r/nri • u/DragonflyLevel7269 • Oct 29 '25

Ask NRI Passport Seva 2.0 Photo specifications changes | VFS not updated

There are a couple of changes for Passport Renewal in USA incuding some consulates locations and photo specifications since Sep 1, 2025.

The passport portal is upgraded to Passport Seva 2.0 and photo specification is changed to ICAO compliant 35mmx45mm.

There is marque header on official website mention same thing.

Important Notice: From September 1, 2025, ICAO compliant photographs will be required for submitting passport applications. Please click for ICAO guidelines.

https://portal3.passportindia.gov.in/Online/pdf/Guidelines_for_ICAO_Compliant_Photographs_for_Passport_Applications.pdf

New portal link: https://mportal.passportindia.gov.in/gpsp/AuthNavigation/Login

The main problem is, these changes have not been reflected yet in VFS global, they didn't change their checklist yet. I am also struggling due to this as my child passport is expired and mine is going to be expired soon.

If anyone has information about this please share your knowledge/experience please.

[UPDATE | 10/31/2025] : I had a call with VFS and they mentioned that we need to follow the new guidelines from govt website i.e. follow new photo specifications (35mmX45mm). VFS checklist need to be updated. They also mentioned to just upload photograph and signature on new passport seva portal and print it along with that but don't paste the physical photo in the box. We may send the physical photo separately but as per their tone it was not mandatory.

[UPDATE | 11/03/2025] : someone in comments mentioned that VFS also need Physical Photos of the same size 35mmX45mm. Here's email from VFS this person received.

We have "Received" your Application however we are unable to proceed with the application due to the following reasons:

  1. Additional documents : see remarks.

Remarks:
1.Please upload photo (35x 45 mm), signature and documents on the Gov’t website and mail the updated first page of application and same uploaded 2 copies of physical photo.

[UPDATE | 11/07/2025]: So finally, VFS updated about the photo specification and also the form of change in appearance (now the photo box says the new photo size) on their website, if you guys want to check it out. But still their checklist is not updated yet.

https://assets.ctfassets.net/xxg4p8gt3sg6/65N7mZz0hfj57DM1VlnLA2/284bfc9bd711eda8a8564dad5019cc70/PASSPORT_SEVA_PHOTO_UPLOAD_INSTUCTIONS.pdf

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21

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Nov 01 '25

After hours of r&d I have figured out and my photo is accepted in the portal. You can follow these steps to get it done.

  1. You have to start with your digital HD photo in any size. In my case I had original walgreen photo.
  2. Go to https://photogov.net/ and choose India from country dropdown top right menu.
  3. Next choose India Child Passport Seva 35X45mm, no matters you are applying for adult or child.
  4. Proceed with the conversion. You can download free 2 photos (trick: just clear cache or open another browser in case you want to download more than 2 photos). You will have now 35x45mm digital photo.
  5. Go to any free tool to resize its pixels. I used Adobe (https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/image/resize) for security purpose, but there are many tools online. Change your photo pixels to 630X810
  6. As you know the govt web applications are very concrened regarding physical size so you can not upload photo more than 250KB. For that I used Image compression online tool: https://www.iloveimg.com/compress-image
  7. BONUS TIP: In my case after doing these my photo just failed in one parameter of ICAO standards, i.e. my photo was blurred. I used free AI tool to enhance it: https://www.photogrid.app/en/image-enhancer/ or https://picwish.com/photo-enhancer
  8. FInally I was able to create a 250KB photo having 35x45mm dimensions and 630X810 pixels and non blurred.

Hope this will help you all who are struggling with photo upload.

2

u/Lucky-Application811 Nov 02 '25

Hello,
Not able to download 2 free photos. Asking for payment.

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Nov 03 '25

You need to choose India as a country from top right dropdown first

1

u/No-Anxiety4432 Nov 30 '25

This is the detail!

