ICA sent your photo back? Most rejections come from three things: wrong size, off-white background, or face too big or too small. Get the numbers right once and you avoid the re-submit loop.

[Table of Contents]

ICA photo specs at a glance (table)
Why the exact numbers matter
Background, lighting & face position (rules + table)
Top 5 rejection reasons and fixes (table + bullets)
NRIC vs passport vs visa: same photo?
Do's and don'ts (table)
How to get a compliant photo without a studio
FAQ

ICA Photo Specs at a Glance

Singapore passport and NRIC photos must be 400×514 pixels (35×45 mm at 300 DPI), JPEG, and under 60KB for online submission. Background must be pure white #FFFFFF with no shadows. Face should fill 70–80% of the frame height, eyes about 28–35 mm from the bottom.

Spec	Requirement
Digital size	400 × 514 px
Print size	35 mm × 45 mm
Resolution	300 DPI
Background	#FFFFFF only
File format	JPEG
Max file size (online)	60 KB

Why the Exact Numbers Matter

ICA's system checks dimensions and background colour automatically.

Wrong dimensions (e.g. 500×600 or 413×531) can cause upload failure or manual rejection.
Off-white backgrounds (#F8F8F8, cream, light grey) often fail even if they look white on your phone.
Face too small or too large triggers re-submit requests.

Use 400×514 and #FFFFFF so you pass the first check.

Background, Lighting & Face Position

Background rules

Colour: #FFFFFF only. No patterns, gradients, or shadows.
Use a white wall or a sheet pulled tight; no wrinkles.
Stand 1–2 m away so your shadow does not fall on the background.

Lighting

Light your face evenly from the front.
Avoid overhead or one-side light (creates shadows).
No flash if it creates harsh shadows; prefer daylight or a soft front light.

Face position (70–80% rule)

Rule	What to do
Head height	70–80% of photo height
Eyes	About 28–35 mm from bottom of photo
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed
Eyes	Both open, looking at camera
Accessories	No glasses, no hats (unless religious/medical exemption)

Too small and ICA may ask for a new one; too large and the system can flag it.

Top 5 Rejection Reasons and Fixes

Rejection reason	Fix
Background not pure white	Shoot against a white wall or use a tool (e.g. GetVisaPic) to replace background with #FFFFFF
Face too small or too large	Crop so head is 70–80% of frame; avoid full-body or distant shots
Shadows on face or background	Use front-facing, even light; no overhead or single-side lighting
Glasses or accessories	Remove unless you have an approved exemption
Wrong file size or format	Export as JPEG and keep under 60KB for the ICA portal

Extra checks before you submit

File name: some portals are fussy; use a simple name without spaces.
Resolution: 300 DPI when printing; for online, 400×514 px is what ICA uses.
Recent photo: ICA often expects a photo taken within the last 3 months.

NRIC vs Passport vs Visa: Same Photo?

Yes. ICA uses the same specifications for:

Singapore passport
NRIC (identity card)
Re-entry permit
Most Singapore visa applications

MOM (Employment Pass, S Pass) also follows the same 35×45 mm / 400×514 px standard. One compliant photo can be reused for passport, NRIC, and many visa or work-pass applications if it is still recent and looks like you.

Do's and Don'ts

Do	Don't
Use pure white (#FFFFFF) background	Use grey, cream, or off-white walls
Keep face 70–80% of frame	Submit full-body or distant shots
Use even, front lighting	Use flash or one-side light that casts shadows
Neutral expression, both eyes open	Smile, tilt head, or wear non-exempt glasses/hats
JPEG under 60KB for online	Use PNG or oversized files
Take several shots and pick the best	Submit the first shot without checking

How to Get a Compliant Photo Without a Studio

Shoot at home – White wall or sheet, front light, phone at eye level, 1–2 m from background.
Pick the best shot – No shadows, face centred, neutral expression.
Use GetVisaPic – Upload the photo; we crop to 400×514, set background to #FFFFFF, and keep file within size. Download and submit.

No need for a studio visit. If you already have a selfie or a photo against a plain wall, run it through GetVisaPic.

Print vs Online: What to Send

Use case	What to do
ICA online application	Upload JPEG, max 60KB, 400×514 px. GetVisaPic outputs this.
In-person submission (e.g. at ICA)	Same 35×45 mm print. Print the 400×514 file at 300 DPI on photo paper.
MOM EP / S Pass	Same specs. One compliant digital file works for both.

Keep the 400×514 JPEG; you can reuse it for passport, NRIC, and most visa or work-pass applications as long as it still looks like you and is recent.

FAQ

Why did ICA reject my passport photo?
Usually one of: background not #FFFFFF, face outside 70–80% of frame, shadows, or wrong dimensions. Fix those and resubmit.

Is 35×45 mm the same as 400×514 px?
At 300 DPI, 35×45 mm equals about 413×531 px. ICA uses 400×514 for digital submission. Use 400×514 for online.

Can I wear glasses in my Singapore passport photo?
No, unless you have a medical or religious reason with documentation. Otherwise remove them.

What file format does ICA accept?
JPEG. For online submission, keep the file under 60KB.

Where can I get an ICA-compliant photo without going to a studio?
Take a photo at home against a white background, then use GetVisaPic to crop and set the background to #FFFFFF and meet size rules.