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Photo Guidelines
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Things to note

• A new photograph must be submitted when applying for a passport. 

• Your photograph must meet ICA’s requirements (see details below). Failure to meet these requirements can delay your application or result in its rejection.

• Your photograph must not be altered or enhanced in any way. This includes the modification of facial features and/or the usage of photo editing software.


Q1:        Can I use a photograph taken with my mobile phone for a passport or identity card application?
A1:   We recommend that you download and use mobile apps that are specifically designed to take photographs for passport or identity card applications. These apps usually come with features that will help you take photographs in the required dimensions. Some suggested search-words you can use on the Android Play Store or Apple App Store are ‘Singapore Passport’, ‘Singapore IC’ and ‘Photo’. The photograph will be accepted if it complies with our photo guidelines.
 
*Possible Apps include  “IC Photo Singapore”, “Passport Size Photo Maker” or “Passport Photo ID Maker Studio – ID Photo Editor”.
 
Please note that your photograph must not be altered or enhanced in any way. This includes the modification of facial features and/or the usage of photo editing software.
 
*These apps are based on customers’ feedback, who found them useful. They are not endorsed by ICA in any way.  
  
Q2: Can I take a selfie with my mobile phone for a passport or identity card application?
A2:   We do not recommend selfie as the result is usually not ideal and will cause delay to your application. We recommend that that you ask someone to help you take the photo if you are using your mobile phone camera. Do familiarise with our photo guidelines first.

 


Requirements

  • Taken within the last 3 months
  • Clear and in focus, 35mm wide by 45mm high, without any borders
  • In colour taken against a plain white background without shadows
  • Avoid white headgear and plain white clothing (headgear worn in accordance with religious or racial customs is acceptable but must not hide any facial features)
  • Full face with the upper shoulders visible, facing forward with eyes open
  • Hair must not cover the eyebrows or the eyes
  • Even exposure (must not be taken under direct lighting)
  • Spectacle frames must not cover part of the eyes
  • Spectacle lenses must not reflect or glare
  • You must look at the camera with a neutral expression and with mouth closed.

 


Additional requirements

FunctionImage file formatFile size no more than
Application for passportjpg, jpeg or png file extension2 MB
Re-registration for identity cardjpg, jpeg or png file extension2 MB
Application for permanent residencejpg or jpeg file extension1 MB
All other applicationsjpg file extension60 KB

Dos and Don'ts

Have an even exposure (must not be taken under direct lighting) images_photoguidelines_light_exposure
Hair must not cover eyebrow or eyes images_photoguidelines_hair
Spectacle frame should not cover part of the eyes. Lenses should not have reflections/glare images_photoguidelines_specs
Full face with upper shoulders seen, facing forward with eyes open images_photoguidelines_fullface
In colour taken against plain white background without shadows images_photoguidelines_background
You should face the camera directly images_photoguidelines_facecamera