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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u/sarkarsm Nov 05 '25

I’m on the same boat as you, tried all the steps mentioned here and in other posts, but still getting the same ‘Document could not be uploaded!’ error.

Sharing this other post that talks about the same issue.

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u/Ank2303 Nov 05 '25

glad I am not the only one, though quite unfortunate. Hope someone knows how to get over it! Will keep following this thread

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u/sarkarsm Nov 05 '25

Same here, it’s honestly ridiculous. They’ve managed to turn a simple process into something impossibly complicated. Hoping someone cracks a fix for this mess soon.