OCI Photo & Signature Formatter
Prepare your OCI application photo and signature files online. PassportSelf can crop, resize and compress your files to the configured JPG dimensions and 500 KB upload limit.
Last updated: August 30, 2026 · Reviewed by PassportSelf
OCI photo size requirements
The OCI upload photo must be a square JPEG between 200 × 200 and 3500 × 3500 pixels, no larger than 500 KB. The physical guidance is a 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) color photo.
The photo should show the full face, front-facing, with eyes open, the head centered, and a plain light-colored background without distracting shadows. Do not retouch or artificially enhance the photograph. Always confirm current rules with the official OCI services portal.
OCI photo file size
The maximum OCI photo file size is 500 KB. If your photo is larger, PassportSelf compresses it automatically during export.
Phone photos are commonly 2–8 MB, so nearly every unedited photo needs compression before upload. You do not need a separate compressor website — the formatter handles it.
OCI signature size requirements
The signature file must be a JPEG between 200 × 67 and 3500 × 2500 pixels, no larger than 500 KB.
There is no single required final pixel size — any dimensions inside that range are technically valid. Sign on plain white paper, photograph or scan it, and crop out the excess whitespace.
How to reduce an OCI photo below 500 KB
Upload your photo to the formatter — it lowers JPEG quality gradually first, and reduces dimensions only when needed, never below 200 × 200 pixels.
- Upload your photo (JPG, PNG or HEIC).
- Crop it square using the head-position guides.
- The export step compresses it under 500 KB automatically and shows the final dimensions and file size.
How to resize an OCI signature
Upload a photo or scan of your signature, crop it with the rectangular frame, trim the whitespace, and download the compressed JPG.
The formatter validates the width and height independently against the 200 × 67 minimum and 3500 × 2500 maximum, and tells you exactly what is wrong if a limit is not met.
OCI JPG requirements
Both files must be JPEG/JPG. Convertible formats like PNG and HEIC are accepted as source files and converted — the final download is always .jpg.
Your handwriting is never redrawn or regenerated — only cropping, resizing, orientation and compression are applied.
OCI file name requirements
Filenames must contain alphanumeric characters only — letters A–Z and numbers 0–9, with no spaces, hyphens, underscores or dots in the base name.
Valid: OCIPhoto.jpg, Signature123.jpg. Invalid: OCI Photo.jpg, OCI_Photo.jpg, OCI-Photo.jpg. The formatter sanitizes names automatically.
How to prepare an OCI photo
Take a front-facing photo against a plain light wall, upload it, position your head with the on-screen guides, confirm the appearance checklist, and download the compliant JPG.
The photo-taking technique is the same as for a passport photo — see how to take a passport photo at home.
OCI photo background
Use a plain, light-colored background with no distracting shadows.
A white or off-white wall in even daylight works well — see the background guide for practical tips.
OCI photo head position
The head should be centered, showing the face from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, with a head height of roughly 25–35 mm on the 51 mm photo.
The formatter displays this as a live head-position guide while you crop.
Common OCI upload errors
Most rejected uploads fail on file size over 500 KB, non-square photos, dimensions outside the allowed range, wrong format, or filenames with spaces or symbols.
- File larger than 500 KB — compressed automatically here.
- Photo not square — the crop frame enforces an exact square.
- Image below 200 × 200 px — cannot be fixed by enlarging; retake at higher resolution.
- PNG/HEIC upload — converted to JPG on export.
- Filename like "OCI Photo.jpg" — sanitized to alphanumeric-only.
Formatted to the configured OCI upload specifications. Final acceptance is determined by the applicable government authority.
Frequently asked questions
What format does my OCI photo need to be?
JPEG or JPG. If you upload a PNG or HEIC photo, PassportSelf converts it — the final download is always a .jpg file.
What is the maximum OCI photo file size?
500 KB, based on the configured upload rule. PassportSelf compresses your photo automatically if it is larger.
What are the minimum OCI photo dimensions?
200 × 200 pixels. Images below this cannot be made compliant by enlarging — upload a higher-resolution photo instead.
What are the maximum OCI photo dimensions?
3500 × 3500 pixels. Larger images are scaled down automatically.
What is the minimum OCI signature size?
200 pixels wide × 67 pixels high.
What is the maximum OCI signature size?
3500 pixels wide × 2500 pixels high.
Can PassportSelf reduce my OCI image below 500 KB?
Yes. It first reduces JPEG quality gradually to preserve visual quality, and only reduces dimensions when quality reduction alone is not enough — never below the required minimums.
What characters can I use in my filename?
Letters A–Z and numbers 0–9 only. Spaces, hyphens, underscores and other symbols are removed automatically. Defaults: OCIPhoto.jpg and OCISignature.jpg.
What if a thumb impression is not possible?
The referenced application instruction states: if thumb impression is not possible, upload a blank page in the signature field. PassportSelf can generate a compliant plain-white blank JPEG for that case — use it only when the applicable instructions allow it.