Hong Kong Passport Photo

Official Hong Kong passport photo requirements

A passport photo is always required when applying for a passport because that will allow the authorities to recognize you through biometric authentication. To make sure that your picture will be accepted for the demand of your HKSAR passport, you must meet certain requirements when you take it, whether in a photo booth, at a photographer's, or even at home.

Hong Kong passport photo size

When you demand a HKSAR passport, you must add three photos to your file. These will only be accepted if they meet the following criteria: 

• They are in color.
• The width is equal to 40 mm and the height to 50 mm (which equals to 1200 px(W) x 1600 px(H) for digital pictures).
• Your head is positioned so that the height from your chin to your crown is between 32 mm and 36 mm.
• They are not stapled or clipped.

Background, contrast, and lighting in Hong Kong passport photo

The background of your photos is also significant. Indeed, you must have your back on a white background. However, keep in mind that your picture can still be rejected, even if you have a white background. It can happen if there’s an apparent shadow (whether behind you or on your face) or if the picture is too light or too dark. 

Hong Kong passport picture: posture and facial expression

It’s important that your face is centered and fully visible. Indeed, nothing should obstruct the full visibility of your face. 

Concerning your facial expression, the rules may be less strict than for other countries because you are not required to keep a neutral facial expression. In fact, you can smile slightly as long as you don't show your teeth. 

Hong Kong passport photo clothing

A word of advice: keep it simple. You might want to look good in your passport photo because you’ll keep it for years, but you should wear something neutral. However, keep in mind that you shouldn’t wear something white since the background color is already supposed to be white, otherwise you could make the photo too light and cause it to be rejected. 

Hong Kong passport photo - hairstyle and makeup

You need to be recognized, remember it, that’s why it’s recommended to not wear too much makeup at the risk of not being recognized by biometrics during the controls that you will undergo. So if you want to wear makeup, it’s completely fine as long as you keep it natural. 

As for the hairstyle, if you have any bangs, they must be tied back if they interfere with the vision of your eyes or eyebrows. 

Accessories in Hong Kong passport photo

You can wear eyeglasses as long as there isn’t any reflection on them, and the frame is not across your eyes. If you wear contact lenses instead, you can keep them as long as they are not a different color than your natural eyes. As for sunglasses, they’re strictly prohibited as they would entirely hide your eyes. 

Head coverings are not permitted, except for religious purposes. 

Finally, you should remove your facial piercings if you do have any. 

Can I use a digital photo for my Hong Kong Passport?

Lucky you, digital photos are accepted when applying for a Hong Kong Passport. Convenient, isn’t it? Indeed, being able to take your pictures from home instead of having to face the crowd in photo booths or at the photographer is completely life-changing. 

How to take a picture with your phone using PhotoAiD?

As mentioned earlier, taking your Hong Kong passport photo from home is probably the easiest and fastest way to get passport photos. That's why our PhotoAiD app was designed, which allows you to take your passport photos either via the website or through the free mobile app available on Android and Apple.

The process is very simple, all you need to do is take your photos using your smartphone or a camera, and upload your favorite to our website or mobile app. Then, just let our photo editor do the rest!

Still, note the few tips we have prepared for you:

• Keep it natural! Don't take the opportunity to retouch your photo with a filter on Instagram or Snapchat, our application will automatically detect it and your photo will not be editable.
• Ask someone to take your picture or use a tripod if no one can help you. In both cases, avoid selfies!
• One last reminder: make sure your face is fully visible in the photo, don't be too close or too far from the camera.

Why use our photo editing tool?

Digital photos are accepted, but a JPEG format is asked. Guess what? It’s the format proposed by PhotoAiD! 

Our professional tool with artificial intelligence allows you to take your ID photos online from home for almost any official document. All you have to do is upload your photo to our online photo editor or via our mobile application for Android or Apple.

You will then have nothing to do on this side, since our software will take care of the rest.

Unlike traditional photo booths that only give you three tries to take your photos and that often lead to frustration in case of dissatisfaction, our application lets you take as many photos as you want before you even pay! You then have the possibility to back out if you consider that you are not at your best to take pictures.

Once you've chosen your photo, all you have to do is end the process by printing your photos yourself or have them delivered directly to your home (delivery will take a few days).