Singapore IC Photo: Can You Wear Glasses or Smile?

Short answer: Yes, you can wear glasses in a Singapore IC photo, as long as the frames don't cover any part of your eyes, there's no flash or light reflected off the lenses, and the lenses aren't tinted. You can't smile, though. ICA's overseas passport application form asks for "a neutral facial expression with mouth closed", and the same photo rules apply to your IC.

This guide answers the appearance questions people ask before an IC or passport photo: glasses, smiling, make-up, head coverings and hair. Every rule comes from ICA's own pages and its answers on Ask.gov, checked in October 2026. Where ICA says nothing on a point, we say so instead of guessing.

Do IC and passport photos follow the same rules?

Yes. ICA's photo guidelines cover any application that needs a photo ID, such as a passport or identity card, and ICA says its requirements are based on specifications from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). ICA also confirms on Ask.gov that you can use the same photo for your IC and passport if it was taken within 3 months of the date of application.

The detailed appearance rules are written out in ICA's printed checklist in form IMME 11 OS, the overseas passport application. That's the list this guide works from.

Can you wear glasses in a Singapore IC photo?

You can wear glasses in a Singapore IC photo if they meet three conditions from ICA's checklist:

Glasses rule	What ICA says
Frames	Must not cover any part of your eyes
Glare	No flash or light reflected off the glasses
Lens type	Tinted glasses and sunglasses are not allowed

Sources: ICA form IMME 11 OS, section 5 (viii).

ICA doesn't require you to take your glasses off. In practice, glare is the condition people miss, because a phone flash or a ceiling light can bounce straight off the lenses. These practical tips help:

1. Turn the flash off and face a window or a soft, even light instead.
2. Tilt the frames very slightly down at the top if you see a bright spot on the lens, then check again.
3. Look at the photo at full size before you use it. Both eyes should be fully visible, with the frame edges clear of your eyes.
4. Take a second set without glasses. If you're not sure the glasses shots pass, you can choose a clear photo without them.

Lenses that darken in sunlight can look tinted in the photo, so take the photo indoors, away from direct sun.

Can you smile in a Singapore IC photo?

No. A Singapore IC photo needs a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed. ICA's checklist says you must look at the camera with that expression, and the form repeats it beside the photo box: the photograph "must be taken within the last 3 months and show a neutral facial expression with mouth closed."

A neutral expression doesn't mean a frown. Relax your face, close your lips gently and look straight at the camera. Your eyes must be open, and your head straight rather than tilted.

Can I wear make-up for my passport photo in Singapore?

The ICA pages we checked don't mention make-up at all. What ICA does rule out is editing the photo: your photograph "must not be altered or enhanced in any way", which includes changing facial features or using photo editing software, according to the photo guidelines.

So the line is between your face and the file. Make-up you wear when the photo is taken isn't covered by any ICA rule we found. Beauty filters, skin smoothing, face slimming or any other retouching after the photo is taken are not allowed. Resizing the photo to the required dimensions is fine, and the guidelines say you can use image editing software for that.

A practical point: the photo has to look like you when ICA checks your identity, so keep make-up close to how you normally look.

Can you wear a head covering or have hair over your face?

Only head coverings you habitually wear for religious or racial custom are allowed, and they should not be white, according to ICA's checklist. A white tudung or turban would blend into the white background, so choose a darker colour.

For visa photos, ICA's Ask.gov answer adds that religious or racial headgear is acceptable but must not hide the facial features. The passport checklist asks for the same thing in other words: a full-face photo with both edges of your face and the top of your shoulders clearly shown.

Hair is covered by the same rule. Your eyes must be open with no hair across or covering them. If you have long hair or a fringe, pin it back from your eyes before the photo. Caps, hats and fashion headwear are not allowed.

Singapore IC photo appearance checklist

Use this list before you upload. Each line comes from ICA's checklist in form IMME 11 OS or the photo guidelines.

Check	Rule
Glasses	Allowed; frames clear of your eyes, no glare, no tinted lenses or sunglasses
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed
Eyes and head	Eyes open, looking at the camera, head straight
Hair	Not across or covering your eyes
Face and shoulders	Both edges of your face and the top of your shoulders shown
Head covering	Only for religious or racial custom, and not white
Background	Plain white; light grey if your hair is white
Recency	Taken within the last 3 months, in colour
Editing	None; resizing only
Digital file	400 x 514 pixels, jpg, jpeg, heic, heif or png, up to 8MB

Ask someone else to take the photo. ICA says on Ask.gov that you shouldn't take a selfie with your phone, because "the photo image will be flipped." For the full size and format rules, see our guide to Singapore IC photo requirements, and for lighting and background set-up, our guide to taking a passport photo at home.

What happens if ICA rejects your photo?

ICA's Apply for Passport page says your application will be delayed if your photograph doesn't meet the requirements, and that ICA will notify you if your photo is rejected. For local applications, passport processing takes around one to two weeks after ICA receives the application, and may take up to four weeks if the photograph doesn't meet the requirements. The photo guidelines add that failing the requirements "can delay your application or result in its rejection."

Glare on glasses, a smile or hair over the eyes are easy to fix before you upload, and fixing them then is quicker than waiting for a new photo request.

How IC Photo Singapore can help

IC Photo Singapore (icphotosingapore.com) outputs photos sized to ICA's published spec of 400 x 514 px for online submission. You upload a phone photo on the make-photo page, from a phone or computer with no studio visit, and see a watermarked preview before checkout, so you can check your glasses and expression first. You get the digital file after checkout. ICA still assesses every photo against its guidelines. IC Photo Singapore is an independent service and is not affiliated with ICA.

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear glasses in a Singapore IC photo?

Yes. ICA allows glasses as long as the frames don't cover any part of your eyes and there is no flash or light reflected off the lenses. Tinted glasses and sunglasses are not allowed. If you can't avoid glare on your lenses, take the photo without glasses instead.

Can I smile in my Singapore IC photo?

No. ICA asks for a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed, with your eyes open and your head straight. Relax your face and look directly at the camera rather than smiling.

Can I wear make-up for a passport photo in Singapore?

The ICA pages we checked don't mention make-up. ICA's rule is that the photo itself must not be altered or enhanced, so beauty filters and retouching are out. Keep any make-up close to how you normally look, because the photo is used to verify your identity.

Can I wear a tudung or turban in my IC photo?

Yes, if you habitually wear it for religious or racial custom. ICA says it should not be white, and both edges of your face must be clearly shown. Choose a darker colour so it stands out from the white background.

Can I edit my photo to remove glare from my glasses?

No. ICA says the photograph must not be altered or enhanced in any way, including with photo editing software. Retake the photo with the flash off and the light coming from in front of you. Resizing to 400 x 514 pixels is allowed.

Requirements were checked against ICA and Ask.gov pages in October 2026. Check ICA's photo guidelines before you submit, because ICA decides whether your photo is accepted. More guides are on the IC Photo Singapore blog.