How to take a photo for an Indian visa? Rules

Features of issuing visas to India for Russians

Sample visa for Russians
Permission is obtained both using online services and personal visits to issuing centers and consulates. The fastest way is to entrust the matter to the specialists of the service center, the most budgetary is to do the registration yourself.

There are different types of visas:

urgent – needed for quick entry into the country;
tourist – provide the opportunity to travel around the country for 1-6 months;
workers - needed by people employed in companies with offices in India;
student cards - issued to citizens of the Russian Federation studying at universities in India;
transit – valid for 15 days, needed for flying across the country;
business – necessary for travelers invited by Indian businessmen;
Entry permits are permits for citizens of the Russian Federation who are in India for business, cultural exchange, etc.

To visit the resort of Goa and other cities, obtain a visa for a month, 12 months, 5 years. The duration of stay in the country during one trip with an e-visa cannot exceed 90 days.

Useful information about the visa regime for tourists from the Russian Federation:

It is possible to obtain a visa online. The validity period of the permit is from 30 days to 5 years. In this case, a stamp is placed in the international passport upon the tourist’s arrival at the airport in India.
The 30-day permit is valid from the moment you cross the Indian border. For entry permits valid for 1-5 years, the effective date is immediately after approval. When applying for a visa for 1-5 years, a tourist cannot stay in India for more than 90 days at a time.
A regular paper visa is valid from the moment of issue. Tourists are advised to request permission as close to their departure date to India as possible.
A single permit is issued for a one-time border crossing within a certain period. They call it a SINGLE visa. Violation of the terms of visiting the country may lead to further refusal to issue an entry permit.
A double permit (DOUBLE) gives the right to visit India twice, but also for a certain time. According to the old rules, a double-entry visa was issued for a period of 6 months; between visits, Russians were required to maintain a period of 2 months. The new rules have eliminated the two-month waiting period and you can enter India at any time. In order not to be included in the “prohibited list,” Russians are advised not to violate the time period for which a double-entry visa is issued.
Unlimited visa or multivisa (MULTIPLE). The permit gives the right to an unlimited number of entries into India for a period of 6 months to 5 years.

Multiple visas are issued in very rare cases when there are compelling reasons for being in the country.

Russians are asked to pay attention to a number of special requirements and rules for using the permit.

FAQ

What permission is needed for a child to travel as part of a children's ensemble?

If a child under 18 years of age travels to India accompanied by a third party, notarized permissions from both parents are required.

Photo requirements for India e-Visa

If you are planning to apply for an electronic visa to India, then you should consider the following points:

Photos are accepted only in JPEG format.
Photo size from 10 to 300 KB.
The face size should be 25-30 mm. You should maintain a serious expression, do not smile, do not squint your eyes, and keep your mouth closed.
Requirements for image quality, background and scaling are similar to those for a paper photo.
Retouching and processing images with special programs is strictly prohibited.

How to apply for an urgent visa to India

Flag of India
Urgent entry permit will be ready within 3 days. The only way to speed up the process is to obtain an electronic visa; it will be prepared within 24 hours.

Online permission is issued on the website onlinevc.ru. Filling out the form is available 24 hours a day. Copies of documents are attached to the application, services are paid by transfer from a card or bank account.

Documents for obtaining an urgent visa to India:

International passport. The document is valid for more than 6 months from the date of submission of the application for permission. The passport must have at least 2 blank pages for stamps. A high-quality copy of the pages is made from the international passport.
Questionnaire. Fill out the application in English. The original photo is pasted, and a scanned copy is sent in the online form.
Photos. You need 2 color photos where the face takes up at least 70% of the space. Clear, readable, no corners or blurry spots. Photos must be taken no earlier than six months before applying for a visa.
Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation. You need the original and copies of the pages where there are entries.
Originals and copies of round-trip tickets, room reservation confirmed by the hotel.

This is the main list of documents that are required from Russians at the Indian Embassy. Depending on the circumstances, a number of other forms may be requested:

If a private trip is planned, they will require a notarized copy of the invitation from the inviting party.
When exporting minors with one parent, you need a birth certificate (certified copy in English), permission (approval) from the mother or father to export the child to India.
Media employees need to take a certificate (copy in English) from their place of work and fill out a form for the media.

The same documents are needed to obtain a transit permit to enter India plus a permit from the country where the traveler is ultimately going.

To obtain permission in electronic form, documents are first collected, executed electronically, filled out a form, attached to the application and sent to the website. If an urgent visa is issued on paper, the package of documents is sent through a third party or independently to the Indian Embassy.

FAQ

If you are divorced from your spouse, does your child need permission to travel to India?

Yes, but only if the spouse has not been deprived of parental rights.

There are no significant reasons required for a tourist visa, but the traveler's identity and visa history are scrutinized very carefully. This is the standard procedure for issuing an entry permit.

India visa photo requirements (2021-2018)

It is worth immediately noting that a visa to India is issued both on paper and electronically, so the photo parameters will be slightly different in both cases. Let's first consider the basic requirements for paper photography.

