Singapore NRIC Photo: Size & Requirements (2026)

Your Singapore NRIC photo must be 35×45mm with a plain white background — exactly the same spec as a Singapore passport photo. No glasses. No smile. Neutral expression. ICA doesn't operate a separate photo standard for the National Registration Identity Card; it uses the unified national biometric photo guideline across all identity documents.

Here's everything you need to get it right.

Singapore NRIC Photo Specifications (35×45mm)

The physical print must be on good-quality photo paper with a matte or semi-gloss finish. Blurry, pixelated, or damaged photos will be rejected.

NRIC vs Singapore Passport: Identical Standards

Singapore runs a single photo standard across its core identity documents. Your NRIC photo is the same spec as your passport photo — 35×45mm, white background, no glasses allowed.

This is deliberate. ICA administers both the NRIC and the Singapore passport, and they use the same biometric face-matching systems. A photo that passes for one will pass for the other.

Practically, this means you can use the same digital photo file for both applications if you're getting a new passport and a new NRIC around the same time.

ICA Photo Guidelines: The Details That Get People Rejected

ICA's photo guidelines are specific. The most common rejection causes:

Background issues. The background must be white — not off-white, not cream, not light grey. Any shadow behind the head is grounds for rejection. Take the photo against a proper white backdrop in good lighting, not against a wall.

Glasses. Not allowed. This rule applies regardless of prescription or tint. If you normally wear glasses, remove them for the photo. No exceptions.

Head covering. Not allowed in standard photos. Religious head coverings are accepted, but the face must be fully visible — no part of the forehead, cheeks, or chin should be obscured.

Expression. ICA requires a neutral expression with the mouth closed. No smiling, not even a slight one. This surprises people, but the rule is firm — facial recognition systems work more accurately with neutral expressions.

Head size. Your face should occupy 70–80% of the photo height. Too small (taken from a distance) or too large (cropped too tight) will fail.

Recent photo. The photo must have been taken within the last six months. An old photo — even if it looks like you — will be rejected if ICA can determine it's outdated.

About the Singapore NRIC: Validity and Re-Registration

The National Registration Identity Card is issued to all Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 15 and above. Every Singaporean carries one. It's the primary form of identity for everything from opening a bank account to voting.

Validity: Your NRIC has no expiry date as a document, but there are two mandatory re-registration points: at age 30 and again at age 55. At each milestone, you must submit an updated photo. This keeps the biometric data current over your lifetime.

First issuance: Singaporeans are issued their NRIC at age 15 automatically through their school or ICA directly.

Replacement: If you lose your NRIC or it gets damaged, a replacement costs SGD 60. The process takes about 4 working days.

How to Apply for or Replace Your Singapore NRIC

For first-time issuance at age 15, the process is typically coordinated through your school. Students receive instructions through their secondary school.

For re-registration (at 30 or 55) and replacement, you can apply:

1. Online via MyICA portal — Upload your digital photo (413×531px, JPG format, maximum 2MB). ICA reviews the submission and mails your new card.

2. In person at ICA Building — Walk in or book an appointment at 10 Kallang Road. Bring your existing NRIC (for replacement/re-registration) and physical photos if applying in person. Staff will verify your photo on the spot.

For re-registration at 30 and 55, ICA proactively sends you a notification letter when it's time. Don't ignore it — re-registration within the notified period is a legal requirement.

Getting a Compliant Singapore NRIC Photo

Any photo studio in Singapore can produce an NRIC-compliant photo. Tell them "NRIC or passport photo, 35×45mm, ICA guidelines." A standard print set (two or four copies) costs around SGD 10–15.

Alternatively, passportsize-photo.online lets you check and prepare your photo digitally before printing. Upload your photo, and the tool checks dimensions, background colour, face centering, and common rejection causes. A digital file that passes those checks can be submitted through MyICA's online portal.

The Singapore passport photo guide covers the same specification in more detail — since the specs are identical, everything in that guide applies here.

Photo Studios Near ICA Building on Kallang Road

Singapore photo studios near ICA Building on Kallang Road are familiar with ICA's standards and see this all day. If you're going in person and need a walk-in photo taken on the spot, the studios in that area are reliable. They know the spec and they know what gets rejected.

Get the photo right the first time. A rejected submission adds 4+ working days to your wait. It's not worth cutting corners on a white background.

Expression and Appearance Rules for Singapore NRIC Photos

• Neutral expression — mouth closed, no smile, no frown
• Eyes open — both eyes fully visible, looking directly at the camera
• No glasses — all types banned without exception, including clear prescription lenses
• Hair away from face — forehead and both eyes clearly visible
• Head coverings — permitted for religious reasons (tudung, turban); full face from chin to forehead must remain visible
• No heavy makeup or accessories — the photo should represent your everyday appearance
• Clean, even lighting — no shadows on face or background
• Recent photo — taken within the last 3 months

Singapore Document Photo Comparison: NRIC vs Passport vs DL

Singapore has a fully unified photo standard across every identity document. One compliant photo session covers NRIC, passport, driving licence, and work pass submissions. This is one of the most consistent national photo systems in the world — unlike countries where different documents have different size requirements.

Quick Checklist for Singapore NRIC Photos

• Size: 35×45mm (413×531px digital)
• Background: white
• Expression: neutral, mouth closed
• No glasses (any type)
• Photo taken within 3 months
• Digital file: JPEG, under 2MB
• MyICA account ready (for online submission)
• Current NRIC ready (for re-registration)