Hong Kong SAR Passport & ImmD Visa Photo Guide (40×50mm & Online Spec)
Applying for an HKSAR Passport, Hong Kong Top Talent Pass (TTPS / 高才通), Quality Migrant (QMAS), or Student/Employment Visa? Understand Hong Kong ImmD's 40×50 mm paper standard vs. online digital upload rules — and crop privately in your browser.
🔒 100% Client-Side Browser Privacy · 100% Client-Side Canvas · Pure White Backdrop Boost · Zero Biometric Upload
中文提示：香港入境處特區護照紙本標準為 40×50mm（頭高 32–36mm），而網上申請特區護照及高才通/優才/學生簽證可直接上傳純白底數碼證件照；若同時辦理回鄉證，可在工具下拉菜單一鍵切換至 33×48mm 規格！
Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) Photo Specifications
| Channel | Official ImmD Requirement | Key Biometric Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| Paper HKSAR Passport Photo | 40 mm wide × 50 mm high (4 × 5 cm) | Chin to crown: 32 mm – 36 mm |
| Online HKSAR Passport Upload | Min 1200 × 1600 px (3:4 ratio), JPEG ≤ 5 MB | Auto-centered by GovHK e-Passport portal |
| HK Visa / TTPS / QMAS e-Visa | 40×50 mm to 50×55 mm (or clean biometric portrait) | Plain white background, no headgear/glare |
| Home Returning Card (回鄉證) | 33 mm × 48 mm ('China preset' in dropdown!) | Strict CTS 33×48mm pure white + barcode slip |
Hong Kong Photo Booths (Fotomax / MTR) vs. DIY 4R Print Cost
| HK / Overseas Option | Studio / Booth Fee | DIY 4R (4×6") Kiosk Print | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fotomax (快圖美) ID Service | HK$98 – HK$138 (4–6 prints) | HK$2.50 – HK$4.00 standard 4R print | Save HK$95+ (96%) |
| MTR Station Instant Booth | HK$60 – HK$80 (4 prints) | Online GovHK digital upload = HK$0 | Save 100% on online renewals! |
| Overseas Chinese Embassy (HKSAR) | $16.99 US / £12 UK booth | $0.39 CVS / £0.45 Boots 4×6" print | Save 95%+ abroad |
How to Prepare HKSAR Online Renewal & Visa Photos Privately
- Stand 1.5m from the camera in front of a pure white wall wearing dark clothing with sufficient neck/collar contrast.
- For online GovHK HKSAR Passport or TTPS/QMAS Visa applications, you do NOT need physical prints — shoot with your phone's main rear camera (≥ 1200×1600 px) or crop cleanly in our offline studio with White-Background Boost.
- Need Mainland Travel Permit (回鄉證) or PRC Visa photos at the same time? Switch the Studio preset dropdown to 'China 33×48 mm' in 1 click!
- For paper postal applications requiring 40×50 mm prints, align your head height to 32–36 mm and leave 2.5 mm extra white margin around 35×45 mm ticks when trimming to 40×50 mm.
3 Hong Kong ImmD Photo Rejections to Avoid
- Confusing HKSAR Passport (40×50 mm) with Home Return Permit 回鄉證 (33×48 mm): They use completely different aspect ratios — switch presets accordingly.
- Heavy hair shadow on the wall behind ears: Place two lamps or stand directly facing a bright window and use White-Background Boost.
- Thick spectacle frames touching the upper eyelid: Take glasses off completely so ImmD e-Channel facial gates enroll cleanly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Hong Kong SAR passport photo?
Physical HKSAR passport photos measure 40 mm wide by 50 mm high with a chin-to-crown head height between 32 mm and 36 mm against a plain white background.
Do I need printed 40x50mm photos if I renew my HKSAR passport online?
No! Online applications via GovHK accept a digital white-background JPEG (at least 1200x1600 px, under 5 MB, captured at 600 DPI equivalent) with zero printing cost.
Is Hong Kong Top Talent Pass (TTPS) photo size as strict as paper passports?
ImmD's online visa portal (TTPS, QMAS, IANG, Employment Visa) accepts clean recent front-facing white-background portraits between 40x50 mm and 55x45 mm proportions.