The Straits Times
11 April 2022

ICA passport photo requirements based on international specifications

We refer to Ms Stella Kon's letter, "Extend ICA's efficiency to submission of passport photo" (April 6).

Ms Kon submitted her application for a passport on Oct 30 last year, and collected her passport on Nov 5.

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) passport photo requirements are based on specifications by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). ICA needs to ensure that Singapore passports comply with these specifications, so that they will be accepted by the immigration authorities overseas.

ICA adopts a multi-layered verification system to ensure that the submitted photo fulfils ISO and ICAO requirements. In particular, the need for a white background is so that there is a sharper contrast between the background and the applicant's facial image. This is not unique to Singapore, and is similarly applied in other countries such as the United States and Japan.

Ms Kon said her experience in submitting her photo to apply for the Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) was "a breeze", compared with her Singapore passport application. However, we would like to point out that the ETA is not a passport. Therefore, the photo submission requirements are likely to be different.

Singaporeans who are applying for a passport and choose to take a photo of themselves using their mobile device are advised to refer to the photo guidelines on ICA's website at https://ica.gov.sg/photo-guidelines

Applicants whose submitted photo does not meet the guidelines will need to submit a new photo.

Apart from photos with non-white backgrounds, other common problems include laterally inverted images and using photos which are not current. In addition, photos with uneven brightness or shadows on the applicant's face, or reflection or glare on the applicant's spectacles, may also be rejected as they can create inconsistent patches on the facial image when laser-engraved on the passport.

These issues, if left unchecked, may result in Singaporeans facing delays or even refusal of entry at immigration clearance overseas.

Patrick Ong
Head, Public Communications and Protocol
Corporate Communications and Service Division
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority

<Original Letter>

The Straits Times
6 April 2022

Extend ICA's efficiency to submission of passport photos

As many Singaporeans now head for the airport, I think many may have found obtaining the correct photo for the passport as frustrating as I did.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will refuse the photo if the background is not a pure featureless white.

I used my phone to take five different photos around the house and even against a sunlit white wall outside. None was accepted.

In the end I went out and found a photo booth, where I took four photos with a white background, then used my phone to take a digital picture of the photo to submit with my passport application.

This seems like a waste of time, expense and trouble.

In contrast, getting an Electronic Travel Authority to travel to Australia was a breeze. An app scans my passport, reads the microchip to fill in details, and prompts me to take a nice selfie with my phone, any plain light background will do.

Singapore is an outstanding leader in digital public services, one example being the efficient system for collecting passports. I hope ICA can extend the same efficiency to the submission of passport photos.

Stella Kon