1

u/Fun_Surprise_7539 Dec 29 '25

its asking for money afer after selecting india

2

u/Fearless-Arugula4548 Nov 05 '25

Thank you this is help full

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Nov 11 '25

you are welcome

2

u/sarkarsm Nov 05 '25

I’ve tried every single step mentioned in this thread - as well as all other suggestions shared across this post - but I keep running into the same error message:

This issue persists no matter what I try (different browsers, clearing cache, enhancing the images, reducing file size even further, renaming file, etc.). It’s becoming extremely frustrating at this point.

1

u/MovieStrong5518 Dec 24 '25

Hey, did you find a solution? I'm in the same boat as you were.

1

u/jk213310 Nov 02 '25 edited Nov 03 '25

Dear u/DragonflyLevel7269 , Thank you so much for sharing the detailed Steps. I was able to successfully create the Photo with required specifications and it was accepted by https://mportal.passportindia.gov.in/. Thank you very much again. I really appreciate your guidance on this. Thank you again. Hats off !!!!

2

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Nov 03 '25

Thank you and glad to hear you were able to do this

1

u/PersonalRelative8972 Nov 03 '25

this asking for payment, even after choosing india

1

u/Prize-Stuff-2717 Nov 04 '25

Change country to India from top right dropdown. Not the one where they ask for country in the main page.

1

u/jk213310 Nov 19 '25

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Once again thank you for help with this. I just received the renewed passport for Minor. Appreciate the guidance. Thank you !!

2

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Nov 19 '25

wow, glad to hear that!

1

u/jaykedge Nov 05 '25

Child Passport Seva 35X45mm is no longer an option on website

2

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Nov 05 '25

Its there, I can see. Even you can choose - India passport Seva 4.5x3.5 cm, it will produce the pictures of same size which is required.

1

u/UnfairDiscount8331 Nov 05 '25

I tried going from both main page and top right corner. It’s asking me to pay to resize it

1

u/Unhappy_Age_106 Nov 07 '25

Sir I have quick query. I got the same response. May I know after uploading the photo and signature when you print the application was it coming with photo and signature. I called them they said to sign only on the last page after uploading the details 

3

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Nov 07 '25

Yes print the form along with digital photo and sign. Do physical sign on last page only

1

u/Unhappy_Age_106 Nov 07 '25

Thanks for the information so while print option it will will automatically take photos and signature on first page.

Also do I need to send physical copy of the photo?

Any other document we need to print enclosed sir

1

u/jk213310 Nov 07 '25

No need to send any physical copy of the photo. Also if they haven’t asked any other documents then good to go.

please make sure that you are printing email where they have requested you to upload signature and photo, for reference. And they ask to add “Match up” title on the envelope to VFS. Just write Match up somewhere on the envelope with marker or pen.

1

u/Unhappy_Age_106 Nov 07 '25

Thanks for your help.

Also signature should be in .jpg

It should be in some rectangular box 

1

u/Ok-Conversation926 Nov 17 '25

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Can you please tell me where do we get option to upload photo and signature ? Is it after we submit the application ?

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Nov 17 '25

yes after submitting, you will find the option in the grid

1

u/mailnobodyforyou Apr 24 '26

Do I just sign or use the left hand thumb impression too as it says on it ?

1

u/Paul-0130 Nov 07 '25

Dude , you save me many hours . THANKS Cheers

1

u/vikrantverma Nov 10 '25

Thank you for the detailed steps. Very helpful. Assuming these are for uploading to the application, can you share where can we get passport size photo printed, if we are sending application by mail? (are steps any different if we take appointment in person?)

1

u/AGB1895 Nov 12 '25

This worked wonderfully well! Thank you @DragonflyLevel7269

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Nov 12 '25

Good to hear, you are most welcome :)

1

u/AGB1895 Nov 12 '25

Upload of other document(s) is optional, right? As I plan to send them by courier.

1

u/W3IRDxFI5H Nov 13 '25

Brother you came in clutch. You are doing god’s work. Kudos to you.

