Hong Kong Passport Photo Size (40×50mm)

Hong Kong Passport Photo Requirements

Required Specifications

✓ Photo size: 40 × 50 mm
✓ Plain white background
✓ Taken within last 6 months
✓ Face height: 32-36mm
✓ Neutral expression
✓ Sharp focus, natural colors

Not Allowed

✗ Glasses (no glasses allowed)
✗ Hats or head coverings
✗ Colored contact lenses
✗ Digital alterations
✗ Shadows on face
✗ Smiling or teeth showing

Immigration Department () Guidelines

Hong Kong Immigration Department has strict photo requirements. Note: Glasses are NOT allowed in HKSAR passport photos.

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Size

40×50 mm standard

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Where to Apply

Immigration Tower or online via e-Application

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Processing

10 working days standard

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is Hong Kong passport photo?

Hong Kong SAR passport photo size is 40×50 mm (4×5 cm). The face must be 32-36mm from chin to crown.

Can I wear glasses in Hong Kong passport photo?

No, glasses are NOT allowed in Hong Kong passport and HKID photos. This is a strict requirement from the Immigration Department since 2015.

What is the difference between HKSAR passport and BN(O)?

HKSAR passport is issued by Hong Kong Immigration Dept for HK permanent residents. BN(O) (British National Overseas) is a UK passport issued to those registered before 1997. Both use 40×50mm photos.

How many photos needed for Hong Kong passport?

You need 1 recent photo for online applications. For in-person applications at Immigration Tower, bring 2 identical photos.

Hong Kong SAR Passport Photos — Don't Confuse Them With Mainland China

A Completely Different System From Mainland China

This is the mistake people make most often: assuming Hong Kong and mainland China share the same passport photo specs. They don't. Hong Kong SAR passports require 40×50mm photos, while mainland Chinese passports use 33×48mm. Different dimensions, different aspect ratio, and the Hong Kong Immigration Department runs an entirely separate processing system from the National Immigration Administration on the mainland.

The background should be white with no shadows, patterns, or gradients. Your face needs to be centered and take up about 70-80% of the vertical space. Expression: neutral, mouth closed, looking directly at the lens. Hong Kong follows ICAO standards but with their own size twist. If you're a dual resident who holds both a Hong Kong and mainland passport, you'll need two different sets of photos.

How to Apply

Hong Kong has made passport applications remarkably convenient:

Online via the Immigration Department portal — immd.gov.hk. You can upload a digital photo and complete everything without visiting an office.
Immigration Tower — 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. The main in-person service center.
Kowloon Office — 631 Nathan Road, Mong Kok. An alternative for Kowloon-side residents.
By post — Mail applications with printed photos to the Travel Documents Division.
Chinese Embassies/Consulates abroad — Hong Kong SAR passport services are available at PRC missions worldwide for HK permanent residents.

Why Your Photo Might Get Sent Back

Used mainland China dimensions (33×48mm) — The single most common error for people who move between HK and the mainland. Triple-check the 40×50mm requirement.
Lens reflections on glasses — Hong Kong's digital validation system is aggressive about catching glare on spectacle lenses. Tilting your head slightly can reduce reflections, but removing glasses is safer.
Background not uniformly white — Even a faint shadow or slight cream tint flags the automated check. Studio flash needs to hit the backdrop evenly.
Head tilted or turned — The face must be perfectly straight-on. Hong Kong's system measures facial symmetry and flags any rotation beyond about 5 degrees.
Digital file too large or wrong format — For online submissions, the photo must be JPEG format, 40KB-5MB. Other formats are silently rejected.

Costs and Timeline

A 32-page Hong Kong SAR passport costs HK$370 (~$48 USD) and the 48-page version is HK$460. Standard processing takes about 10 working days. There's no formal "express" service — if you need it urgently, you apply in person at Immigration Tower and explain the situation. HK passport holders enjoy visa-free access to over 170 countries, making it one of the most powerful travel documents in Asia.

Hong Kong Passport Photo

Hong Kong Photo Documents

HKSAR Passport Photo

Visa Photo

HKID Photo