Hong Kong HKSAR
Passport Photo Requirements
Australia 2025
Hong Kong resident in Australia renewing your HKSAR passport? The Immigration Department requires 40×50mm, plain white background, head height 32–36mm. Unlike the UK and Australia, glasses are permitted with conditions. Renewal available online, by post, or via the Chinese Consulate.
Quick Reference - HKSAR Immigration Dept 2025
Photo dimensions40 × 50 mm
Head height (chin–crown)32–36 mm
BackgroundPlain white only
Photo recencyWithin 6 months
ExpressionNeutral or gentle closed smile
GlassesAllowed (no tint, no glare)
Digital (online)JPEG · min 1200×1600px · max 5MB
Printed (paper/consulate)1 adult · 2 children
Renewal methodOnline, post, or Consulate
40mm
50mm
Different from the UK. HKSAR requires plain white - opposite of UK's light grey. If you hold both passports, the same photo cannot be used for both. Glasses also permitted for HKSAR, banned for UK.
What's in this guide
Glasses ARE allowed - unique advantage over UK, AU and US
HKSAR permits prescription glasses, provided frames don't cover the eyes and lenses have no tint or glare. This is a key difference if you hold both HKSAR and British passports - you need two separate photos.
Must collect passport in person - no postal delivery to Australia
Unlike Australian or UK renewals that mail the passport to your address, HKSAR passports must be collected in person at a Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney or Melbourne, or at an Immigration Office in Hong Kong.
PassPhoto applies HKSAR specs - plain white, 40×50mm, glasses reviewed
Select Hong Kong, upload your photo. We apply the correct plain white background, HKSAR-compliant 40×50mm size and all 2025 Immigration Department standards before expert review and delivery.
Real results
Your photo, compliant.
Drag the slider to see exactly how we turn an everyday selfie into an HKSAR Immigration Department-compliant 40×50mm photo with plain white background.
Common mistakes
HKSAR-ready
Before
After
40 × 50mm · Plain white · Head height 32–36mm
Original photo
PassPhoto result
Wrong size (35×45mm)
Shadow on background
Correct 40×50mm
Plain white background
Drag to compare · Touch-friendly
Photo size
40 × 50 mm
Background
Plain white
Glasses
Allowed
Official specifications
The exact HKSAR numbers - verified.
Official requirements from the Hong Kong Immigration Department. All specifications apply whether applying online, by post from Australia, or in person at a Chinese Consulate.
| Requirement | Official Specification | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Photo size | 40 × 50 mm | Wider and taller than Australian and UK (35×45mm). Photos prepared for other countries cannot be used. | HKSAR size |
Head height (chin–crown) | 32–36 mm | Face fills approximately 70–80% of photo height. Head centred horizontally and not tilted. Both eyes at same level. | Required |
Background | Plain white only | Completely uniform white. No shadows, gradients or patterns. Opposite of UK (light grey). Cannot reuse UK passport photo. | Required |
Expression | Neutral or gentle closed smile | A natural, gentle closed-mouth smile is acceptable. No teeth visible. Both eyes open and looking at camera. | Flexible |
Glasses | Allowed (conditions apply) | Clear prescription glasses permitted if frames don't cover eyes, lenses are untinted, and no glare on lenses. Banned in UK, AU, US, CA. | Conditional |
Photo recency | Within 6 months | Must represent your current appearance. Significant appearance changes require a new photo even within 6 months. | Required |
Digital (online app) | JPEG · min 1200×1600px · max 5MB | For applications via immd.gov.hk. The portal auto-checks basics but HKSAR manually reviews every photo. | Online only |
Printed (postal/consulate) | 1 colour (adult) · 2 (children) | Do not fold, staple, write on back, or attach with paperclip. Photo is laser-engraved; any damage affects final quality. | Required |
Digital editing | Not permitted | No retouching, skin smoothing or filters. Photos that appear too light, too dark, blurry or pixelated will not be processed. | Not allowed |
Detailed requirements
Every HKSAR rule, explained clearly.
These requirements apply to all HKSAR passport applications - online, postal, or via Chinese Consulate in Australia.
01 · SIZE
Photo Size - 40 × 50mm
HKSAR photos are larger than Australian and UK standards. At 40mm wide × 50mm high, head height must be 32–36mm - filling 70–80% of the frame. Photos from other countries will be the wrong size.
Never reuse prints from Australian, UK or other passport applications. The size difference is significant enough to cause immediate rejection.
