IC Photo Singapore

Singapore IC Photo Requirements

To get a Singapore Identity Card (also known as NRIC - National Registry Identity Card), you’ll need to submit two recent pictures that follow a long list of very specific requirements.

You will need to follow the instructions to the letter, otherwise your application will be rejected and it will take a longer time to obtain your Singapore IC.

To get the right size you can go to a photo booth or a professional photographer, but you can also use a handy online tool that will allow you to take the perfect picture for your Singapore IC.

Singapore IC Photo: Size and quality

The photos for a Singapore IC need to follow very specific rules regarding their dimensions:

• They must be 35mm x 45 mm.
• Digital pictures need to be 400 px x 514 px.
• Only color photos are acceptable.
• They must be recent (not older than 3 months).
• Your head must take up between 70% and 80% of the space.
• The resolution should not be lower than 600 dpi.
• The digital image cannot be larger than 150 kb.
• They need to be printed on high quality paper.
• Matte or semi-matte finish.

Singapore IC Photos: Background and Lighting

The background for a Singapore IC photo must be white and plain, patterns or uneven lighting will get your picture rejected for sure. You can easily achieve a uniform background with the right online tool.

The light must be uniform as well, making sure there are no shadows altering your face features. You must also be careful not to overexpose or underexpose the photo, making everything visible and keeping your natural skin color.

Singapore NRIC Photo: Facial Expression

In a NRIC photo smiles or other facial expressions are not acceptable. You will need to keep a neutral expression, making sure that your facial muscles are fully relaxed.

You also need to keep your mouth closed and your eyes well open, staring directly into the camera. 

Your head cannot be tilted in any direction, only a full frontal view is acceptable.

IC Photo Singapore: Accessories and Headwear

Any type of accessory on the head is forbidden on NRIC photos, as they may obstruct the view of your face. So, no sunglasses, headbands or other large accessories.

Prescription glasses can be worn if used every day, but thick rims or tinted lenses are not acceptable. You also need to make sure that they don’t cast any shadows or create any glares. If possible, we recommend just taking them to take the picture.

Hats and headgear are only allowed for religious reasons, but, even in this case, you need to make sure that they do not obstruct the view of the face in any way.

There are no stated requirements about hearing aids.

Singapore NRIC Photo: Dress Code

There are no strict specifications about the clothes you are allowed to wear in a Singapore IC picture. As for any official document, avoid wearing a law enforcement or military uniform, they are usually not accepted.

As an additional tip, we advise not wearing white clothes: they might blend with the background and have a negative effect on the lighting.

Singapore NRIC Photo: Common Mistakes

To make sure that the photos for your NRIC application get accepted, you might want to ensure that you avoid making some common mistakes that might get it rejected. The most common mistakes are:

• Uneven lighting (even just slightly, make sure there are no shadows).
• Slightly tilted head (just ensure that the camera sits exactly in a frontal position).
•  Photo editing ( no kind of editing is accepted, the picture must reflect your natural look).
• Low picture quality (use at least a 2 megapixel camera).

How to take IC photo at home in Singapore?

If you don’t want to spend time and money going to a photo studio or a photobooth, you can easily take the picture for your Singapore NRIC at home.

You just need a digital camera or a smartphone with the right resolution.

To get the right lighting, there is no better option than sunlight. Place the camera at least 2 meters away from you and face a window during a sunny day.

Using natural light, you will get an evenly lit photo without effort. 

To get the right background, place a white sheet behind you, making sure there are no folds or creases.

After you are done, upload the photo to an online photo editor (like Passport Photo Online) to crop it to the right size.

IC Photo Editor

Making sure you follow all the instructions to the letter might not be so easy, slipping up even slightly can get your picture rejected. Going to a professional photographer can prove quite expensive, and not all of us can find one in our vicinity. Photobooths are generally quite accessible, but you still need to pay extra attention to the requirements, otherwise you’ll end up taking many pictures, spending a lot of time and money.

With the help of Passport Photo Online, you can take a perfect picture for any document you need!

Looking for a NRIC photo app for Android or iOS? PPO is just what you need!

Through the use of an AI, our editor will make sure that your picture follows all of the requirements.

You’ll immediately know if the one you took is usable or if you need to take another one, this way you will have the guarantee that your picture will be accepted before turning it in.

In a few seconds the photo will be cut out and cropped to the right size and you will be ready to go!

With Passport Photo Online you can take all the pictures you want, you will only pay for the ones you pick at the end! You can then choose if you want the printouts sent to you or if you just want the digital file.

You will save time and money and you can be sure that the authorities will approve your pictures.

You can turn to Passport Photo Online for any photo you need to apply for official documents!

Last update: 2/4/23