What size photo do I need for an Australian visa from India?

35×45mm — this is different from the Indian passport photo which is 51×51mm (2×2 inches). You cannot reuse your Indian passport photo for an Australian visa application.

Can I use my Indian passport photo for an Australian visa?

No. Indian passport photos are 51×51mm (square). Australian visa photos are 35×45mm (rectangular). The sizes are completely different. You need a new photo in the correct format.

Can I wear glasses in my Australian visa photo?

No. Australia does not permit glasses in visa photos. This catches many Indian applicants off guard because Indian passport rules are more lenient on glasses. Remove all glasses before taking your photo.

Where do I apply for an Australian visa in India?

Most applications are lodged online through ImmiAccount (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au). For biometrics, visit VFS Global centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, or Kolkata. The Australian High Commission is in New Delhi.

What are the digital photo specs for ImmiAccount?

JPEG format, minimum 420×540 pixels, file size between 50KB and 500KB. The photo must not be a scan of a printed photo.

How much does an Australian visa photo cost in India?

Photo studios near VFS centres charge ₹200-500. Our online tool costs ₹83 ($1 USD) and produces both the digital file for ImmiAccount and a printable 35×45mm sheet.

What Australian visa types do Indians commonly apply for?

Student visa (subclass 500) is the most popular — India is the top source of Australian student visas. Others include Skilled Worker (subclass 482/494), Tourist (subclass 600), and Partner visa. All use the same 35×45mm photo.

Australia Visa Photo Requirements for Indians: Size & Specs (2026)

Size	35 × 45mm (NOT 51×51mm like Indian passport)
Background	White or light grey
Glasses	Not permitted
Expression	Neutral only — no smiling
Digital upload	420×540px min, JPEG, 50KB–500KB
Recency	Within last 6 months

Different Size, Different Rules

This is the most important thing to understand: Indian passport photos and Australian visa photos are completely different sizes.

Indian passport: 51×51mm (2×2 inches) — square format
Australian visa: 35×45mm — rectangular format

Indian photo studios that are used to printing passport photos will default to the 51×51mm size. If you walk in and say “passport photo,” you’ll get the wrong format. You must specifically ask for 35×45mm Australian visa format.

Beyond the size difference, Australia has stricter rules on two points:

No glasses at all. India is lenient on prescription glasses in passport photos. Australia is not — remove all glasses before taking your photo.
No smiling. Australia requires a completely neutral expression with your mouth closed. Not even a slight smile.

Do NOT reuse your Indian passport photo

Your Indian passport photo is 51×51mm (square). The Australian visa requires 35×45mm (rectangle). These are fundamentally different formats — you cannot crop one into the other without losing compliance. Take a new photo in the correct size.

What Australia Accepts and Rejects

Will be rejected

✕ Glasses of any kind (prescription or sunglasses)
✕ Smiling or open mouth
✕ 51×51mm Indian passport size (wrong format)
✕ Shadows on face or background
✕ Hats, caps, or non-religious headwear
✕ Photo older than 6 months
✕ Filters or digital editing

Accepted

✓ Neutral expression, mouth closed
✓ White or light grey background
✓ Religious headwear (face must be fully visible)
✓ Natural minimal makeup
✓ Hair pulled back from face

ImmiAccount Digital Photo Requirements

Most Australian visa applications from India are submitted online through ImmiAccount (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au). The digital upload requirements:

File format: JPEG only
Resolution: Minimum 420×540 pixels
File size: 50KB to 500KB
Orientation: Portrait (taller than wide)
Background: White or light grey, no patterns or shadows
Colour only — black and white photos are not accepted

Our tool automatically formats your photo to ImmiAccount specifications and compresses it to the correct file size.

Popular Australian Visas for Indians

India is the number one source country for Australian student visas. Here are the most common visa types Indian applicants apply for:

Student Visa (subclass 500) — The most popular route. Requires a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from an Australian institution. Processing time is typically 4-8 weeks.
Skilled Worker Visa (subclass 482/494) — Employer-sponsored work visas for skilled professionals. Requires employer nomination and skills assessment.
Tourist Visa (subclass 600) — For visiting family or travel. Processing from India takes 20-40 days on average.
Partner Visa (subclass 309/100) — For partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents. Long processing times — plan 12-24 months.

All visa subclasses use the same 35×45mm photo requirement.

Where to Apply: VFS Global in India

Online (most applications): Lodge through ImmiAccount — Australia’s online visa portal. Upload your digital photo here.

VFS Global centres handle biometrics collection and document submission. Locations across India:

New Delhi — Primary centre, closest to the Australian High Commission
Mumbai — Serves western India
Chennai — Serves southern India
Bengaluru — Serves Karnataka region
Hyderabad — Serves Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
Kolkata — Serves eastern India

Book your VFS appointment through the VFS Global website. Slots fill up quickly during student visa season (June-August), so book early.

Student visa tip

If you’re applying for a student visa (subclass 500), submit your application as soon as you receive your CoE. Processing times spike during peak season. Having your compliant photo ready before you start the application saves time.

Common Mistakes Indian Applicants Make

Using Indian passport size (51×51mm) instead of 35×45mm. This is the single biggest mistake. Indian photo studios default to the Indian passport format. Specifically ask for “35×45mm Australian visa size.”
Wearing glasses. Indian passport rules are lenient on prescription glasses. Australian visa rules are not — all glasses must be removed.
Smiling in the photo. Indian passport photos allow a neutral-to-mild expression. Australia requires a strictly neutral expression with mouth closed.
Background colour mismatch. India accepts “white or light-coloured” backgrounds. Australia specifically requires white or light grey — cream or off-white may be flagged.
Photo studio giving the wrong digital format. Many Indian studios provide photos in formats that don’t match ImmiAccount requirements. Ask for JPEG, at least 420×540 pixels, and verify the dimensions before paying.

Where to Get Your Photo in India

Method	Price	Time
Online tool + self print	~₹83 ($1)	3 minutes
Photo studio (near VFS centre)	₹200-500	15-30 min
VFS Global photo service	₹300-500	At appointment

If you go to a local studio, tell them explicitly: “Australian visa photo, 35×45mm, NOT Indian passport size, no glasses, neutral expression, white background.” Repeat the size — studios will default to 51×51mm if you just say “visa photo.”

Timeline reminder

Start your photo and visa application well in advance. Student visa (subclass 500) processing from India takes 4-8 weeks on average. Tourist visas take 20-40 business days. Skilled worker visas can take several months. Don’t wait until the last minute.

Sources: Australian Department of Home Affairs — Photo Requirements, VFS Global India

Australia Visa Photo Requirements for Indian Applicants