02 · BACKGROUND
Plain White Background
Completely plain, uniform white only - no shadows, gradients or patterns. This is the opposite of the UK (light grey/cream). If you hold both HKSAR and British passports, you need two separate photos with different backgrounds.
Stand at least 1 metre from the wall to prevent shadows. PassPhoto digitally applies HKSAR-precise white to every HK order.
03 · GLASSES
Glasses Allowed - Clear Lenses Only
Unlike UK, Australian and US passports, HKSAR permits prescription glasses - with conditions. Frames must not cover any part of the eyes, lenses must be completely clear with no tint, and absolutely no glare on lenses.
Even light blue-filter or "barely tinted" lenses must be removed. When in doubt, take off glasses entirely - contact lenses with natural colour are always safer.
04 · EXPRESSION
Neutral or Gentle Closed Smile
HKSAR is more relaxed on expression than UK or Australia. A very gentle natural closed-mouth smile is acceptable - no teeth visible. Either neutral or a subtle smile works. Both eyes fully open, looking directly at the camera lens.
Head must be straight - not tilted or turned. Eyes at the same horizontal level, looking at the lens, not the preview screen.
05 · HANDLING
Do Not Write, Fold or Staple Photos
HKSAR passport photos are laser-engraved directly onto the passport data page. Any physical damage to the photo surface - fold marks, staple holes, pen impressions on the back - affects the laser engraving quality and causes rejection.
Submit photos in a rigid photo mailer, never folded or in a regular envelope. Do not use paperclips either - they leave impression marks on the surface.
06 · CHILDREN
Children Require Two Photos
Children under 16 require 2 identical colour photos (adults require 1). All the same standards apply, with an exception for very young infants who don't need eyes fully open. No other person, toys or objects may be visible.
For babies, lay them on a clean white sheet and photograph from above - this naturally provides the required white background.
Unique HK advantage
Glasses are allowed
in HKSAR photos.
The UK, Australia, USA and Canada have all banned glasses from passport photos. The HKSAR Immigration Department is one of the few remaining major passport authorities that still permits prescription glasses - a genuine advantage for glasses wearers.
HKSAR Glasses Rules
Clear prescription glasses
Allowed
Contact lenses (natural colour)
Allowed
Tinted or coloured lenses
Not allowed
Flash glare / lens reflections
Not allowed
Frames covering any part of eye
Not allowed
Coloured / cosmetic contact lenses
Not allowed
Glasses in Passport Photos - Country Comparison
Hong Kong (HKSAR)
Allowed (with conditions)
United Kingdom
Banned since Nov 2022
Australia
Banned
United States
Banned since 2016
Canada
Banned
China (Mainland)
Generally not recommended
Glasses tip for HKSAR
Use diffuse window light - not flash. On an overcast day, face a large north-facing window. Natural light eliminates lens glare entirely, which is the single most common reason glasses-wearing applicants are rejected.
HKSAR background requirement
Plain white background -
strictly required.
HKSAR requires completely plain white - no shadows, no gradients, no textures. This is the same as Mainland China, Japan and USA, but the opposite of the UK which requires light grey or cream. If you hold both HKSAR and British passports, you need two separate photos.
Cannot reuse your UK passport photo
UK photos use light grey or cream backgrounds. HKSAR requires plain white. A UK-prepared photo will be rejected by HKSAR - and vice versa. Always order separately.
Australian photo studios should be fine - but double-check
AusPost and Officeworks typically produce white backgrounds that align with HKSAR. However, studio lighting can create subtle grey tones. The background must be completely plain white with no shadows or variation.
Plain white
Completely plain, uniform white background
HKSAR approved
Light grey
Grey backgrounds are rejected by HKSAR (correct for UK, wrong for HK)
HKSAR rejected
Cream / off-white
Off-white or cream tones are not accepted by HKSAR
HKSAR rejected
Side by side comparison
HK vs Australian passport photos -
key differences.
HKSAR and Australian passport photos differ in size and several key requirements. Here's the full comparison.
HKSAR Passport Photo
HKSAR Immigration Department 2025
Photo size40 × 50 mm
Head height32–36 mm
BackgroundPlain white only
Photo recencyWithin 6 months
GlassesAllowed (no tint/glare)
ExpressionNeutral or gentle closed smile
Prints required1 adult · 2 children
Passport deliveryCollect in person only
Australian Passport Photo
Australian Passport Office 2025
Photo size35–40 × 45–50mmDifferent
Head height32–36mmSimilar
BackgroundWhite or light greySimilar
Photo recencyWithin 6 monthsSame
GlassesBannedDifferent
ExpressionStrictly neutralDifferent
Prints required2 identical printsDifferent
Passport deliveryMailed to addressEasier
Quick reference
Do's & Don'ts for HKSAR passport photos.
