A Singapore passport photo must be 35 mm wide by 45 mm high when printed, or 400 × 514 pixels when you upload it to ICA's online passport application. It needs a plain white background, a neutral expression and a recent likeness of you, taken within the last three months.
ICA bases its photo guidelines on international (ISO and ICAO) standards because your photo is used for facial recognition and is laser-engraved into the passport. A photo that does not meet the rules is the most common reason a passport application is delayed.
Singapore passport photo size and format
Use these measurements whether you upload a digital file or paste a printed photo on a paper form.
| Printed size | 35 mm wide × 45 mm high, no border |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 400 × 514 pixels (width × height) |
| File format | JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF |
| Maximum file size | 8 MB |
| Head size | 25–35 mm from chin to crown on a 45 mm photo |
| Background | Plain white |
| Colour | Colour photo, sharp and in focus |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 3 months |
| Print finish | Matte or semi-matte (non-reflective) photo paper |
Resizing is allowed, editing is not
You may crop and resize your photo to 400 × 514 pixels. You may not alter or enhance it, so no beauty filters, skin smoothing, background replacement that changes your outline, or changes to your facial features.
ICA photo guidelines: pose and expression
- Full face, looking straight at the camera with your head upright, not tilted or turned.
- Both edges of your face and the top of your shoulders must be visible. ICA's guidance also asks that your shoulders and hair are fully shown.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed. No smiling with teeth, frowning or raised eyebrows.
- Eyes open and clearly visible, with no hair across them and no red-eye.
- Only non-coloured contact lenses. Coloured or patterned lenses are not accepted.
Glasses in a Singapore passport photo
You can keep your spectacles on, as long as ICA can see your eyes clearly:
Do
- Clear, untinted lenses
- Frames that sit below your eyebrows and do not touch your eyes
- Tilt the frames slightly or move the light to remove reflections
Don't
- Sunglasses or tinted lenses
- Thick frames that cover any part of your eyes
- Glare or flash reflection on the lenses
Glare matters more than many people expect. ICA has explained that reflections on spectacles show up as patches when the photo is laser-engraved into the passport. If you cannot remove the glare, take your glasses off.
Headwear, hair and religious attire
Hats and caps are not allowed. Headwear is accepted only if you wear it habitually for religious or racial customs, and then:
- it must not hide your facial features, from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead and both edges of your face;
- it should be dark in colour. ICA's forms say religious headwear must not be white, because it would blend into the white background.
Keep hair away from your eyes. If your hair is long, it is fine for it to fall over your shoulders as long as your face and shoulders are visible.
Background, lighting and editing
- White background with no patterns, objects or shadows. ICA's overseas application form allows a light grey background for applicants with white hair; check with ICA if this applies to you.
- Even lighting across your face, without shadows on your face or behind you.
- Sharp and correctly exposed: not blurry, pixelated, too dark or washed out.
- Not mirrored. Front-facing phone cameras often flip the image. ICA rejects laterally inverted photos because features such as your hair parting and moles end up on the wrong side.
- Not altered with filters or editing software. Resizing and cropping are fine.
Correct and incorrect sample photos
These illustrated samples show what ICA accepts (green) and what it rejects (red).
See all correct and incorrect sample photos
Passport photos for babies and children
ICA does not publish a separate set of photo rules for children, so the same requirements apply at every age. Children under 16 receive a passport valid for five years, and a newborn's first passport is free if you apply through MyICA on or before the baby's first birthday. Read our baby passport photo guide for practical tips.
How to submit your Singapore passport photo
Applying in Singapore
Apply online through the ICA passport e-Service at go.gov.sg/passport, logging in with Singpass, and upload your digital photo (400 × 514 px, up to 8 MB). Family members can submit an application for you.
Applying from overseas
You can apply online, or fill in form IMM 11 OS, paste a printed 35 × 45 mm photo on it and submit it at a Singapore Overseas Mission.
Passport fees and processing time
| Online application | S$70 |
|---|---|
| Counter or overseas mission | S$80 |
| Processing time | Usually 1–2 weeks; up to 4 weeks if your photo does not meet the guidelines |
| Validity | 10 years (age 16 and above), 5 years (under 16) |
Fees as published by ICA when we last checked. Extra charges apply if you are replacing a lost or damaged passport.
Why ICA rejects passport photos
According to ICA, most unsuccessful photos have a non-white background, are mirror images, are not recent, have shadows or uneven brightness, or show glare on spectacles. Our guide to ICA passport photo rejections explains how to fix each one.
Singapore passport photo FAQ
A printed Singapore passport photo is 35 mm wide by 45 mm high with no border. For an online application through the ICA e-Service, upload a digital photo of 400 × 514 pixels.
Yes, if the lenses are clear and untinted, the frames do not cover any part of your eyes, and there is no glare or reflection on the lenses. Sunglasses and tinted glasses are not allowed.
No. ICA asks for a neutral expression with your mouth closed. A relaxed face with no teeth showing is safest.
The photo must have been taken within the last three months and must show how you look now.
You can, but ICA does not recommend selfies. Ask someone else to take the photo, or use a passport photo app, and make sure the image is not mirrored.
Official sources
- ICA: Photo guidelines
- ICA: Apply for a passport
- ICA: Overseas passport application form IMM 11 OS (PDF)
- ICA: Response on passport photo submissions (2022)
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.