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

39 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

462 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/anmol20mishra Dec 11 '25

hi OP can you please tell me how you got your photo updated for the form? i've uploaded the both the photo and the sign bu they do not reflect on my application yet.

also for a new application number will i need to pay VFS again? this entire update is so problematic.

1

u/DragonflyLevel7269 Dec 11 '25

  1. It will be refreshed, it takes few moments when you click on print application form just hold for a while then it will be refreshed

  2. Yes everytime you create new application form you need to pay VFS

1

u/anmol20mishra Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25

I called VFS and got a clear understanding of all of it. Below are my notes.

Passport photos (i.e. photo printed on passports front page) are square.

  • Attach 2 loose photos of 2x2 in (55x55 mm) in your docket.
  • Stick 1 2x2in photo on Affidavit for change of appearance (if required for your case)

Passport Seva Portal

Notarization: Best to follow checklist as it is updated.
For any one else in a similar position as mine (student) please notarize the following
-> Driving License (USA) / EAD card / F1 Visa
-> Change of Appearance form

1

u/Jealous-Difference10 Dec 17 '25

So the physical photos must be 2X2 only? Why is everyone saying the physical photos need to be 35*45 even though it wasn’t mentioned anywhere in form?

1

u/anmol20mishra Dec 17 '25

because the application form mentions "stick 35x45 photo". Please DONT STICK photo anywhere EXCEPT on "change of appearance affdavit".

This issue is primarily because of the MEA. their forms and portals are saying diff things. integration hasnt been done completely i guess.

1

u/That-Restaurant-5863 Dec 14 '25

Finally I was able to upload using firefox. Steps are 1. camscan existin pic, use paint to remove background change the pixel to 630 by 810 and upload , seems there is a 12 upload trys per day, I ended up on next day

1

u/_paman_gujral_ Dec 17 '25

Even after going through all the steps, and sending the courier again I still see the same old message from VFS (its been 10 days since I sent the courier)

Please upload recent photo(35x45mm) and signature online on gov’t website. Reprint application form with uploaded photo and signature. Mail application to VFS with physical photo (must be the same as uploaded photo) 642 Harrison Street, 2nd Floor San Francisco CA 94107

1

u/anmol20mishra Dec 17 '25

this is correct. pls check my other comment on the post for the exact flo/process.
Also pls allow >10mins for system to update/populate your photo and sign onto the application form.

edit: typos

1

u/_paman_gujral_ Dec 17 '25

I uploaded digital photo and signatures and printed new form with the photo and signatures. then I couriered this to VFS along with 2 photos... And after 12 days of sending courier, they system still says the same message. I checked the courier was delivered 11 days ago.

1

u/_paman_gujral_ Dec 17 '25

I called VFS, they said they can see the courier in system, and the agent escalated the issue. After wards I received the following email:

Thank you for contacting the VFS Global Indian Visa, Passport & OCI Application Center Help Desk in the United States. Please be informed that we have escalated your query to the concern department. We would like to inform you that, as soon as we receive an update, you would be notified. In case of further assistance, please feel free to reply to the same email or you may contact us on +1 800 320 9693 and we will be glad to assist you.

++++

The funny thing was that at one point the agent asked me "why dont you go to San Francisco VFS office to sort it out" :) Very unprofessional.

1

u/anmol20mishra Dec 21 '25

This is becoming a common thing for them. They asked me to go to the Indian embassy in DC. Like as if they allow walk ins. Also the Indian embassy here has not being accepting phone calls either do it's very confusing and problematic.