Australia Visa Photo from India (35×45mm DFAT)
Updated May 2026 · For Indian applicants · Visitor (600), Student (500), Work (482), Skilled (189) all subclasses
⚠ Same dimensions as Indian passport — но stricter rules
Indian passport is 35×45 mm. Australia visa is also 35×45 mm. But DFAT requires pure white background (Indian passport accepts off-white) and ImmiAccount portal needs minimum 900×1125 pixel JPEG. Reusing Indian passport photo often fails background check.
Australia visa photos are 35×45 mm with plain white background, per DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade). For Indian applicants the format is identical to the Indian passport size but with stricter background and biometric rules. Same spec at all 10+ VFS Global AVAC (Australian Visa Application Centre) locations in India.
Spec at a glance
| Size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Pixels (300 DPI minimum) | 900 × 1125 px minimum (ImmiAccount) |
| Background | Plain white or light grey (DFAT) |
| Face height (chin to crown) | 32 - 36 mm (70-80% of frame) |
| Glasses | Not allowed (banned 2016) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| File format (ImmiAccount) | JPEG, 500 KB - 5 MB |
| Photo age | Last 6 months |
VFS Global AVAC centres in India
Australian Visa Application Centres in India for biometric appointments:
Common visa subclasses Indians apply for
- Subclass 500 — Student visa (most common for India): study at Australian institutions
- Subclass 600 — Visitor visa: tourism, family visit, short-term business
- Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage: employer-sponsored work
- Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent: points-based permanent migration
- Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated: state-nominated migration
- Subclass 186 — Employer Sponsored permanent
- Subclass 309/100 — Partner / Spouse
All subclasses use the same 35×45 mm photo spec.
Where to get the photo in India
- VFS Global AVAC on-site photo service (INR 350-600). Photographer knows DFAT 35×45 mm spec exactly.
- Local studio (INR 100-300). Specify "Australia visa 35×45 mm, pure white background, DFAT compliant, no glasses". Indian studios commonly use off-white that fails DFAT requirement.
- Free online tool at home (INR 0). IDPhotoSnap Australia visa tool generates 35×45 mm DFAT-compliant photo с pure white background + ImmiAccount-ready JPEG (1200×1500 px) + print-ready PDF.
Common rejection reasons for Indian applicants
- Off-white background — Indian studios commonly use slightly off-white; DFAT requires pure white. Most common rejection.
- Pixel dimensions too small — ImmiAccount minimum 900×1125 px. Most photo tools default to 600×600 or similar.
- Photo too old — must be within last 6 months.
- Glasses worn — banned 2016.
- Face height out of range — DFAT strict on 32-36 mm chin-to-crown.
- Smiling or open mouth — strict neutral expression.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the Australia visa photo size for Indian applicants?
Australia visa photos are 35×45 mm with a plain white or light grey background, per DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade). The same dimensions as Indian passport photo but DFAT requires plain white background and stricter biometric rules. ImmiAccount online portal requires JPEG at minimum 900×1125 pixels. Format applies at all VFS Global AVAC (Australian Visa Application Centre) locations across India.
Which Australia visa subclasses does this photo work for?
The 35×45 mm DFAT photo applies to ALL Australian visa subclasses: Visitor visa (subclass 600), Student visa (500), Temporary Skill Shortage / work visa (482), Skilled Independent (189), Employer Sponsored (186), Skilled Nominated (190), Working Holiday (417/462 — India is not eligible for 462 but other visas yes), Partner / Spouse (309/100), Parent visa (103/143/173/884), Child visa (101/102). Same spec across all categories.
How is the Australia visa photo different from an Indian passport photo?
Dimensions are identical (both 35×45 mm) but DFAT has stricter requirements: plain white background only (Indian passport offices accept off-white), no glasses (banned since 2016), face must be 32-36 mm chin to crown (70-80% of frame), photo within last 6 months, JPEG minimum 900×1125 pixels for ImmiAccount upload. Reusing an Indian passport photo for an Australia visa often fails on background quality.
Where can I get an Australia visa photo in India?
Three options: (1) VFS Global AVAC on-site photo service at any of 10+ Australian Visa Application Centres in India (INR 350-600). Photographer knows the DFAT 35×45 mm spec exactly. (2) Local studio at INR 100-300 — specify "Australia visa 35×45 mm, pure white background, DFAT compliant, no glasses". Indian studios commonly use off-white. (3) Free online tool at home — IDPhotoSnap generates a 35×45 mm DFAT-compliant photo with pure white background + ImmiAccount-ready JPEG (1200×1500 px) in 30 seconds.
Where are VFS Global AVAC centres in India?
VFS Global operates Australian Visa Application Centres (AVAC) in 10+ Indian cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Cochin, Jalandhar, and Pune. All accept the same 35×45 mm DFAT photo spec. Biometric appointments are mandatory for most subclasses — fingerprints and digital photo captured at the AVAC.
How do I upload the photo to ImmiAccount?
ImmiAccount (Australian online immigration portal) accepts JPEG photos at minimum 900×1125 pixels. Our exported JPEG defaults to 1200×1500 pixels at 300 DPI, well above the minimum. File size cap is typically 500 KB to 5 MB depending on document type. Upload occurs during the online application before scheduling the AVAC biometric appointment.
Can I wear glasses in an Australia visa photo?
No. DFAT prohibited glasses in Australian biometric photos since 2016 — no medical or religious exceptions for ordinary glasses. Remove them for the photo session. Religious head covering is permitted as long as facial features (chin to forehead, both sides of face) are clearly visible.
How many photos do I need at the VFS Global AVAC appointment?
DFAT requires 1-2 photos at the VFS Global AVAC biometric appointment, plus the digital JPEG upload via ImmiAccount. Some subclasses (e.g., skilled migration with multiple dependents) require 1 photo per applicant. Our print-ready PDF lays out 6 photos per A4 sheet — extra copies useful for any re-application within 6 months.
Free Australia visa photo tool (DFAT compliant)
Generate 35×45 mm Australia visa photo с pure white background + ImmiAccount-ready JPEG (1200×1500 px) + print-ready PDF. Free, browser-only.
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