You MUST do this
Photo exactly 40mm × 50mm
Plain, uniform white background - no shadows
Take photo within 6 months of applying
Head height 32–36mm, centred horizontally
Both eyes open, looking directly at camera lens
Wear clothing that contrasts with white background
Submit photos in perfect, undamaged condition
Digital: JPEG, min 1200×1600px, max 5MB (online)
You must NOT do this
Use photos prepared for another country's passport
Use a grey or cream background (correct for UK - wrong for HK)
Wear tinted glasses or glasses with any lens glare
Fold, staple, write on, or paperclip the photo
Wear white or very light clothing against white background
Apply heavy make-up that substantially alters features
Retouch, filter or digitally edit the photo in any way
Use coloured or cosmetically-tinted contact lenses
Rejection reasons
The most common HKSAR
photo rejection causes.
Each of these causes a rejection and delays your application. The photo is returned and must be resubmitted.
01
Wrong photo size - 35×45mm instead of 40×50mm
The most common error from Australian applicants. Photos prepared for Australian passports at AusPost or Officeworks are 35×45mm. HKSAR requires 40×50mm. The size difference is immediately detectable and causes automatic rejection.
Order specifically for Hong Kong
02
Shadow on the background
Standing too close to the wall causes shadow from the head and shoulders to fall on the white background, making it appear grey or uneven. HKSAR requires completely plain, uniform white - any shadow-caused variation results in rejection.
Stand 1m+ from background
03
Glasses with glare or tinted lenses
While HKSAR permits glasses, lens glare (from flash photography or overhead single-source lighting) is one of the most common glasses-related failures. Even subtle lens reflections that obscure part of the iris cause rejection. Tinted or "blue light" lenses also fail.
Use diffuse window light, no flash
04
Photo physically damaged - folded, stapled or written on
HKSAR explicitly states that photos that have been folded, stapled, written on the back, or attached with paperclips will not be used. The photo is laser-engraved onto the passport; any surface damage affects the final result and causes rejection without exception.
Rigid photo mailer only
05
Photo too light, too dark, blurry or pixelated
HKSAR explicitly states these will not be processed. Overexposed, underexposed, out-of-focus or low-resolution photos (particularly digital files below the 1200×1600px minimum) are rejected. The photo quality directly determines the quality of the laser-engraved image in the finished passport.
Professional quality, 300 DPI
06
Heavy make-up that substantially alters features
HKSAR explicitly prohibits heavy make-up in its photo guidelines. Natural cosmetics are acceptable, but heavy contouring, dramatic eye make-up or theatrical looks that substantially alter the natural facial features cause rejection. The passport photo must be a true representation of how you typically appear.
Natural make-up only
07
White or light clothing blending with white background
HKSAR requires a white background, which means wearing white or near-white clothing creates insufficient contrast for the automated photo processing system to correctly identify head and shoulder positioning. White tops, cream tops, very pale grey and similar light tones all risk failing this check.
Wear medium to dark clothing
Renewing from Australia
Three ways to renew your HKSAR passport
from Australia.
Unlike the UK (online-only from overseas), HKSAR offers multiple renewal routes from Australia. All require in-person collection.
Online
Online Application
Eligible adults aged 18+ holding a valid HKSAR permanent identity card can apply via immd.gov.hk. Upload a digital photo (JPEG, min 1200×1600px, max 5MB) and pay online. Not available for lost/damaged passports.
Passport must still be collected in person - it cannot be delivered to an Australian address.
By Post
Postal Application
Complete Form ID 841 (adults) or ID 842 (children under 16) and mail with a colour photo to the Immigration Department, 4/F Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Pay by crossed cheque.
Allow 4–6 weeks for postal transit plus processing time. Use registered international post with tracking.
In Person
Chinese Consulate-General
Apply in person at the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney (39 Dunblane St, Camperdown NSW) or Melbourne (77 Irving Road, Toorak VIC). Bring completed Form ID 841/842, colour photo and original supporting documents.
Particularly useful for complex cases (name change, first-time, lost passport). Call ahead to confirm requirements.
Unique HKSAR rule
Must collect in person -
no postal delivery to Australia.
Unlike Australian or UK passport renewals which mail to your address, HKSAR passports require in-person collection. Plan around this requirement before applying.
