Singapore Passport Photo Samples: Correct vs Incorrect

Illustrated sample photos showing what ICA accepts and what it rejects, with the rule behind each one.

Based on official sources · last checked October 2026

Comparing your picture with good and bad Singapore passport photo samples is the quickest way to catch a problem before ICA does. Each sample below is marked correct or incorrect and explains the ICA rule it follows or breaks.

The same rules apply to photos for the NRIC, Singapore visas and ICA passes, so these samples are useful for any ICA application.

Correct Singapore passport photo samples

A correct photo shows your full face, looking straight at the camera, with a neutral expression, open eyes and even lighting on a plain white background.

Correct Plain white background, head straight, neutral expression, eyes open, even light.
Clear glasses, no glare Glasses are fine if the lenses are clear and untinted, the frames do not cover the eyes and there is no reflection.
Dark religious headwear Headwear worn for religious or racial custom is allowed. It must not hide the face and should be dark, not white.

Incorrect: background and lighting

Non-white backgrounds and shadows are among the most common reasons ICA gives for rejecting photos.

Coloured background ICA requires a white background. Blue, grey or patterned walls are rejected.
Shadows on face Uneven light leaves one side of the face dark and casts a shadow on the background.
Too dark Under-exposed photos lose facial detail. Face a window or use soft, even light.

Incorrect: face, expression and pose

Mirror-image selfie Front cameras flip the image, so hair partings and moles appear on the wrong side. ICA rejects laterally inverted photos.
Open-mouth smile Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed.
Head tilted Face the camera directly with your head straight, not tilted or turned.
Hair covering eyes Both eyes must be open and fully visible. Move hair away from your face.

Mirror images are easy to miss

A mirrored selfie looks normal to you because it matches what you see in a mirror. Check that your hair parting, any moles and asymmetric features are on the same side as in real life, or switch off the "mirror front camera" setting on your phone.

Incorrect: glasses and headwear

Glare on glasses Reflections on lenses hide the eyes and show up as patches when the photo is laser-engraved.
Tinted glasses Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not allowed. Your eyes must be clearly visible.
White headwear White headwear blends into the white background, so the outline of the head is lost.

Incorrect: image quality and framing

Your face from chin to crown should take up 25–35 mm of the 45 mm photo height, with the top of your shoulders visible.

Blurry or pixelated The photo must be in sharp focus. Avoid zooming, low light and heavy compression.
Head too small The face from chin to crown should fill 25–35 mm of the 45 mm height.
Head too large Leave space above the head and show the top of the shoulders.

Final checklist before you upload

  • 400 × 514 pixels (or 35 × 45 mm printed), up to 8 MB
  • Plain white background, no shadows
  • Taken within the last 3 months
  • Head straight, neutral expression, mouth closed
  • Eyes open and visible, no glare on glasses, no tinted lenses
  • Not mirrored, not edited, sharp and in focus

Want the full rules? Read the Singapore passport photo requirements or see why ICA rejects photos.

Samples are illustrations created for this guide to show each rule clearly; they are not real applicant photos.

Official sources

Last checked October 2026. Requirements and fees can change, so always confirm with the issuing agency before you apply. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency.