Getting a new passport or applying for a Hong Kong visa? Create a Hong Kong passport photo size 40x50 mm with our online tool — upload your selfie and get a HKSAR-compliant photo in under 30 seconds.
PhotoGov is an independent service. We are not affiliated with any government, embassy, or consulate. All information on this website is based on official government requirements and verified primary sources. Final acceptance is determined solely by the issuing authority.
Create a Hong Kong visa and passport photo 40x50 mm online for free with our photo-making tool. Follow the guided steps below to get a fully compliant image.
Using smart recognition, auto-cropping, and compliance-mapping technology, our tool transforms a regular selfie into an official Hong Kong passport or visa photo in seconds. All you need is your phone, internet connection, and half a minute — PhotoGov handles everything else.
Photo Upload
Take a selfie and upload it to the PhotoGov platform.
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In about 30 seconds, the system processes the image.
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Get your HK passport photo size 40x50 mm.
Authored by:
John Bates (Travel/Visa expert)
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Hong Kong passport photo requirements are set by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR), and are based on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) biometric standards. Both Hong Kong passport and visa photos adhere to the same standards.
For a successful application, a photograph must exactly adhere to the HK government regulations. This is where PhotoGov comes in handy: simply upload your portrait to our platform, and it will automatically adjust it to meet the following HKSAR guidelines:
One digital photo is required for online submissions with the application form, and one original photograph scanned or in print quality — for in-person submissions.
A photograph must be taken within the past six months of the HK passport application and exactly reflect the applicant's current looks.
The original photo, or processed by a scanner must follow the official Hong Kong passport photo requirements and have the size of 40x50 mm (1.57x1.97 in), with the distance from the head crown to the chin 32-36 mm (1.26x1.42 in). The smallest acceptable dimension for a digital photograph for online applications — 1,200x1,600 px.
he HK passport photo must be submitted in colour, exactly reflecting the applicant's natural skin tone and hair colour. Overly dark or light photographs aren't acceptable. Applicants must avoid heavy make up or any personalisation that alters facial features.
A plain white background is required for a Hong Kong passport photo. It mustn't have any shadows, glare, textures, patterns, or foreign objects.
Soft, distorted lighting is required for HK passport photos. The image must show clear facial features without shadows, glare, or flash reflection.
The applicant's full frontal face, squared to the camera, and looking directly into it, is required for printed or digital photographs. The HK passport photo must be free of any frames or decorative elements.
Neutral facial expression with no smiling, laughing, or frowning is required for any HK identity document. The applicant's eyes must be open and mouth closed.
Formal or everyday attire is suitable for an HK passport photo. Refrain from wearing overly light coloured clothing as it will blend with the white background. Military attire can't be worn in ID photos. The applicant can wear a head dress only for religious or medical purposes. In case of the latter, a signed letter from the doctor must be submitted along with an application form. Accessories that obstruct facial features or the hairline aren't allowed.
Glasses are allowed in a HK passport size photo, provided that the frame does not cover the eyes or have any glare from flash reflections.
Photos taken with a digital camera or smartphone must be submitted in an acceptable file format — JPEG, GIF, or TIF, with a maximum image size of 2 MB.
Today, with tools like PhotoGov, you can take a fully compliant Hong Kong passport photo from the comfort of your home or office. No need to rush to a professional studio — all you need is a smartphone, good daylight, and our expert tips.
Find a well-lit spot by the window, ideally, with a white background (if you don't have it, you can hang a white sheet with a paper clip).
Keep your head centred, wearing everyday clothing with a plain neckline. Avoid accessories that cast shadows or obstruct your face.
Take a few headshots by holding a phone (front camera) about 40-50 cm (16-20 in) away from your face.
Select the best image and convert it into an HK passport-size photo with our free online tool.
Taking photos of your child follows similar steps but with minor differences. Once the image is captured, upload it to PhotoGov — and it will instantly transform it into a passport-size photo.
Uniform lighting from a natural source, plain background.
A newborn may lie on a blanket; older children — sit or stand.
Neutral facial expression, no crying or laughing.
No toys, parents’ hands, or other objects in the frame.
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Passport applications are available online via the HKSAR website or by appointment at one of the Immigration Department offices. Follow the information provided to submit your application.
