Singapore passport holders can visit many countries without a visa, but you still need a visa photo for an Indian e-Visa, for study, work or longer stays, or if you live in Singapore on another nationality's passport. The UK, Australia and New Zealand also ask for a photo with their electronic travel authorisations. Each country sets its own photo size, so a Singapore passport photo cannot always be reused.
Visa photo sizes compared
| Country | Photo size | Digital / submission | Background | Taken within |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 45 × 35 mm | ETA: live photo in the app | Plain | 6 months |
| Canada | 35 × 45 mm (minimum) | Biometrics taken at VFS | White or light | 6 months |
| China | 33 × 48 mm | Uploaded to the online form | White | 6 months |
| India | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | Square JPEG upload | White or light | 6 months |
| Japan | 35 × 45 mm | Printed photo for VFS | White, no shadows | 6 months |
| Malaysia | 35 × 50 mm | eVISA upload | White (blue on eVISA) | Recent |
| New Zealand | 35 × 45 mm (paper only) | 3:4 portrait JPG | Plain, neutral | 6 months |
| Schengen (EU) | 35–40 × 45 mm | Printed biometric photo | White | 3–6 months |
| South Korea | 35 × 45 mm | K-ETA: under 700 × 700 px | White | 6 months |
| Taiwan | 45 × 35 mm | Printed photos | White | 6 months |
| Thailand | Passport style | e-Visa upload | White | 6 months |
| United Kingdom | Not needed | At least 600 × 750 px | Plain, light-coloured | — |
| United States | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 600–1200 px square | White or off-white | 6 months |
| Vietnam | 4 × 6 cm | e-Visa upload | White | Recent |
One photo will not fit every visa
The US and India ask for a square photo, China, Vietnam and Malaysia for taller ones, and many others for roughly the same 35 × 45 mm size as Singapore. Make a separate photo for each application rather than stretching one image.
Travel authorisations that need a photo
Several visa-free destinations now ask Singaporeans to apply online before they travel. Some of these electronic travel authorisations need a face photo.
| Destination | Authorisation | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | ETA | Yes: taken in the app or uploaded |
| Australia | ETA (subclass 601) | Yes: live photo in the app |
| New Zealand | NZeTA | Yes: uploaded or taken in the app |
| South Korea | K-ETA | Singaporeans exempt until 31 Dec 2026 |
| Canada | eTA (air travel) | No photo |
Make your visa photo
Pick your destination to read the full requirements or go straight to the photo maker, preset to that country's visa size.
Australia visa photo
45 × 35 mmLive photo for the ETA app and 45 × 35 mm visitor visa photo.
Canada visa photo
35 × 45 mm (minimum)Visitor visa photo specs, and why the eTA needs no photo.
China visa photo
33 × 48 mm33 × 48 mm photo for Chinese visa applications in Singapore.
India visa photo
2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm)Square photo for the Indian e-Visa and 2 × 2 inch print for BLS.
Japan visa photo
35 × 45 mm45 × 35 mm photo for Japanese visa applications via VFS Singapore.
Malaysia visa photo
35 × 50 mm35 × 50 mm photo for the Malaysia eVISA and High Commission.
New Zealand visa photo
3:4 digitalOne set of photo rules for the NZeTA and New Zealand visas.
Schengen (EU) visa photo
35–40 × 45 mmBiometric photo for Schengen visas, and ETIAS for Singaporeans.
South Korea visa photo
35 × 45 mm35 × 45 mm photo for KVAC, plus K-ETA photo rules.
Taiwan visa photo
45 × 35 mmTwo 45 × 35 mm photos for the Taipei Representative Office.
Thailand visa photo
JPG ≤ 3 MBPassport-style photo for the Thai e-Visa, up to 3 MB.
United Kingdom visa photo
600 × 750 pxDigital photo for the UK ETA, and visa photos at the VFS centre.
United States visa photo
2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm)2 × 2 inch square photo for US visas and the DS-160.
Vietnam visa photo
4 × 6 cm4 × 6 cm photo for the Vietnam e-Visa, uploaded online.
General visa photo tips
- Check how recent the photo must be: most consulates ask for a photo taken within the last six months, some within three.
- Use a plain white background unless the country says otherwise.
- Remove glasses where the country asks you to (for example, the US, the UK, India and Vietnam), and avoid glare everywhere else.
- Follow the consulate or visa centre's current checklist. Requirements change, and the visa centre's instructions take priority.
Each country guide lists the official sources it is based on.