🇮🇳 → 🇬🇧

UK Visa Photo from India (35×45mm Standard Visitor)

Updated May 2026 · For Indian applicants · UK Standard Visitor visa (not ETA)

⚠ Indians need full visa, NOT ETA

The UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation, GBP 20) is for visa-exempt nationalities. India is on the visa-required list — you need a full Standard Visitor visa with VFS Global biometric appointment, physical photo, GBP 115 fee, and ~3 weeks processing.

UK Standard Visitor visa photos are 35×45 mm with plain cream or light grey background, per HM Passport Office. For Indian applicants the format is identical at all 11 VFS Global UK visa centres in India — Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Goa, and Cochin.

Spec at a glance

Size	35 × 45 mm
Pixels (300 DPI)	413 × 531 px
Background	Plain cream or light grey (UK unique)
Face height (chin to crown)	29-34 mm (70-80% of frame)
Glasses	Not allowed (banned 2018)
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed
File format (online portal)	JPEG / PNG, 50 KB - 10 MB
Photo age	Last 6 months

VFS Global UK visa application centres in India

VFS Global operates UK visa application centres in 11 Indian cities. Visit the nearest centre for your biometric appointment:

Mumbai

New Delhi

Bengaluru

Chennai

Kolkata

Hyderabad

Ahmedabad

Pune

Chandigarh

Goa

Cochin

Where to get the photo in India

VFS Global on-site photo service (INR 350-500). Most convenient. The photographer at the centre knows the UK 35×45 mm cream/grey spec exactly. No risk of wrong size or background.
Local studio (INR 100-300) — if they know UK visa spec. Specify "UK visa 35×45 mm, cream or light grey background, ICAO biometric, no glasses, neutral expression". Indian studios default to passport white background and need explicit instructions.
Free online tool at home (INR 0). IDPhotoSnap UK visa tool generates a 35×45 mm photo with correct cream/grey background plus a print-ready PDF with 6 photos per A4 sheet. 30 seconds, no upload to our server, no signup. Save for the GBP 115 visa fee.

Common rejection reasons for Indian applicants

Wrong background colour — Indian passport photos use white; UK accepts cream or light grey but rejects off-white tinted or patterned backgrounds.
Glasses worn — banned 2018, no exceptions.
Face too small in frame — must be 70-80% (29-34 mm chin to crown).
Indian passport size used directly — same 35×45 mm but background colour is wrong.
Smiling or open mouth — UK requires strict neutral.
Photo too old — must be within last 6 months.

Frequently asked questions

What is the UK visa photo size for Indian applicants?

UK Standard Visitor visa photos are 35×45 mm with a plain cream or light grey background — the same format as a UK passport photo. The same spec applies at every VFS Global UK visa application centre in India: Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Goa, and Cochin.

Do I need a UK ETA or a Standard Visitor visa as an Indian citizen?

Indian citizens need a Standard Visitor visa, NOT an ETA. The UK ETA system (Electronic Travel Authorisation, GBP 20 since April 2026) is for ~85 visa-exempt nationalities including the US, EU, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Gulf states, and others. Indian passport holders are on the visa-required list and must complete a full visa application: online form + biometric appointment at VFS Global + photo + fee (GBP 115 for 6-month single-entry standard visitor).

How is the UK visa photo different from an Indian passport photo?

Size and dimensions are similar — Indian passport is 35×45 mm and UK visa is 35×45 mm. However, the UK accepts cream or light grey background (unique among most countries), while Indian passport requires plain white. The biometric rules also differ slightly: UK banned glasses since 2018, expressions stricter. Use a fresh photo specifically for the UK Standard Visitor visa application — do not bring an Indian passport photo as is.

Where can I get a UK visa photo in India?

Three options: (1) VFS Global on-site photo service at any of the 11 UK visa application centres across India (INR 350-500). Photographer knows the UK cream/grey background spec. (2) Local studio at INR 100-300 — specify "UK visa 35×45 mm, cream or light grey background, no glasses". Most Indian studios default to passport white background and need explicit instructions. (3) Free online tool at home — IDPhotoSnap generates a UK-compliant 35×45 mm JPEG with correct background + print-ready PDF in 30 seconds, no upload, no signup.

Where exactly are VFS Global UK visa application centres in India?

VFS Global operates UK visa application centres in 11 Indian cities: Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Goa, Cochin. All accept the same 35×45 mm UK Standard Visitor visa photo spec. Biometric appointments are mandatory — your biometric data (fingerprints and digital photo) is captured at the VFS centre as part of the application.

Can I wear glasses in a UK visa photo?

No. HM Passport Office banned glasses in UK biometric photos since 2018 — no medical or religious exceptions for ordinary glasses. Remove them for the photo session.

How many UK visa photos do I need at the VFS Global appointment?

UK Standard Visitor visa applications typically require 1-2 photos at the VFS Global biometric appointment, plus a digital upload during the online application. Our print-ready PDF lays out 6 photos per A4 sheet — extra copies useful for any re-application within 6 months.

What is the UK visa fee from India in 2026?

UK Standard Visitor visa from India in 2026: GBP 115 for 6-month single-entry, GBP 432 for 2-year multi-entry, GBP 798 for 5-year, GBP 998 for 10-year. The visa fee is separate from the VFS Global service fee (~INR 700-1500). Decision typically takes 3 weeks. Premium services (priority and super priority) cost extra.

Free UK Standard Visitor visa photo tool

Generate a 35×45 mm UK-compliant photo with cream or light grey background. Free, browser-only, no signup.

Open UK visa photo tool →