Visa applications can be submitted online via the HKSAR Immigration Department website. Select your visa type, and fill out the online application. You can also apply for an HK visa with authorized visa service providers or at a consulate or embassy in your country of residency.
Check this list to confirm whether your nationality qualifies for a visa on arrival.
PhotoGov uses intelligent image-processing technology to adjust your original photo to the latest requirements of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR). The system compares each file to the stored technical criteria — from size and proportions to background tone and lighting balance. These parameters are reviewed regularly by our internal compliance team, which tracks updates to official guidelines and verifies all changes manually.
Every photo produced through PhotoGov follows the professional standards accepted for HKSAR passports. The software automatically adjusts framing, contrast, and position, ensuring a natural look that meets biometric standards. You can also refine details such as clothing or background without affecting facial geometry.
For applicants who want an extra level of certainty, PhotoGov offers Human Verification — a manual check by a certified expert to confirm that your image meets every technical and visual condition before submission.
The successfully uploaded photograph for an HK passport or visa must meet the following HKSAR requirements:
Print photo size 40×50 mm (1.57x1.97 in), head size 32-36 mm (1.26x1.42 in)
The photograph must include sufficient headroom above the crown, keeping the face centered and properly framed for identity verification
Digital photograph submitted in JPEG file size, 2 MB max (GIF or TIF image type is also allowed), minimum 1200x1600 pixels
White background, sharp, free from glare and shadows
Natural facial expression, looking directly into the camera.
These guidelines apply to every application submitted to the Immigration Department. Follow them exactly, as a substandard photograph — for example, one that appears too light, too dark, or is of incorrect size — cannot be used for processing for passport or visa purposes.
To save time and money, trust the photo-making process to PhotoGov: it will format your original portrait to the official specifications of Hong Kong authorities.
You can print a passport photo at well-known chains such as Fotomax or Photobi HK that have branches across Hong Kong. To save time, use our online tool to create your passport photograph, download it in printable PDF format on a single sheet, and have it printed on the spot.
By using online photo-making tools like PhotoGov. It's a modern, convenient option that allows you to save time and money and skip a visit to a studio. The whole process takes less than 30 seconds:
Take a selfie with your smartphone or tablet.
On the PhotoGov platform, choose a country and a document type.
Upload your photograph to our online photo-making tool. You don't have to worry that the successfully uploaded photograph meets the official requirements — our system takes care of it.
Wait for under a minute while the software converts your photo to meet the HKSAR requirements, cropping, resizing, centering, and adjusting the background.
Select additional options, such as clothing adjustment, priority processing, or human verification.
Download the image in high quality. It is ready for application to the Immigration headquarters, offices or online.
You only need to submit one high quality photo that meets the official HKSAR specifications. Before application, make sure that your photo adheres to these standards: the best way to do so is to use the PhotoGov passport photo maker that automatically adjusts your original photo to the government guidelines for HK passport-size photos.
Photos taken at pharmacies, shipping centers or retail stores usually fall within the $15 range. Visiting a professional photographer may require a higher budget. But there is always a free option available right from the comfort of your home — the Hong Kong passport photo online free tool PhotoGov. Just upload your selfie, and our service will convert it into a passport-size photo for HK.
Carefully review the requirements outlined by the HKSAR that we’ve provided on this page. Use our HK passport photo online free tool to ensure that your image adheres to all hong kong passport photo requirements, including size, framing, head positioning, background and distance from the camera.
The best way is to use our HK passport photo online free tool, which will seamlessly create a work authorization photo in 30 seconds. First, click a selfie. Make sure the lighting is even, free of shadows. Choose a white background, keep a neutral expression, and capture a high-resolution image. Upload it to PhotoGov, and get an application-ready picture in printable or digital format.
Your picture should be taken within the six months to accurately show your current appearance.
Yes. Mobile applications and online platforms like PhotoGov are designed for making passport and visa photo size 40x50 mm, 100% compliant with the Hong Kong government official requirements.
Simply follow the on-screen instructions on the PhotoGov website. Take or upload a ready selfie to the platform, wait for about 30 seconds while the system processes your image to meet all document criteria, and download a digital or a printable file that is 100% compliant with the HKSAR requirements.
Hong Kong Passport Applications: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR)
Hong Kong Visas, General Information: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Immigration Department
The List of Visa on Arrival Countries: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Immigration Department
Biometric Regulations for International ID Documents: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Hong Kong
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