What to wear for your Indian passport photo

Key Points Summary

Wear solid-colored clothing in dark, neutral tones.
Religious head coverings are allowed as long as your face remains fully visible.
Avoid uniforms, bright colors, patterns, and excessive accessories.
Use the Smartphone iD online passport photo tool for a guaranteed compliant photo on the first try.

Are you getting an Indian passport photo? This guide covers everything you need to know about the dress code, including what to wear, what to avoid, and expert tips for a professional-looking photo.

1. Key Points Summary:

2. What to wear for Indian passport photos

3. Choose plain and neutral-colored clothing

4. Avoid uniforms

5. Religious attire

6. Keep accessories minimal

7. Skip glasses

8. No headgear (unless for religious reasons)

9. Maintain a neat appearance

10. Avoid excessive makeup

11. Stick to white or off-white backgrounds

12. Wear culturally appropriate clothing

13. Tips for choosing the right outfit

14. Passport photos for babies: dos and don’ts

What to wear for Indian passport photos

When taking your Indian passport photo, it’s important to follow the official dress code guidelines to ensure your photo is accepted. Here are the key requirements:

Choose plain and neutral-colored clothing

Opt for solid, dark colors like black, navy blue, or dark grey. Avoid bright colors, patterns, or prints. Make sure your clothing contrasts with the white or off-white background.

Avoid uniforms

Clothing resembling military or police uniforms is not permitted in passport photos, unless you are required to wear it for your job.

Religious attire

Religious clothing like hijabs, turbans, and yarmulkes is allowed for passport photos, as long as your facial features are still fully visible. The head covering should not cast shadows on your face.

Keep accessories minimal

Jewelry and accessories should be kept simple and minimal. Avoid large earrings, necklaces, or anything that obscures your face or neck. Simple studs are usually fine.

Skip glasses

If you normally wear glasses, you’ll need to remove them for your passport photo. If you must wear glasses for medical reasons, make sure there is no glare on the lenses and that your eyes are fully visible.

No headgear (unless for religious reasons)

Hats, caps, and other headgear are not permitted unless you wear them daily for religious purposes. Hair accessories like headbands should also be avoided.

Maintain a neat appearance

Make sure your hair is neat and styled as you normally wear it. Any facial hair, like beards or mustaches, should be neatly trimmed. Your face and hair should not cast shadows in the photo.

Avoid excessive makeup

While basic makeup is allowed, avoid anything too heavy or unnatural looking. Your complexion should look as close to normal as possible.

Stick to white or off-white backgrounds

Your passport photo background must be plain white or off-white, with no patterns, textures, or shadows. Our photo tool makes it easy to get the perfect background.

Wear culturally appropriate clothing

Every day casual outfits are usually fine for passport photos, as long as they meet the other requirements. Traditional Indian attire like sarees, salwar suits, or kurtas is allowed as long as your face is fully visible.

Bonus tip! For both men and women, make sure your hairstyle does not cover your face or cast shadows. Tie back long hair or style it neatly behind your ears.

Tips for choosing the right outfit

When selecting your outfit for your passport photo, keep these tips in mind:

Choose clothing you feel comfortable and confident in
Make sure your top is plain, solid-colored, and fits well
Ensure any head coverings are neat and don’t cast shadows
Style your hair neatly away from your face
Skip big accessories and anything that will distract from your face

Passport photos for babies: dos and don’ts

If you need a passport photo for a baby or toddler, here are some guidelines to follow:

Do:

Dress them in plain, solid-colored clothing
Use a white or off-white sheet as a backdrop
Make sure their face is fully visible and not covered by clothing or blankets
Have them look straight at the camera with eyes open and mouth closed
Use our Online official photo generator Smartphone iD passport photo tool to ensure a compliant photo

Don’t:

Let them wear a hat or headband unless for religious or medical reasons
Use patterned or colorful backdrops
Submit a photo with their eyes closed or mouth open
Let them hold a toy or pacifier

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Can I wear traditional Indian attire like a saree, salwar suit, or kurta in my passport photo?

Yes, as long as your face is fully visible and your outfit meets the other dress code requirements like a plain background and no head coverings (unless for religious reasons).

2. Are religious head coverings like hijabs or turbans allowed?

Yes, head coverings worn for religious purposes are permitted as long as they don’t obscure your face or cast shadows. Your facial features must be fully visible.

3. What colors should I avoid wearing for a passport photo?

Avoid bright or fluorescent colors, as well as patterned or multicolored clothing. Stick to dark, neutral solids like black, navy, or grey that contrast with the background.

4. Can I wear makeup for my passport photo?

Basic, natural-looking makeup is allowed, but avoid anything too heavy or dramatic. Your complexion should appear as close to normal as possible.

5. Can I wear jewelry in my passport photo?

Keep accessories minimal and simple. Small earrings or necklaces are usually okay, but avoid anything large or distracting. You want the focus to be on your face.

6. Are glasses allowed in passport photos?

Glasses must be removed for passport photos unless you have a medical reason that requires you to wear them. In that case, your eyes must be fully visible without glare on the lenses.

7. Can I keep my beard or mustache for my passport photo?

Yes, facial hair is allowed as long as it is neatly groomed and styled as you normally wear it. Make sure it doesn’t obscure any facial features.

8. Can children wear colorful clothing for passport photos?

All passport photos, including children’s, should follow the same dress code of plain, neutral-colored clothing against a plain background. Avoid patterns, logos, or bright colors.

9. Is a tie or formal attire mandatory for Indian passport photos?

No, everyday casual clothing is acceptable as long as it meets the other dress code criteria. However, formal attire won’t negatively impact acceptance as long as it follows guidelines.

10. Can I use a scarf or dupatta in my photo?

You can wear a scarf or dupatta as long as it does not cover your face or hair. Make sure it’s plain-colored and not distracting from your facial features.

Sources

https://www.cgitoronto.gov.in/docs/1626187593Photograph%20Guidance%20for%20Applicants.pdf