Indian visa photo size. It is standard for official documents - 35x45 mm.
Face image. It should occupy from 70% to 80% of the total volume of the photograph and be located strictly in the center
.
The neck and upper shoulders should be included in the frame
. Head tilts, lowered chin or half-closed eyes are not allowed.
Photo quality. The image must be full color, sufficiently bright and contrasting
.
You need to take photographs using a high-resolution digital camera with excellent color rendition. Bends, cracks, abrasions, creases, stains in the photo are strictly prohibited
. Preference should be given to matte paper.
Background. It should be extremely monotonous and light, preferably white or light gray
. Uniform lighting is a prerequisite for high-quality photographs. There should be no shadows or highlights on the face.
Relevance of the photo. You must take a photograph no earlier than 180 days before your planned application to the Indian Embassy. If the photos have already been printed, and you have radically dyed your hair or changed your appearance, then don’t waste time and take a new photo.

Rules for obtaining a tourist visa for 3-6 months

Russian passports
A tourist permit is required for travelers who travel to India on their own. In all other cases, the worries are completely taken over by the agencies where the package tour is arranged.

Russians collect a standard package of documents:

International passport. It must have at least 2 blank pages. The validity of the document cannot expire earlier than 6 months from the date of arrival in India.
High-quality scanned copies or photocopies of the first pages of a foreign passport. The first to be considered are the pages containing basic information about the individual.
Original Russian passport and copies of pages containing any information. Most often, copies are made of the first pages and the one where registration is indicated.
A completed application form. The most convenient way is to take it from the embassy website, fill it out electronically, then print it out, sign under the photo and at the end. A total of 2 copies of the completed application form are required.
Photos. Size 35x40 mm, no corners, blurry spots. The face in the photo should occupy 70-80% of the main area. Photos are taken no earlier than six months before submitting your visa application.
For independent entry, please include a room reservation confirmed by the hotel and copies of round-trip tickets. If this is a tour from an agent, you need a company voucher and a confirmed hotel reservation.
A private visit is certified by a notarized copy of the invitation and a copy of the first pages of the passport of the person who invited the Russian.

To obtain a multiple-entry visa, a detailed travel itinerary for the countries you plan to visit other than India is provided. The route map is filled out in English, countries and possible stopover cities must be indicated.

Nuances of obtaining a tourist visa to India:

Minor children cannot travel with one parent without notarized permission from the second parent.
Travel in children's groups is prohibited without a power of attorney from the parents; the same rules apply if the child is accompanied by a third party, including an older brother/sister.
A tourist visa is issued without a certificate of salary and bank account status.
Submission of documents can be issued to a third party; to do this, fill out a regular power of attorney without notarization.

Experienced travelers know that the visa center can point out errors and ask for a sum to correct them. The amount is small, approximately 300 rubles. And in order to guarantee obtaining a long-term permit, the case is entrusted to specialists who cooperate with employees and know all the nuances of registration.

FAQ

Do guardians or adoptive parents need permission?

Guardians are required to obtain permission to remove the child from the guardianship council. Adoptive parents provide originals and copies of adoption documents.

useful links

Indian Embassy in Moscow

Official website: https://www.indianembassy.ru

Visa Center

Address: Moscow, Novy Arbat, building 2, 4th floor, office No. 412

Tel: (7495)-638-5654

(7495)-638-5654

Consulate of India in St. Petersburg

Official website: https://www.indianconsulate.ru

Email:

Consulate General of India in Vladivostok

Website: https://www.cgivladi.in/

Email address:

Reading time: 3 minutes.

The amazing exotic country of India welcomes its guests very hospitably. Tourists from all over the world come to this sunny republic to admire the historical and architectural monuments

.
However, when planning a trip, you need to worry about obtaining entry documents in advance. In this case, you should take into account the photo requirements for a visa to India, which are put forward by the immigration service of this state in 2021
.
Photo requirements are very strict. If the photo does not match them, the visa may be refused .

How to properly apply for a work visa to India

Work trip to India
Not everyone receives such permission, but only highly qualified specialists invited to work by an Indian company. Paperwork can take a long time; all aspects are considered:

At least a bachelor's level of education, experience and skills in a specific field.
Wages. For foreigners, the salary threshold cannot be lower than 20,000 US dollars per year.
Registration of a company, living conditions for the invited specialist. An employee is required to be a taxpayer and participate in public life.
Correctly completed additional documents. The list of standard forms is supplemented by an employment agreement, a petition from the employer, confirmation of the skills and education of the applicant, etc.

It is mandatory to look at where and how the inviting company operates and check for a copy of a foreign diploma.

The document will be checked very carefully, with inquiries regarding the place of study, etc.

How to get a student visa to India

Students in India
If a person wants to study at an Indian university, he should know that documents are submitted to accredited educational institutions, where foreigners are not given government-funded places. That is, studying in India for a Russian will always be paid, and you will have to pay for the entire first year at once and attach this certificate to the package of documents.

