Hong Kong passport photo size
A Hong Kong SAR passport photo is 40 × 50 mm on a plain white background with the head 32–36 mm from chin to crown. Online applications upload a JPEG of at least 1200 × 1600 px and 5 MB or below. Export either from the same aligned preview.
- Document
- HKSAR passport
- Photo size
- 40 × 50 mm
- Chin to crown
- 32–36 mm
- Background
- Plain white
- Photo age
- Not stated
- Online upload
- 1200 × 1600 px, JPEG, up to 5 MB
- Print export
- 472 × 591 px at 300 ppi, 4 copies per 4 × 6 in sheet
Online applications upload a JPEG; postal and drop-in applications take a 40 × 50 mm print. Hong Kong identity card photos are taken at the Registration of Persons Office instead.
Do not fold, staple, write on the back or paper-clip the print; a postal application with a substandard photo is returned unprocessed.
At least 1200 × 1600 px from a digital camera, or a 600 dpi scan of a 40 × 50 mm print, 5 MB or below. ImmD may still ask for another photo after upload.
Place the crown and chin at the guide lines and the eyes in the band when one is shown. The oval is an approximate placement guide, not a face measurement or approval check.
This authority publishes no head height: keep the face centred with space above the head and the shoulders visible.
HKSAR passport photo dimensions
The print is 40 mm wide and 50 mm high, with the chin-to-crown height at 32–36 mm and sufficient headroom. The photo is centred, not too light or dark, with no shadow and no hair across the eyes or eyebrows.
The online upload
Online passport applications take a JPEG of 5 MB or below, captured by a digital camera at a minimum of 1200 × 1600 px or scanned at 600 dpi from a 40 × 50 mm print. The Immigration Department may still ask for another photo after upload.
Handling a printed photo
Do not fold, staple, paper-clip or write on the back of the print. Postal and drop-in applications with a substandard photo are returned unprocessed, so measure the print and check the head height before posting.
Identity cards are different
HKID photos are taken at the Registration of Persons Office booth; only children under 11 who are not taller than 90 cm bring a recent 50 × 40 mm full-face photo. No head dress, no frame across the eyes, no flash reflection, and avoid heavy make-up or very light clothing.
How to take a valid photo
The shared ICAO points first, then what this authority adds.
- Have someone else take the photo at eye level from a few steps away; most authorities reject selfies.
- Face the camera straight on with your head level, both eyes open, mouth closed and a neutral expression.
- Light the face evenly: no shadows on the face or the background, no flash reflections, no red-eye.
- Keep the photo as taken: no filters, retouching, background replacement or AI edits.
- Only you in the frame, nothing covering the face, hair away from the eyes, no uniform.
- Leave space around the head and shoulders so the crop can follow the guide.
- No frame across the eyes and no flash reflection on the face or glasses; tinted lenses are rejected.
- No head dress.
- Full frontal face with clear features, centred, with sufficient headroom; no hair across the eyes or eyebrows.
- Avoid heavy make-up and overly dark or light clothing; not too light or dark, no shadow.
Official sources
Requirements checked on 27 October 2026 against the official pages below. The issuing authority makes the acceptance decision; nothing on this page certifies a photo.
To compare formats, see passport photo sizes by country.
Related free photo tools
- Free toolPassport photo size by countryCompare passport photo sizes and official application rules for 40 countries. Align a private head guide; export prints, 4 × 6 in sheets and upload files where the authority allows it.
- Free toolIndia passport photo sizeIndian passport photos: live capture at the Passport Seva Kendra, 35 × 45 mm for paper applications, 630 × 810 px under 250 KB for missions abroad, 2 × 2 in for OCI. Crop with a guide.
- Free toolIndonesia passport photoIndonesian passport photos are taken at the Kantor Imigrasi after the interview, so there is nothing to crop. Read the dress, glasses and hijab rules for the capture.
- Free toolIreland passport photo sizeIrish passport photos are 35 × 45 mm (up to 38 × 50 mm) printed, or at least 715 × 951 px JPEG under 9 MB for Passport Online. Crop a print, a 4 × 6 in sheet or the upload.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Hong Kong passport photo?
40 × 50 mm printed, with the head 32–36 mm. Online applications take at least 1200 × 1600 px.
Is there a recency rule?
The Immigration Department page states none; it asks for a full frontal face with clear features.
Can I scan a print for the online application?
Yes, at 600 dpi from a 40 × 50 mm print, or use a digital camera photo of at least 1200 × 1600 px.
Do I need a photo for a Hong Kong identity card?
No, except children under 11 and not taller than 90 cm, who bring one 50 × 40 mm photo. Adults are photographed at the office.