Hong Kong passport and ID photo requirements
Hong Kong uses a 40×50 mm photo for the HKSAR passport and a similar frame for the smart identity card. The Immigration Department accepts both prints and digital files, and its online service is strict about the file.
Crop to this size
Opens the cropper with 40 × 50 mm already selected.
At a glance
| Photo size | 40 × 50 mm |
|---|---|
| Photo size in inches | 1.6 × 2 in |
| Pixels at 300 ppi | 472 × 591 px |
| Orientation | Portrait |
| Head height | The face should occupy roughly two-thirds of the frame height |
| Background | Plain white or very light, evenly lit |
What the photo must show
- Photo age. Taken within the last 6 months.
- Expression. Plain, natural expression, mouth closed, eyes open.
- Glasses. Remove them. Reflection and tinted lenses are not accepted.
- Headwear. Not allowed unless worn for religious or medical reasons, and the face must remain fully visible.
- Framing. Front facing, centred, with the head and shoulders filling the frame.
- Editing. No retouching, and no shadows behind the head.
Digital photo for online applications
- Format
- JPEG at 300 dpi
- Framing
- 40×50 mm at 300 dpi is 472×591 px
- Where it is used
- The online passport and identity card services, which publish their own file-size limits
Common reasons photos get rejected
- A shadow behind the head or a grey background.
- A photo with strong flash reflections on the face.
- An edited or beautified photo.
- A print with folds, marks or rounded corners.
Official sources
- Hong Kong Immigration DepartmentHKSAR passport and smart identity card applications.
- GovHK — travel documentsThe citizen-facing page for passport photos and application steps.
Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change — always confirm with the official source above before you apply.