LTVP Photo Requirement in Singapore: Size, Rules, Upload

Short answer: The LTVP photo requirement in Singapore is a recent colour digital photo of the applicant, 400 x 514 pixels, full face, against a white background. ICA's LTVP document checklist asks for it, and the ICA photo guidelines accept JPG, JPEG, HEIC, HEIF or PNG files up to 8 MB. The photo must be taken within the last 3 months, must not have been used for a previous application or pass, and must not be filtered or retouched.

The rules for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) photo are spread across four ICA pages and a PDF. This guide puts them in one place for applicants and their sponsors. It covers who uploads the photo, when ICA asks for it, why ICA keeps rejecting some photos, and what to do if your LTVP photo fails Singpass face verification later.

What is the LTVP photo requirement?

Only the applicant needs a photo. The checklist marks the sponsor's photo as "not required", so a Singapore Citizen or PR sponsoring a spouse, child or parent doesn't have to upload one.

Requirement	What ICA asks for
Who	The LTVP applicant only, not the sponsor
Colour	Coloured digital photograph
Size	400 x 514 pixels for e-Service upload
File type	JPG, JPEG, HEIC, HEIF or PNG
File size	Up to 8 MB
Age of photo	Taken within the last 3 months, not used in a previous application or pass
Background	Plain white
Face	Full face, clear and in sharp focus
Headgear	Not allowed, unless worn habitually for religious or racial customs and it doesn't hide facial features
Editing	Resizing only. No filters, retouching, distortion or flipping

Sources: ICA LTVP document checklist, Photo Guidelines and Completion of Formalities FAQ, checked November 2026.

The LTVP photo size is the same 400 x 514 px digital spec ICA uses for other e-Service uploads. If you want the detail behind that number, our guide to ICA photo size in Singapore explains the pixel and file rules.

Who uploads the photo, and when?

According to ICA's LTVP application and renewal page, every applicant and sponsor logs in with Singpass. Anyone not eligible for Singpass uses login details that ICA provides. The sponsor fills in the form, and the applicant logs in to review it and make their declarations. An IHL graduate applying for a pass to look for work applies on their own, without a sponsor.

There are two points where a photo may come up:

1. At submission. The photo is listed with the passport and other documents to prepare before you apply online. Have the file ready before the sponsor starts the form, so the session doesn't time out while you find one.
2. After In-Principle Approval (IPA). When ICA approves the application, you log in again to complete the required tasks before the approval expires. ICA's formalities page says that if you need to upload a photograph at this stage, it must meet ICA's photo specifications, and you should avoid filters or heavy retouching because they can affect facial recognition.

After the tasks, you pay the issuance fee by the deadline, or the application is withdrawn. You then download a letter that tells you whether you need to visit the ICA Services Centre in person. If you don't, ICA issues the digital LTVP on payment through FileSG or the Singpass app.

LTVP fees and timing at a glance

Item	Detail
Application fee	S$45 per application, paid on submission
Issuance fee	S$60, paid when the pass is issued
Multiple Journey Visa	S$30, if applicable
Processing time	Most applications within 6 weeks
When to renew	At least 3 months before the current LTVP expires
Payment	Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Internet Direct Debit (DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered) or PayNow

Source: ICA LTVP application and renewal page, checked November 2026.

A renewed LTVP is valid from the date of issuance, and ICA doesn't carry forward any remaining validity from the old pass. Applying 3 months early doesn't cost you days, so it's worth starting on time.

Why does ICA keep rejecting LTVP photos?

ICA answers this directly in the FAQ on its formalities page. A photo is rejected when it doesn't meet these specifications:

• It's older than 3 months. ICA defines this as a photo that must not have been used in previous applications or passes.
• It's digitally enhanced. Enhancement affects facial recognition, so beauty modes and skin smoothing count against you.
• It's distorted or flipped. Some phone front cameras save a mirrored image. Check that a side parting or a mole appears on the correct side.
• It isn't clear. The photo must be in sharp focus and taken against a plain white background.

The ICA photo guidelines add that selfies usually don't meet the requirements and could delay an application, so ICA recommends asking someone else to take the photo. You may resize a photo on a computer, but you shouldn't alter it in any other way, including changing facial features or adding filters.