What are the nuances when applying for a student visa:

An original letter from the university confirming the student’s enrollment in the course. The letter indicates the specialization and the general duration of study. The document is signed by the rector, and a copy of the university license is sent along with the letter.
Payment certificate for the entire first year of study. Plus a statement from the student's bank account. If the duration of study does not exceed 12 months, the account must have 1000 US dollars; if the study period is longer than a year, then 2000 US dollars must be deposited into the account.

These forms are accompanied by all the certificates and photos required when applying for a tourist permit.

Where to take a photo

Usually professional photo salons know how to take a photo for an Indian visa according to the 2021 requirements, so you can contact them. But this is not always convenient: no time to travel around the city, temporarily limited in movement due to health reasons? Or maybe you only need an electronic version of the photo? Then it’s easier to prepare the photo yourself.

What about the requirements for photography? How to choose the right format and perform minimal retouching if you are not familiar with photo editors? The answer will be the “Photo for Documents Pro” program. Using this software, you can prepare images directly on your computer.

The Indian government allows e-visas. This means the ability to collect and send all documents and photographs (JPEG format, size up to 300 kb) without leaving home. In this case, the “Pro Document Photo” program will be especially useful!

How to prepare a photo with your own hands?

To take the correct photo for a visa in the Pro Document Photo program, just follow a few simple steps:

Step 1. Installing the software

Download the distribution and install the software on your computer, following the instructions. The process will take no more than a minute. Launch the program using the shortcut that appears on your desktop. Ready? Let's get started!

Step 2. Upload photo

The first step is to open the photo you are going to use. On the left, find the folder where the pictures are stored and select the one that suits your requirements. It will appear in the main program window.

Step 3. Marking

In the drop-down list on the right, find “Visa India” to get the required photo parameters. Go to the “Markup” tab. The program automatically determines the location of the eyes, chin, and top of the head. If the markup is incorrect, click the “Mark again” button and do it yourself, following the instructions. The photo now has the required dimensions.

Step 4. Photo processing

The next tab allows you to process the photo if necessary. Here you will find a variety of tools for changing the brightness and contrast of photos, retouching and much more.

Photo editing tools

Quite often you may need the “Background Replacement” tool. Visa photo requirements dictate the need for a light background. If in your photo, as in the example shown in the screenshots, it does not meet the standards, edit it. You can change the background of a photo in auto mode or with the manual correction tool. With a custom brush, you literally paint the background the color you want.

Manually replacing the background

In the screenshot below you can see the work of another group of tools - “Basic parameters”. It allows you to adjust colors and make the image brighter and clearer.

Setting processing parameters

Step 5. Print and save photos

Are you satisfied with the result of the treatment? Let's move on to printing. Read our article “Printing Photos on Documents” to find out which printer is best for you. If you only need an electronic version of the photo, simply save the resulting image by clicking on the image with the floppy disk in the main menu.

Photo printing.

Who will be given a business visa?

Business negotiations in India
The permit begins to be issued only after the applicant indicates the purpose of his trip. Visa officers issue a document in the following cases:

for a foreigner to create and run his own business;
if a person wants to study the requirements for a foreign businessman;
in case of holding meetings to support business;
if you need to meet with a partner, supplier, contractors in India;
for training company personnel in Indian branches;
for the transfer of developments, methods and technologies.

Conditions for registration are the presence of a standard package of documents plus confirmation of registration of an individual entrepreneur in the Russian Federation and a letter of petition from organizations in India and Russia.

How to obtain transit and other visas

Customs officer
Permission for a transit visa is issued for 15 days, and a stop in India cannot last more than 3 days.

The process of obtaining a permit at the embassy is considered the most difficult. Often, even the employees of visa centers and consulates themselves do not know the rules. An alternative would be to apply for a visa online. An electronic permit can be filled out on the embassy website if you have copies of your passport and scanned photographs.

Sailors will be issued a transit visa upon presentation of a letter about the work the person does on the ship, a statement from an agent of one of the countries and a seafarer's ID (with proof of identity).

As for other types of permits, they are issued upon provision of a standard package of documents plus:

a certified copy of the invitation from business partners, organizers of an exhibition, seminar, etc.;
letters confirming the enrollment of a Russian citizen in training courses, etc.

The applicant will be required to provide a certificate from a bank account - this is necessary to confirm that they are financially secure for the entire period of their stay in India.

As for the visa on arrival at Indian airports, it is a stamp in the passport. This visa is issued in the following cases:

a preliminary visa application has been submitted in electronic form;
tourists travel for a short period (up to 90 days) for sightseeing;
relatives or friends live in the country, to whom the traveler is heading;
a person goes to India for treatment, but the treatment period does not exceed 90 days;
if a businessman travels to the country for business purposes, but does not expect to stay in India for more than 3 months.

A visa on arrival can be issued for a period from 6 months to 5 years. The permit requirements are the same as for a standard tourist visa.

Facial expression

You cannot smile too widely; only a slight half-smile is acceptable.
You can’t squint or open your eyes unnaturally, everything should be natural.
You must keep your head straight.

This country of contrasts has always attracted many tourists from all over the world. Getting a visa to travel to India is not difficult

. When it comes to collecting documents and going to a photo studio, many people have a question: what size photo is required for an Indian visa?