Where you can collect from Australia
Chinese Consulate-General, Sydney - 39 Dunblane St, Camperdown NSW 2050
Chinese Consulate-General, Melbourne - 77 Irving Road, Toorak VIC 3142
Any Immigration Office in Hong Kong - if visiting HK
Cannot be mailed to your Australian home address
What to bring for collection
Original HKSAR permanent identity card
Current / old HKSAR passport for cancellation
Collection Notice from the Immigration Department
For children under 16: consenting parent or guardian must accompany
Step by step
How to take your HKSAR passport
photo at home.
The larger 40×50mm format and glasses-allowed rule give you more flexibility than most countries. Follow these steps for an HKSAR-accepted result.
1
Find a plain white wall or white sheet
HKSAR requires plain white - not grey, not cream, not patterned. A clean white wall, foam board, or plain white bedsheet hung flat all work. Stand at least 1 metre from the background to prevent shadows.
Home tip: A clean white wall under natural window light is ideal. If the wall looks warm or cream in photos, upload to PassPhoto - we replace the background with precise HKSAR-compliant white digitally.
2
Glasses wearers - use diffuse window light, no flash
Glare is the most common glasses-related rejection. Face a large window on an overcast day for completely shadow-free, glare-free results. Avoid flash entirely. Tilt the glasses very slightly down at the front to reduce reflections. Take multiple test shots and review on a large screen.
Glasses checklist: Clear lenses - No tint - Frames not over eyes - No glare on lenses - Eyes fully visible. If any item fails, remove glasses or use natural-colour contacts.
3
Avoid white or very light clothing
Against a white background, white or pale clothing creates insufficient contrast for automated processing to correctly identify head and shoulder positioning. Medium to dark tones - navy, charcoal, dark green, burgundy - work best.
HKSAR clothing rule: HKSAR guidelines say "avoid overly dark or overly light coloured clothing." Navy blue is the safest choice for white-background passports.
4
Expression: neutral or a very gentle closed smile
HKSAR is more relaxed than UK or Australia on expression. Completely neutral works, but a very gentle natural closed-mouth smile is also acceptable - no teeth. Both eyes fully open, looking at the camera lens, head straight.
Tip: Turn off Portrait Mode, Beauty/Skin Smooth and AI enhancement on your phone. Any processing that alters skin or features is detectable and causes rejection.
5
Upload to PassPhoto - we handle 40×50mm sizing and white background
Upload and select Hong Kong. We apply the precise HKSAR specs: plain white background, 40×50mm with correct 32–36mm head height, and produce a JPEG digital file at the correct resolution (min 1200×1600px, max 5MB) for the Immigration Department's online portal.
Why PassPhoto for HKSAR: The unique 40×50mm size (different from Australian and UK standards) and the glasses conditions are where most applicants go wrong. We apply HKSAR specifications to every HK order before expert human review.
Chinese representation in Australia
Chinese Consulates in Australia.
Chinese Consulates-General in Australia accept HKSAR passport applications in person and serve as collection points for passports issued by the HKSAR Immigration Department.
Sydney
Chinese Consulate-General
Address
39 Dunblane Street, Camperdown NSW 2050
Phone
+61 2 8595 8001
HKSAR passport services
Accepts applications in person and serves as passport collection point
Melbourne
Chinese Consulate-General
Address
77 Irving Road, Toorak VIC 3142
Phone
+61 3 9804 3683
HKSAR passport services
Accepts applications in person and serves as passport collection point
Online / Postal
HKSAR Immigration Department
Online portal
immd.gov.hk - "Application for HKSAR Passport"
Postal address (HK)
4/F Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Processing time
~5 working days from receipt. Add postal transit time from Australia.
HKSAR-compliant guarantee
Every order reviewed against official 2025 Immigration Department specifications before dispatch.
Same-day digital file
JPEG at correct 1200×1600px minimum, max 5MB - ready to upload to immd.gov.hk the same day.
1–2 day print delivery
Professional glossy prints delivered to any Australian address. Correct 40×50mm, plain white background.
Free reprint guarantee
If our photo is rejected, we reprint and redeliver at zero cost. No questions asked.
Frequently asked
HKSAR passport photo questions answered.
HKSAR passport photos must be 40mm wide × 50mm high. Head height (chin to crown) must be 32–36mm, filling approximately 70–80% of the photo height. For digital online applications, the minimum resolution is 1200×1600 pixels, JPEG format, maximum 5MB. This size is larger than Australian and UK standards (35×45mm) - photos prepared for other countries cannot be used.
