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25 August 2014

Photo Requirement: Make a Good Quality Photo But Cheaper

When I started my Federal Skilled Worker Program application in Canada, I encountered this small problem.  It's about the photo that I need to provide.

It was stated at the FSW form IMM7000 - Appendix A that the photo should follow a certain standard size.  There is a minimum and maximum size of the face and it should look like this...


3 Ways to Have Your Photo Taken
  1. Have your photos taken professionally.
  2. Photo booth it!
  3. Do it yourself.

Have Your Photos Taken Professionally

Have your photo taken by a professional photographer, the one with pricey cameras and photo editing softwares in a studio, who charges you around SGD10.00 or more.  This is for applicants who has no more time to look for photo booths and can spare extra costs.

The good thing for this approach is that you can have a nice image with a quality photo paper.  Studios have the proper lighting and you have the option to choose which suit you would want to have.  They can even edit a picture of a suit and insert it at your photo to make you look professional.

It is more convenient since you only have to show the Appendix A form and they'll know what to do next, it's because they are professionals.

Photo Booth It!
If you want a brand new set of photos but with lesser quality than the professional ones, you can have it at a photo booth located inside the Singapore malls and other public places.

I saw one near the Choa Chu Kang MRT Station and bus interchange...it is specifically located at the corner of Block 304 , just beside the OCBC Bank.



Another location is at the Jurong Point Mall at Boonlay MRT station.  You can see it at the bus interchange waiting area of Bus # 193, 181.

If you don't have an idea on how it looks like and though it's a common machine, it should look like this.

Photo Booths in Singapore
Take note, you need 6 photos for the FSW application and this booth will only provide you 4 pieces for a price of SGD7.00.

Do It Yourself 

Because of this Settlement Fund issues, I am now tight with my budget.  Even a few cents makes a big impact on my view of my money.  Saving for the Proof of Fund is serious and you will know it once you have been approved.

Inside my wallet, I had a passport size few-week-old photos, but left 2 pieces of it because I already used some for other important matters.

The problem is that I need to provide 6 pieces for the FSW Canada full application and that also includes all my dependents.  I don't want to waste these 2 photos.

I thought of a way on how to save it.
  • I scanned one of the photos and edited it in a free photo editing software, then pasted it in the Microsoft Word.  Arranged it to fit at the photo paper.
  • Printed it in a photo paper that I bought from the Popular office supplies. 
  • Cut it using scissors and it's good!
What if I don't have any existing photos?
Well, your problem is not a problem.  It is a matter of a simple tactic. If you have an iPhone or a DSLR, then use it.  If you don't have, ask a friend that has one. Take a photo of you with a proper suit, position and a good lighting.

Take note, DO NOT TAKE SELFIE!

Have a white background to ease up the editing.  Edit it using the free photo editing software.  I recommend to use the Paint.Net, which I'm using it for 5 years now, by the way.  If you want to learn more, ask me then.  If you don't know how, I can also do the editing for you.

Then print the photos as what I did with mine.

Photos are required during these stages in FSW.
  • When you submit your full application package.
  • Medical Exam
  • Visa Stamping
You will appreciate this technique when you have a family of 4.  Press the Like button below if you agree.
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10 comments:

gobbledegook said...

I had mine taken at the neighbourhood photo studio near my house, very cheap too, 6 photos for $10... And they were very professionally taken! Lol... if can't manage i would suggest looking for those neighbourhood studio that develops photos. cheaper too.. Went to this photo studio at Lot 1 basement, and they charge a whoppling $16 for 8 pictures....

srikanth rokkam said...

Hi Ben,

I have downloaded all the forms from application package. where can i get IMM7000 from. I didn't see anywhere. Do we need to paste photos some where or jst send 6 copies along with application?

thanks

Ben Alagnam said...

$10 dollars is still fine, but the $16-photo is way to much! It will make us look like a celebrity. :D

Ben Alagnam said...

Go to my RESOURCES page, it's the Instruction Guide [IMM EG7000]. I suggest you place your pictures individually (paper or plastic) then place it at a small letter envelope. Label it as photos.

Please follow the procedures at the form IMM7000-Appendix A.

srikanth rokkam said...

Ok. But there its not mentioned how many photos? both myself and dependent?

thanks

Ben Alagnam said...

Hi Shrikanth, the number of pieces is stated at the Checklist Form (IMM5612) item #19. It should be 6 pieces each member of the family, either accompanying you or not. It also stated the instructions on how to send the photos.

Fulfilling Life said...

How should I interpret "6 pieces each member of the family, either accompanying you or not". Is the family my family like spouse and children (I'm not married). Or is it mother, father, siblings? The reason why I asked is because my sister is totally not in this hemisphere and it is unlikely she will take photos anytime soon for me.

Thanks

srikanth rokkam said...

Hi Life,

I don't think you need to send your parents and siblings photos, Your family is you, your spouse and children. When I sent my application in Sep'14. I have send only myself and my wife photographs. If you're not married, only yours will do!

thanks

Regards,
srikanth

Anonymous said...

Hi Ben,

Your advise was good. We did the same thing. Since we live around Chinatown area in Singapore, we used the Photo Booth at Chinatown MRT station. Cheaper than going to the photo studios.

Ben Alagnam said...

That's good. You can save a lot from that technique #2, with less effort.

Ben Alagnam - MeMovingToCanada