry requirements, border security concerns, and widespread adoption of biometric systems. A single instance of non-compliance with the ICAO guidelines will result in rejection of your application, thereby delaying your travel plans for an international holiday trip or in-person visa renewal interview in India.
What Indian Expats should do in view of ICAO guidelines being enforced
If you are living in the US and your passport is due for renewal, here’s how to get your Indian passport renewed in USA. Do read the ICAO-compliant photo specifications listed on your local Indian embassy or VFS website. Print and digital submissions must strictly match the new size and clarity requirements. Even if you recently got your passport with the photo as per the old rules, it may not be accepted after September 1.
The above is one of the major shifts impacting international travel for Indians, including the US Visa Integrity fee. However, our winter holiday travel discount to India can save you big on budget flight tickets from Indian Eagle, the most trusted air-ticketing partner of major airlines and for Indians in the US. Grab the limited offer now and fly later!