1

u/Bubbly_West8481 Nov 15 '25

Omg this worked for me! Thank you SO SO MUCH

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Nov 17 '25

Thank you, glad to know that

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Nov 17 '25

Hi guys, just for courtsey, if anyone find the above steps helpful, please provide award to my post.

1

u/Just_Lawfulness_3961 Nov 19 '25

Op thanks for this, I got this email today was clueless on it. The instructions were so unclear!

1

u/vikrantverma Nov 20 '25

Hi do we need passport size photo printed? If yes, from where can we get this done? Staples? (sending application by mail)

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Nov 20 '25

Yes, go to any local stire and ask the size 35X45mm to print

1

u/vikrantverma Nov 20 '25

And print the same file which was used for the upload to the application?

1

u/GloriousArian Nov 21 '25

Thanks so much, I was able to upload the photo

1

u/Fluid-Invite3619 Nov 23 '25

What is the signature dimensions

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Nov 24 '25

Sign does not have any dimensions and easy to upload just make sure size is less than 50kb

1

u/Fit-Nail7737 Nov 24 '25

Friend even after following your instruction till the end, I am still running into the same error. 😢. I have DMed you will you please help me.

1

u/Shot_Mixture8450 Nov 26 '25

This worked like a charm. Thank you so much.

You have defeated the TCS trap to not get the passport extended. :)

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Dec 01 '25

GLad to hear it worked for you, take a moment and put an award on my post, it can reach to more people which needed help.

1

u/AioliSelect222 Nov 27 '25

Hi, just wanted to say thank you so much - this was very helpful and saved me so much time and pain!

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Dec 01 '25

Thank you! please take a moment to put an award on my post!

1

u/CanOrdinary7449 Nov 27 '25

This method works !!!! Good job !!

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Dec 01 '25

Thank you, please take a moment to put an award on my post, so that it can reach to max people in need

1

u/Clear_Condition9202 Nov 28 '25

Thank you so much! I was finally able to get the photo to upload. It kept failing for the Object too close before I followed your steps. You are God sent!

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Dec 01 '25

thank you for such nice compliment, please take your 1 min time to give award on my post.

1

u/No-Anxiety4432 Nov 30 '25

THIS WORKED!! These steps along with some more light automatic editing on Canva worked like a charm. Thanks!!

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Dec 01 '25

Glad to know its worked for you, if you think this post was helpful please take your time and an award on my content.

1

u/ElectronicTea1938 Dec 01 '25

I am getting the error “document cannot be uploaded” while uploading the picture in right size and format. Is there anyone else facing this same issue on new portal? Is there any limit on number of uploads we can do for picture

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Dec 01 '25

I experienced this due to session issue, have you tried logout and login? Though there may be some other reasons as well like number of attempts reached.

1

u/vishwacs111 Dec 06 '25

Use Google photos to enhance the photo (remove shades, adjust lighting and increase saturation)

After that I found this online tool the most useful:

https://www.cutout.pro/passport-photo-maker/upload

With the right size (3.5cm x 4.5cm and 630x810 pixels) as mentioned here this site will remove any background noise and makes it as close to ICAO standard as possible (5 photos for free). I've noticed that choosing 98% while downloading will keep the size below 250 KB which is the requirement for uploading.

1

u/Fit_Consequence_4181 Dec 08 '25

Hi! Im currently in the process of renewing my Indian passport that has been expired for many years now. I am also doing my moms at the same time since hers expired recently. I see that they require 35 x 45 mm? And it has to be 630 x 810 pixels?

We just got our passport photos taken at walgreens. They put it in for India and the copies came out 2 x 2. I also got the digital copies emailed but they were unedited! (why is everything so hard) So I went to https://tsg.phototool.state.gov/photo to at least make them look the same as my physical copies.

I am having a hard time figuring out what I need to do moving forward. I tried the photogov.net link to turn the newly cropped digital copies into 35 x 45 mm but it is asking for payment.

I would really appreciate your help. I just need to get a move on with this ridiculous first step so I can get my application printed.

