head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceImmigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore
Verified
Quick answer: A Singapore citizenship application photo must be 400 × 514 px. Plain white background. Head occupies 70–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Head height | 70–80% of photo height |
|---|---|
| Background | Plain white background. Make photo background white — Singapore citizenship application → |
| Pose | Strictly full face, head without rotation or tilt, shoulders level. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Clear glasses only, no reflections; sunglasses prohibited. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows on the face and background not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious, traditional, or medical reasons only; must not cast shadows on the face. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing, shoulders visible, without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| Digital resolution | 400 × 514 px |
| File format | JPG / JPEG / HEIC / HEIF / PNG |
| File size | max 8 MB Compress photo to 2 MB — Singapore citizenship application → |
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) lists a «passport-sized photo» in the document checklist for Singapore citizenship: «a coloured digital photograph taken recently in dimensions 400 × 514 pixels», «taken full face without headgear unless you wear a headgear habitually in accordance with religious or racial customs — the headgear must not hide your facial features», and «the photo background must be white in colour» — required of the applicant and of the sponsor, not of a non-applying spouse. The ICA Photo Guidelines add that «a new coloured photograph must be submitted when applying for a new application», that the online upload is «400 × 514 pixels» in «jpg, jpeg, heic, heif and png» up to «8 MB», and that a printed photograph for a hardcopy submission must be «on a matte or semi-matte finish (non-reflective)». The requirements «are based on specifications by ISO and ICAO»; «failure to meet these requirements can delay your application or result in its rejection». ICA «does not recommend a selfie» — ask someone to take the photo — and «the photograph must not be altered or enhanced in any way, including the modification of facial features or the use of photo-editing software».
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Singapore citizenship application applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| A photograph that is not 400 × 514 pixels, or a file that is not jpg, jpeg, heic, heif or png, or larger than 8 MB | A 400 × 514 pixel photo in jpg, jpeg, heic, heif or png of at most 8 MB. |
| A background that is not white, or a photograph that is not recent or not coloured | A recent coloured photograph on a white background. |
| Headgear that hides the facial features or is not habitually worn for religious or racial customs | A full face without headgear, or habitual headgear that leaves the features visible. |
| An altered or enhanced photograph, or a glossy print for a hardcopy submission | An unaltered photograph; a matte or semi-matte print for hardcopy. |
How to take it
Background: plain white
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 70–80 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to the required size.
Clear lenses only, no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
A Singapore citizenship application is made online with the ICA e-Services, uploading a coloured digital photograph of 400 × 514 pixels on a white background and the documents of the checklist.
ica.gov.sg — Reside, Study and Work in Singapore; e-Services
Coloured digital photograph, 400 × 514 pixels, white background, jpg/jpeg/heic/heif/png up to 8 MB.
Authority page| Authority | Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore |
|---|---|
| Source | Document checklist for Singapore Citizenship application — passport-sized photo; ICA Photo Guidelines |
| Verified |
Questions
A coloured digital photograph of 400 × 514 pixels, taken recently, full face, on a white background.
jpg, jpeg, heic, heif and png, up to 8 MB.
ICA does not recommend a selfie because the result is usually not ideal and delays the application; ask someone to take the photo.
You may resize it, but it must not be altered or enhanced in any way, including the modification of facial features or the use of photo-editing software.
The Singapore citizenship application photo must meet the authority requirements shown in the table above. The head must occupy 70–80% of the photo height. Naturalisation and citizenship certificate photos use the same biometric standard as Singapore passports.
Most citizenship authorities require photos taken within the last three to six months. Because citizenship documents are issued once and used for decades, submit a photo that genuinely reflects your current appearance, not a stylised portrait.
Plain white background. The photo will be printed on official documents and digitally archived — even minor background issues become permanent in the record. Use a flat, evenly lit wall with no objects or shadows.
Clear glasses only, no reflections; sunglasses prohibited. Citizenship documents are checked at immigration, banking and government offices over the document's lifetime. Removing glasses for the photo prevents future verification problems.
It does not need to be identical, but must show the same person clearly. Significant differences in hair, facial hair or weight may prompt the citizenship authority to request a new photo or in-person verification.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the Singapore citizenship authority rejects the photo and you supply the rejection notice.
Religious, traditional, or medical reasons only; must not cast shadows on the face. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.