Taiwan Passport Photo Rules
Taiwan's passport photo standards are set by the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) and follow the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules. The format is 35 mm wide by 45 mm tall, with the head measuring 32 to 36 mm from crown to chin on a white background, taken within the last 6 months. This guide covers the full specification, including glasses, religious head coverings, children and digital uploads. This page covers Taiwan (Republic of China) rules. Verified against the official BOCA page, 2026-09-30.
The requirements at a glance
| Size | 35 x 45 mm (excluding the border) |
| Head length (crown to chin) | 32–36 mm, i.e. 70–80% of the photo, face centred |
| Background | White |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months, no ink marks or creases |
| Format | Colour, front-facing, hat off, facial features clear; two paper photos |
| Digital upload | JPG/JPEG, RGB (at least 24-bit), ≤5 MB, at least 531 px high and 413 px wide |
Size and head length
The photo is 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm tall (35 x 45 mm) excluding the border, framed close on the head and top of the shoulders. The head — measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin — must be between 3.2 cm and 3.6 cm (32–36 mm), which corresponds to the face occupying 70 to 80 percent of the photo. The face must be centred left to right. These are the same proportional rules used for many ICAO-compliant passports, so a photo that fits one European biometric standard will usually frame correctly here too.
Background and lighting
The background must be white, and the light sources must be even, with no shadow and no flash reflection on the face that would make it unevenly light or dark, and no red-eye. The official guidance also sets out the camera setup: the lens should be level with the subject's eyes, about 1.2 metres away (at least 1 metre), with no optical or lighting distortion, no digital zoom and a correct white balance. Multiple diffuse light sources should be used so the lighting is symmetric and complementary, illuminate the background and remove shadows, and the studio must not be affected by outdoor light. For help getting this right at home, see the backgrounds guide.
Pose, expression, hair and glasses
You must look straight at the camera with both eyes open and clearly visible, a natural, unexaggerated expression and the mouth closed (no teeth showing); an exception is allowed where a medical reason prevents closing the mouth. The skin tone should appear natural, with suitable brightness and contrast. Hair must not cover any part of the eyebrows or eyes, and the face must be shown without turning or tilting; both sides of the face, the outlines of both ears, and any distinctive moles, birthmarks or scars must be clear and uncovered (for microtia, hair may cover the ears but the face outline must still be clear). If you wear glasses, your eyes must be clear with no flash reflection, and tinted glasses are not allowed except for the visually impaired; the frames must not cover any part of the eyes, so thick frames are discouraged. Do not wear tinted contact lenses or pupil-enlarging lenses, and do not wear military or police uniform or camouflage clothing.
Religious head coverings and children
If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, it is permitted, but the facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, and the outlines of both sides of the face, must be clearly visible. For our general notes on this, see the head coverings guide. Children must appear alone in the photo, with no chair back, toys, pacifier, other people or the hand of the person helping them — a common reason baby photos are rejected.
Print quality and digital uploads
The photo should be printed at high resolution on high-quality glossy paper, sharp and clear, with no blurring or jagged edges, and the image must not be resampled or resized before printing. If taken with a digital camera, it must have at least 3 megapixels, set to the highest quality and colour, with no digital retouching or enhancement. When uploading through the BOCA online system, the electronic file must be JPG or JPEG, RGB (at least 24-bit), no larger than 5 MB, at least 531 pixels high and at least 413 pixels wide.
Common mistakes
- Using a phone selfie — BOCA warns this can produce a mirror image or wide-angle distortion, which is not ICAO-compliant and can delay the passport.
- Hair covering the eyebrows or eyes.
- Glasses with glare, tinted lenses, or thick frames that cover the eyes.
- A photo older than 6 months, or one with creases or ink marks.
- Including a chair back, toy or hand in a child's photo.
For the numeric specification in table form, see our Taiwan passport photo size page. The underlying standard is explained in the ICAO 9303 guide, and the taking a photo at home guide covers doing it yourself safely.
Source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) — "Chip Passport Photo Specifications" page, retrieved 2026-09-30 (page published/updated 2025-08-29). Requirements can change, so confirm them on the official page before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Taiwan passport photo?
The photo is 35 mm wide by 45 mm tall, excluding the border. The head, from the crown to the bottom of the chin, must measure between 32 mm and 36 mm, which is 70 to 80 percent of the photo, and the face must be centred.
What background does Taiwan require?
A white background. The light sources must be even, with no shadow and no flash reflection on the face, and no red-eye.
How old can the photo be?
It must have been taken within the last 6 months, with no ink marks or creases.
Can I wear a head covering for religious reasons?
Yes, if you wear a head covering for religious reasons, but the facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, and the outlines of both sides of the face, must be clearly visible.
Can I wear glasses?
Yes, but your eyes must be clearly visible, there must be no flash reflection on the glasses, and tinted glasses are not allowed (except for the visually impaired). The frames must not cover any part of the eyes, so thick frames should be avoided.
What are the digital upload requirements?
The electronic file must be JPG or JPEG with an RGB colour mode of at least 24-bit, no larger than 5 MB, at least 531 pixels high and at least 413 pixels wide.
Can I take the photo myself with a phone?
The Bureau of Consular Affairs advises against phone selfies: they can be mirror images or distort the face through a wide-angle lens, which does not meet ICAO standards and may lead to a request for a replacement photo and a later collection date.
How should babies and children be photographed?
The child must appear alone in the photo, with no chair back, toys, pacifier, other people, or the hand of the person helping. The photo must still meet the general requirements.