Plain white - no shadows, patterns, textures or gradients. This is different from the UK (which requires light grey or cream), but the same as China, India, Japan and the USA. A UK passport photo with a grey background cannot be used for HKSAR - and vice versa. If you hold both passports, order two separate photos.
Yes - but with conditions. Glasses are permitted provided: frames do not cover any part of the eyes, lenses are completely clear (no tint, no colour), and there is absolutely no glare or flash reflection on the lenses. Use diffuse natural window light to avoid glare. Sunglasses, tinted lenses, and frames that obscure the eyes are not permitted. When in doubt, remove glasses entirely.
Three options: (1) Online via immd.gov.hk - upload a digital photo, eligible adults aged 18+ only; (2) By post to the Immigration Department in Hong Kong using Form ID 841/842; (3) In person at the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney or Melbourne. All methods require in-person collection - the new passport cannot be mailed to your Australian address.
The HKSAR Immigration Department requires photos taken within the last 6 months that show your current appearance. Even within 6 months - significant appearance changes such as major weight change, different hair colour, or new glasses require a new photo.
For adult HKSAR passport applications, 1 colour photo is required. For children's applications (under 16), 2 identical colour photos are required. For online applications, 1 digital photo upload is required (JPEG, min 1200×1600px, max 5MB). Do not fold, staple, write on the back, or attach photos with paperclips - any damage affects the laser engraving quality.
No - the sizes are different. Australian passport photos are 35×45mm; HKSAR requires 40×50mm. Additionally, Australian photos ban glasses while HKSAR allows them. If you need photos for both passports, order them separately.
No. The HKSAR Immigration Department explicitly states: do not fold, staple, or write on the back of the photograph, or attach it with a paperclip. Unlike UK passports (which require a countersignatory signature on the back), HKSAR photos must be submitted in perfect, undamaged condition.
Understanding HKSAR Passport Photo Requirements in Australia
Australia is home to one of the world's most significant Hong Kong diaspora communities, with hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong-born residents and an increasing number of arrivals following the introduction of dedicated visa streams. For these residents, renewing an HKSAR passport from Australia involves navigating requirements that differ from both Australian and UK passport standards in several important ways. The most immediately notable difference is photo size: while Australian, UK, Japanese and Korean passport photos all use a 35×45mm format, HKSAR passport photos are 40×50mm - per the official specifications published by the HKSAR Immigration Department.immd.gov.hk
The glasses rules represent another important distinction. The UK banned glasses from passport photos in November 2022, and Australia, USA and Canada have similarly prohibited them. The HKSAR Immigration Department remains one of the few major passport authorities that still permits prescription glasses - with conditions. The lenses must be clear and untinted, frames must not cover any part of the eyes, and no glare or lens reflections are permitted. For HKSAR applicants who wear glasses, natural diffuse window light (as opposed to flash or single overhead lights) is essential to avoid the lens glare that is one of the most frequent glasses-related rejection causes.Photo standards
The renewal process from Australia has additional complexity specific to HKSAR: all passports must be collected in person at a designated location and cannot be mailed to an Australian address. For New South Wales residents, the Chinese Consulate-General in Camperdown, Sydney accepts HKSAR passport applications. Victorian residents can use the Chinese Consulate-General in Toorak, Melbourne. Alternatively, eligible adults aged 18+ can apply online through the HKSAR Immigration Department website, with collection at the consulate or during a visit to Hong Kong.
PassPhoto's HKSAR passport photo service automatically applies all Immigration Department specifications when you select Hong Kong. The correct 40×50mm size with 32–36mm head height, plain white background, and the JPEG digital file at the required 1200×1600px minimum resolution for the online portal are all applied before expert human review. Whether applying online, by post, or through the Chinese Consulate in Sydney or Melbourne, PassPhoto ensures your photo meets every requirement that the HKSAR Immigration Department uses to assess photo compliance.
PassPhoto is an independent service - not affiliated with the HKSAR Immigration Department or the Government of Hong Kong. All requirements on this page are drawn from official HKSAR publications: immd.gov.hk/hksar-passport and immd.gov.hk/photo_standard - verified September 2025.
Plain white background.
HKSAR compliant. Same day.
HKSAR compliant. Same day.
Upload your photo. We apply the HKSAR plain white background, correct 40×50mm size with 32–36mm head height, and produce the exact JPEG file for the online portal. Expert review, same-day digital delivery, prints in 1–2 days.