For a longer list of common faults such as shadows, glare on glasses and tilted heads, see our ICA photo rejection troubleshooting guide. Clothing questions are covered in what to wear for a passport photo.

Renewing an LTVP: why your old photo won't work

This is the most common mistake on renewals. Many holders reuse the photo from their first application, or the one on their passport. ICA's rejection FAQ says the photo must not have been used in previous applications or passes, so a photo ICA has already seen will likely be rejected even if it was taken recently.

Take a fresh photo for each renewal. You don't need a studio for this. Our guide to taking a passport photo at home in Singapore covers lighting, background and camera distance.

ICA also says a medical examination for an LTVP renewal must be done in Singapore, not overseas. If the applicant is abroad, plan the photo and the medical check for the same trip back.

Changing the photo on an existing LTVP

Sometimes an LTVP holder can't pass Singpass face verification because the photo on record no longer matches well. ICA's change of particulars page for LTVP holders lists a photograph change "due to failed Singpass verification" as one that needs a replacement digital LTVP, applied for in person. Holders must tell ICA about such changes within 14 days.

• Where: ICA Services Centre, 2 Crawford Street, Singapore 207218, from 8.00 am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.
• Bring: your passport and a recent passport-sized photograph taken within the last 3 months. ICA says not to use a digitally enhanced photo.
• Fee: S$60, non-refundable, per ICA's LTVP replacement fees.
• Processing: ICA processes the replacement on the same day you visit.

Passport number or expiry changes are different. You update those online within 14 days, and they don't need a new photo.

LTVP or Dependant's Pass: which photo rules apply?

The two passes are run by different agencies. According to ICA's FAQ, the Dependant's Pass (DP) is issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to dependants of work pass holders. The LTVP is generally issued by ICA to dependants of Singapore Citizens and PRs. The rules in this guide are ICA's. If you hold or are applying for a MOM-issued pass, check MOM's own instructions, as ICA tells MOM pass holders to contact MOM to update their particulars.

LTVP photo checklist before you upload

• [ ] The photo is of the applicant, not the sponsor
• [ ] Taken within the last 3 months and never used for another application or pass
• [ ] Colour, 400 x 514 pixels
• [ ] JPG, JPEG, HEIC, HEIF or PNG, under 8 MB
• [ ] Plain white background, no shadows behind the head
• [ ] Full face, sharp focus, eyes open and visible
• [ ] No headgear, unless worn for religious or racial customs with the face uncovered
• [ ] Not mirrored, filtered, smoothed or edited beyond resizing
• [ ] Taken by someone else rather than as a selfie

How IC Photo Singapore can help

If you have a clear photo taken by someone else, IC Photo Singapore (icphotosingapore.com) outputs photos sized to ICA's published spec of 400 x 514 px for online submission. It works from a phone or computer, so the applicant doesn't need a studio visit, which helps when they're overseas before the pass is issued. You upload your photo, check the watermarked preview, and get the digital file after checkout. It doesn't replace ICA's own checks. IC Photo Singapore is an independent service and is not affiliated with ICA.

Frequently asked questions

What size is the LTVP photo?

400 x 514 pixels for upload through ICA's e-Services, in colour, as a JPG, JPEG, HEIC, HEIF or PNG file of up to 8 MB.

Does the sponsor need to submit a photo?

No. ICA's LTVP document checklist marks the photo as required for the applicant and not required for the sponsor.

Can I reuse my LTVP photo from last time when I renew?

It's better not to. ICA's FAQ says a photo must be taken within the last 3 months and must not have been used in previous applications or passes.

Can I wear a headscarf in my LTVP photo?

Yes, if you wear it habitually for religious or racial customs and it doesn't hide your facial features. Other headgear isn't allowed.

Can I take the LTVP photo with my phone?

Yes. ICA recommends apps made for passport or identity photos and says you may resize the image. It also says selfies usually don't meet the requirements, so ask someone else to take it.

What if my LTVP photo fails Singpass face verification?

ICA treats it as a change of photograph. You apply for a replacement digital LTVP in person at the ICA Services Centre, bring a photo taken within the last 3 months, and pay S$60.

Rules were checked against ICA's LTVP application, formalities, change of particulars and photo guideline pages in November 2026. Check the official ICA LTVP page before you apply.