You don't need a studio. A phone, a white wall, and the right light are enough. Most rejections happen because the background isn't pure white or the face is too big or too small—both fixable at home.

[Table of Contents]

What you need (gear + setup)
Setup in 5 steps (table)
Background, light & position (rules + table)
Step-by-step checklist (bullets)
Common mistakes (table)
From shot to submission (GetVisaPic)
FAQ

What You Need

Item	Notes
Smartphone	Any recent phone; rear camera preferred
Background	Plain white wall or large white sheet, no folds
Light	Even light from in front (e.g. window, soft lamp)
Optional	Tripod or stand to keep phone steady

No special app for shooting. Use the default camera. GetVisaPic is for after you take the photo—to crop, set white background, and meet ICA size.

Setup in 5 Steps

Step	What to do
1. Background	White wall or sheet, no wrinkles or shadows. Pull sheet tight.
2. Distance	Stand 1–2 m from background so your shadow doesn't fall on it.
3. Light	Face window or soft front light. Both sides of face evenly lit.
4. Phone	Eye level, highest resolution, flash off.
5. Pose	Look at lens, neutral expression, both eyes open. No glasses/hats (unless exempt).

Take a batch of shots. Pick the one with the best light, no shadows, face centred.

Background, Light & Position (Rules)

Background

Must be pure white (#FFFFFF). Grey or cream will get rejected.
No patterns, gradients, or shadows on the wall/sheet.
Stand far enough away so your shadow is off-camera or minimal.

Light

Front-facing, even. One side of your face should not be darker.
Avoid overhead light (nose shadow) or strong side light (half face in shadow).
Daylight from a window in front of you works well; so does a soft lamp in front.

Position

Rule	Detail
Face	70–80% of frame height; eyes ~28–35 mm from bottom
Head	Straight, not tilted
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed
Eyes	Both open, looking at camera
Accessories	No glasses, no hats (unless you have an exemption)

Step-by-Step Checklist

Before you shoot:

White background with no shadows or wrinkles
You 1–2 m from the background so no shadow on the wall
Front-facing, even light on your face
Phone at eye level, highest resolution, flash off
Neutral expression, both eyes open, no glasses/hats (unless exempt)

After you shoot:

Pick the best photo (clearest light, no shadows, face centred)
Upload to GetVisaPic for crop + white background + size check
Download the file and submit to ICA (or MOM) portal

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Why it fails	Fix
Standing too close to wall	Your shadow appears on background	Stand 1–2 m away
Cream or grey wall	Not #FFFFFF; ICA rejects	Use white sheet or GetVisaPic to replace background
Flash on	Harsh shadows, red-eye	Turn flash off; use natural or soft front light
Head tilted or smiling	ICA wants neutral, straight	Face camera straight, neutral expression
Glasses or hat	Not allowed (except exemption)	Remove before shooting
Wrong aspect ratio	Not 400×514	Use GetVisaPic to crop to exact size

From Shot to Submission (GetVisaPic)

Take your best shot at home (white background, front light, neutral expression).
Upload the file to GetVisaPic.
We crop to 400×514, set background to #FFFFFF, and keep file within 60KB.
You download the JPEG and submit it to the ICA or MOM portal.

No studio visit. No extra app to take the photo. One tool to make your home photo ICA-ready.

FAQ

Can I use a selfie for my Singapore passport photo?
Yes, if the background is plain and you follow the 70–80% face rule. Use GetVisaPic to crop and set the background to ICA white.

What if my wall isn't white?
Use a large white poster or sheet, or shoot anyway and use GetVisaPic to replace the background with #FFFFFF.

Do I need a special app to take the photo?
No. Use your phone camera. Use GetVisaPic after to meet 400×514 and white background.

How do I get the exact 400×514 size?
Upload your photo to GetVisaPic; we output 400×514, ICA white, and JPEG within size limits.

Will ICA accept a home photo?
Yes, if it meets their specs: 400×514, #FFFFFF background, face 70–80% of frame, no shadows or glasses (unless exempt).