Short answer: in India you don't need to bring a photo for most UK visas. VFS Global takes your digital photo and fingerprints at the visa centre after you apply on GOV.UK (VFS Global India: at the UK visa centre). You need your own photo only if you're exempt from biometrics (VFS Global India: what to bring to the UK visa centre).
Read on the official pages below on 4 November 2026. Visa rules change, so check the official page before you apply.
How it works from India
- Apply and pay on GOV.UK, then book a VFS Global appointment in India (VFS Global India: at the UK visa centre).
- At the centre, staff take your fingerprints and a digital photo. Nothing may cover your face or eyes, and no head covering unless it is for religious or medical reasons (VFS Global India: at the UK visa centre).
- A child under 5 must come too and have a photo taken, but gives no fingerprints (VFS Global India: at the UK visa centre).
- If you are exempt from biometrics, bring one recent photo that meets UK Visas and Immigration's rules (VFS Global India: what to bring to the UK visa centre, GOV.UK: how to take a photo for a visa application).
Or make it at home. Picproved costs ₹199 for 3 photos (free while we launch) for one person's photo in every size you need, and it checks the size, background, head size and face rules before you save. The office still makes the final decision. Make your United Kingdom Visa / eVisa photo
Questions
- Do I need to upload a photo for a UK visitor visa from India?
- Usually not. Your photo is taken at the VFS centre when you give your fingerprints. Some online routes, such as the ETA, ask you to take or upload your own photo instead.
- What should I wear for the UK visa photo at VFS?
- Ordinary clothes, no sunglasses or tinted glasses, and nothing over your face. Tie back hair that covers your eyes.
Visa photos for Indians: other countries
Indian passport photo · OCI photo · All Indian documents
