May 29, 2026 · Visa Guide
e-Visa Photo Requirements for Asia: Country-by-Country Guide
Most Asian countries now offer e-visas with digital photo upload, removing the need to visit an embassy for many travellers. While the majority of portals accept a standard ICAO 35×45mm passport photo, file size limits, pixel minimums, and background rules vary between systems. This guide covers the requirements for eight key destinations.
Requirements change frequently
Always check the official e-visa portal before submitting. Portal requirements are updated without notice, and an outdated photo specification can cause your application to be rejected.
Photo Requirements by Country
| Country | e-Visa Portal | Photo Size | Background | Special Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India (e-Visa) | indianvisaonline.gov.in | 35×45mm / 200×200px min | White | Face 80% of frame; JPEG under 1 MB; square crop also accepted |
| Thailand (EVOA) | thaievoa.immigration.go.th | ICAO 35×45mm | White | JPEG under 2 MB; same spec as Thai passport photo |
| Vietnam (e-Visa) | evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn | 35×45mm | White | Passport-style; JPEG; separate portrait and scan of passport required |
| Indonesia (B211A) | molina.imigrasi.go.id | 35×45mm | White | Social/Tourism visa; digital upload; JPEG under 2 MB |
| Sri Lanka (ETA) | eta.gov.lk | ICAO 35×45mm | White | Standard passport-style; JPEG; Electronic Travel Authorisation |
| Cambodia (e-Visa) | evisa.gov.kh | 35×45mm | White | JPEG under 1 MB; no glasses; neutral expression |
| Japan | Embassy/consulate | ICAO 35×45mm | White | No tourist e-Visa for most nationalities; embassy application required |
| Singapore (IPA/LTVP) | eservices.ica.gov.sg | ICAO 35×45mm | White only | No off-white; ICA enforces white background strictly; online submission |
India e-Visa: Photo Details
The Indian e-Visa portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in) accepts both the standard ICAO 35×45mm format and a square crop with a minimum of 200×200 pixels. The face must occupy approximately 80% of the frame — a larger face-to-frame ratio than most European passport formats.
The background must be plain white. Light grey is not explicitly listed as acceptable, so white is the safest choice. The file must be JPEG format and under 1 MB. Heavy JPEG compression (which creates blocking artefacts) is a common cause of rejection; aim for a file between 200 KB and 900 KB for reliable upload quality.
Note: India's domestic passport photo (Passport Seva) uses the same ICAO 35×45mm format but the face size requirement for the e-Visa portal (80% of frame) is more demanding than the standard passport specification. Use the same photo if it meets both criteria.
Southeast Asia: Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia
Thailand EVOA (Electronic Visa on Arrival) and the standard Thai e-Visa accept the ICAO 35×45mm format. The portal accepts JPEG files up to 2 MB. Thailand launched its EVOA system to simplify short-stay applications; the photo requirements are identical to the standard Thai visa specification.
Vietnam's e-Visa portal requires separate uploads: a passport-style portrait photo (35×45mm, white background) and a scan of the photo page of your passport. Both must be JPEG. Keep each file under the portal's stated limit.
Indonesia's B211A (Social/Tourism) visa uses the Molina Immigration portal. The photo spec is standard ICAO 35×45mm with a white background in JPEG format under 2 MB. Indonesia's immigration authority updates portal requirements periodically; verify before applying.
Cambodia's e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.kh) has one of the stricter file size limits at under 1 MB. The spec is otherwise standard: 35×45mm, white background, no glasses, neutral expression.
Singapore and Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) uses the standard ICAO 35×45mm spec. The system is technically an authorisation rather than a visa, but a passport-style photo is required for the online application.
Singapore's ICA enforces white background more strictly than most — off-white and light grey are not listed as acceptable. This applies to IPA (In-Principle Approval) and LTVP (Long-Term Visit Pass) applications. Singapore's standard tourist entry does not require a visa for most Western nationalities, but immigration applications submitted via the ICA portal must use a pure white background.
File Preparation Tips for e-Visa Portals
Use sRGB JPEG
All Asian e-visa portals expect JPEG in the sRGB colour space. CMYK JPEGs, PNG, TIFF, or HEIC files are typically rejected or produce washed-out colours after conversion.
Keep file size within portal limits
Portal limits range from 500 KB (Cambodia) to 2 MB (Thailand, Indonesia). Aim for the middle of the permitted range — not the absolute maximum — to allow for re-upload if there is a connection issue.
Name the file as instructed
Some portals reject files with special characters, spaces, or non-ASCII names. Use simple names like "photo.jpg" or follow the portal's specific naming convention.
Check pixel dimensions
India requires a minimum of 200×200px; most portals do not specify a maximum but a 600×800px JPEG is a safe standard. Very large files (over 5 MB original before compression) may cause upload errors.
Prepare the photo before starting the application
Most e-visa portals have session timeouts. Have your JPEG ready and tested before opening the portal form — do not try to edit and resize during the application session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What photo size is required for an Indian e-Visa?
The Indian e-Visa portal requires a photo at least 200×200 pixels, with the face occupying approximately 80% of the frame. A 35×45mm ICAO-standard crop is generally accepted. The background must be white and the file size must be under 1 MB in JPEG format.
Can I use my passport photo for an Asian e-Visa application?
In most cases yes. The majority of Asian e-visa portals accept a standard ICAO 35×45mm passport photo with a white background. Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia all accept the same format. The main differences are file size limits and pixel minimums — check the specific portal before uploading.
What file format is required for Asian e-Visa photos?
JPEG (JPG) is the universal requirement across all Asian e-visa portals. Use the sRGB colour space — not CMYK. File size limits range from 500 KB (Cambodia) to 2 MB (Thailand). Name the file as instructed by each portal; some portals reject files named with special characters.
Does Japan offer an e-Visa?
Japan does not offer a standard tourist e-Visa for most nationalities. Applications are typically made at Japanese embassies or consulates. When a photo is required, the standard ICAO 35×45mm format with white background applies.
How do I prepare a photo for the Cambodia e-Visa?
The Cambodia e-Visa portal requires a 35×45mm passport-style photo on a white background, in JPEG format under 1 MB. The face must be centred, the expression neutral, and no glasses are permitted. Use sRGB colour space and avoid heavy compression.
What background colour is required for Asian e-Visa photos?
White is the standard background colour required by all Asian e-visa portals listed here. Off-white is often accepted in practice, but pure white is the safest choice. Coloured, patterned, or textured backgrounds are never accepted.
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