Hong Kong Passport Photo Requirements, Size & Specifications(2026)

Hong Kong passport photos are typically 40 mm wide by 50 mm high (official standard). Some applications accept 33 mm × 48 mm. Always check the specific documentation checklist for your passport type. Your face from chin to crown must occupy 70–80% of the photo height. The background must be plain white. For online applications via the Immigration Department portal, the JPEG file must be under 125 KB.

The Hong Kong Immigration Department portal does not specify a fixed minimum pixel count, but a resolution of at least 600 × 750 pixels (for 40×50 mm) or 600 × 800 pixels is recommended. The strict file size limit of 125 KB means you should aim for balanced compression.

The official size is 4.0 cm wide by 5.0 cm high (approximately 1.57 inches × 1.97 inches). The alternative size is 3.3 cm × 4.8 cm (1.30 inches × 1.89 inches).

The background must be plain white — pure white, not off-white, cream, light grey, or beige. It must be shadow-free with no patterns or textures.

Yes, glasses may be permitted for Hong Kong passport photos, but with conditions. Frames must be thin and not cover any part of the eyes. Lenses must be completely glare-free with no reflections. It is often safer to remove glasses to avoid rejection.

A natural, closed-mouth smile may be accepted, but a neutral expression with mouth closed is safest. Smiling with teeth showing, frowning, raised eyebrows, or head tilt may cause rejection.

The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must accurately reflect your current appearance.

The Hong Kong Immigration Department portal has a strict maximum file size of 125 KB. Files larger than this will be rejected. Most smartphone photos are several megabytes and must be significantly compressed before uploading. Aim for a file between 50 KB and 125 KB.

The official standard is 40 × 50 mm. However, some applications (such as certain passport types or the e-Channel enrollment) may accept 33 × 48 mm. Always check the specific requirements on the official ImmD website for your application type.

Limited retouching may be permitted for minor adjustments (such as removing temporary blemishes or adjusting brightness slightly). However, significant retouching, skin smoothing, background replacement, or altering facial features is prohibited. The photo must still accurately represent your appearance.

Wear everyday clothing that clearly contrasts with the white background. Avoid white or very pale tops that blend with the background. Do not wear uniforms, costumes, or anything that obscures the face or neck. Religious dress is permitted if the full face remains visible.

Yes, provided the covering is worn daily for religious reasons and your full face from chin to crown remains clearly visible. The covering must be plain material with no patterns, must not cast shadows, and both side edges of the face must be visible.

Children of all ages, including newborns, must have their own separate passport photo. For infants who cannot support their head, lay them on a plain white sheet on a flat surface and photograph from directly above. All standard requirements apply, with some flexibility on expression for very young infants.

For paper submissions, either matte or glossy photo paper is acceptable. For digital submissions via the ImmD portal, paper finish is irrelevant.

Yes, provided the photo meets all requirements: plain white background, neutral expression, face occupying 70–80% of the frame, correct dimensions (40×50 mm or 33×48 mm), JPEG format under 125 KB. Have a second person take the photo rather than using a selfie. You will need to compress the image significantly to get under 125 KB.

The official standard Hong Kong passport photo size is 40 × 50 mm. However, some applications (including certain e-Passports and the e-Channel enrollment system) accept 33 × 48 mm photos. Always read the specific photo requirements for your application type. When in doubt, use 40 × 50 mm as it is the official standard.