Singapore passport photo rules in plain words
ICA Singapore publishes the photo guidelines and form IMM(E)11. The printed photo is 35x45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) at 300 DPI. For the e-Service, the upload is 400x514 px, as JPG, PNG or HEIC, up to 8 MB (8192 KB).
- Head size: 25-35 mm from chin to crown.
- Background: plain white. If your hair is white, use a contrasting background.
- Glasses: allowed with no glare, and the frames must not cover the eyes.
- Head covering: religious reasons only, with the face fully visible. Religious headgear must not be white.
- Age of the photo: taken within the last 3 months.
The white hair and white headgear rules
Two rules catch people out. White hair against a white background looks like missing hair in the photo, so ICA asks for a contrasting background. And religious headgear must not be white, for the same reason. If either applies to you, plan the background and clothing before you take the photo.
How to take it at home with a phone
Face a plain wall in even light. Hold the phone at eye level, or have someone take it for you, and look straight at the lens with a neutral expression. Keep the frames of your glasses clear of your eyes, and watch for reflections.
Leave space around your head and shoulders, because the tool does the cropping.
Processing
The picture is processed in your browser and never uploaded. It is cropped to 35x45 mm, the background is made white and the head size is checked.
Common reasons for rejection
- A photo older than 3 months.
- A white or pale background that blends with white hair.
- White religious headgear.
- Frames that cover the eyes, or glare on the lenses.
- A head outside 25-35 mm.
- An upload that is not 400x514 px.
Printing and uploading
The submission is printed and digital, and one copy is listed. For a print, use 35x45 mm at 300 DPI on photo paper and check it with a ruler. For the e-Service, upload the 400x514 px file.
If an authority rejects the photo, you get a full refund.
Checking your photo before you submit
Look closely at the edges of the head in the preview. If your hair is light or white, make sure it stands out clearly from the background and does not fade into it. Confirm that the frames of your glasses sit away from your eyes and that no reflection crosses the lenses. Finally, keep a note of the date you took the photo, because the 3-month window is shorter than the limit for many other countries.