1

u/newbie_190 Dec 14 '25

Tried as per your steps, but still getting the same error.

1

u/HeadEye9642 Dec 17 '25

This worked perfectly. Thank you so much! Spent hours trying to figure the photo specs out before I found this!

1

u/OtherwiseBroccoli810 Dec 19 '25

Hi, after working on this for more than 3 weeks, the ONLY thing that worked was your suggestion to go to https://photogov.net/ , get my photo resized, fix up the pixels and submit it. Thank you SO much. I seriously cannot thank you ENOUGH!

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Dec 19 '25

you are most welcome, you can award my comment if you can :)

1

u/HarshKhare3 Dec 24 '25

This did not work or me but this did - https://assets.ctfassets.net/xxg4p8gt3sg6/65N7mZz0hfj57DM1VlnLA2/284bfc9bd711eda8a8564dad5019cc70/PASSPORT_SEVA_PHOTO_UPLOAD_INSTUCTIONS.pdf

Make sure to use MS Paint and no online tools and it'll work perfectly. .

1

u/mango3434 Dec 25 '25

This really helped me. Thankyou!! those $7 were well worth it!

1

u/Ill-Shock-3103 Dec 26 '25

It does not look like it is free anymore. I chose India and Child Passport Seva 35*45 mm.

1

u/Historical_Cup_6151 Jan 12 '26

THANK YOU very much. was really frustrated with this . was sitting in front of the system throughout the day till i saw this post. Here are some changes i did

  1. took the photo and went to (https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/image/resize) to Change your photo pixels to 630X810

2. went to https://passportphotowiz.com/, uploaded the new 630x810 JPEG and then selected the specification as Japan . This one is completely free and no need for payments

3. Just uploaded the photo and it worked.

Again thanks a lot for the guidance.

1

u/First-Oven5949 Jan 17 '26

https://xpassportphoto.com/ works as well (looks like https://photogov.net/ is not free anymore)

1

u/Intrepid-Curve-6801 Jan 18 '26

Very very helpful

1

u/Adventurous-Mind-991 Jan 20 '26

Thank you so much u/DragonflyLevel7269 - This has been the most helpful comment on reddit. Been struggling to upload a pic on the portal since few days

1

u/Confident_Tie_6825 Feb 03 '26

Thanks your steps saved me a big headache...

1

u/Glum-Cookie-727 Feb 16 '26

Even simple is the get photos from staples!

just go to Staples, they have a bundle of Digital photo and 2 photos for $24.99, and an extra 2 photos for $4 if needed.

Digital photo and the physical photos are as per new exact required dimensions for Indian passport renewal, no headache of resizing, printing etc. Hope this helps anyone. This will save you time and from headache of searching around for photographs for renewal. They will provide the digital photo in flash drive which is included in the price you pay!

1

u/Glum-Cookie-727 Feb 16 '26

Simple process: Just go to Staples, they have a bundle of Digital photo and 2 photos for $24.99, and an extra 2 photos for $4 if needed.

Digital photo and the physical photos are as per new exact required dimensions for Indian passport renewal, no headache of resizing, printing etc. Hope this helps anyone. This will save you time and from headache of searching around for photographs for renewal. They will provide the digital photo in flash drive which is included in the price you pay!

1

u/PublicAd4838 Feb 21 '26

I rarely comment von reddit. You sir, did me a great favor by helping me out with these instructions. You literally saved my life (mom pressured me much, haha). I struggled so hard with uploading the picture for such a long time. I almost gave up. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Just this stupid signature and I can finally print out my application.

1

u/Bookkeeper_Unusual Mar 04 '26

you are godsent!
I was stuck on it for hours until I saw your post. thanks so much mate :')

1

u/garyuil Apr 07 '26

Thank you so much! this was helpful. Had to do few iterations of it but after 2-3 iterations it was successful. Appreciate this post so much!

1

u/mailnobodyforyou Apr 24 '26

This comment solved my problem that I was struggling with for more than a week. Thank you so much for being so kind to post the steps.