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The Challenge
Taiwan requires 35×45mm photos for passport, visa, and national ID with head height 32–36mm (70–80% of frame). BOCA's online system accepts digital uploads at 413×531px minimum. Coloured contact lenses cause visa rejection or immigration clearance issues. Professional photo services charge NT$200–400 ($6–12 USD).
One photo format for all Taiwan documents
Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) uses standardised 35×45mm photos for passports, visa applications, eVisa submissions, and national ID cards. The same specifications apply across all document types—create one compliant photo and use it for multiple applications within the 6-month validity period. BOCA accepts both physical prints and digital uploads via their online passport application system.
Taiwan passport photo requirements — will your photo be accepted?
- 35×45mm dimensions with head height 32–36mm (70–80% of frame)
- Head evenly centred, not touching frame edges
- Pure white background with uniform lighting, no shadows
- Taken within last 6 months, no ink marks or creases
- Face forward, eyes open and clearly visible, neutral expression, mouth closed
- No hair covering eyebrows or eyes
- Both edges of face clearly visible—no portrait-style angles
- Ears, moles, birthmarks, and scars visible and unedited
- No coloured or circle contact lenses (MOFA warning: causes visa rejection)
- If wearing glasses: no glare, no tinted lenses, no thick frames covering eyes
- No head coverings except religious/medical (face fully visible chin to forehead)
- High resolution printed on photo-quality paper
- Camera minimum 3 megapixels, highest quality setting
- No digital alteration or resampling permitted
- For digital upload: JPEG, RGB 24-bit, min 413×531px, max 5MB
MOFA warning: coloured contact lenses
- Coloured or circle (pupil-distorting) contact lenses are explicitly prohibited
- MOFA warns this may lead to visa rejection at embassies
- May also cause difficulty at immigration clearance due to mismatch with actual eye colour
- This applies to both passport and visa applications
- Remove all non-prescription coloured lenses before taking your photo
Common rejection reasons
- Head height outside 32–36mm range (must be 70–80% of frame)
- Hair covering eyebrows or eyes
- Coloured or circle contact lenses worn
- Glasses with glare, tinted lenses, or thick frames covering eyes
- Moles, birthmarks, or scars edited out (prohibited)
- Head tilted, turned sideways, or angled (portrait-style)
- Shadows on face or background
- Photo-quality paper too thin for passport production
- Digital image resampled or altered before printing
- Digital upload wrong format (must be JPEG, RGB, min 413×531px)
- Digital file exceeds 5MB
- Photo older than 6 months
How to upload digital photo to BOCA online system
- Download single JPEG file from this tool (already formatted to 413×531px)
- Verify file size is under 5MB (tool auto-compresses if needed)
- Go to BOCA website: www.boca.gov.tw
- Select 'Passport application and appointment online system'
- Navigate to photo upload section
- Upload your JPEG file (must be RGB colour mode, 24-bit minimum)
- System validates dimensions and format automatically
- If rejected, you will need to provide 2 physical prints instead
How to print Taiwan passport photos at home
- Paper: Use high-quality photo paper (matte or glossy accepted). Paper must not be too thin.
- Printer settings: Select highest quality, 100% scale (no 'fit to page'), colour mode.
- Paper size: Choose 4R (102×152mm) for 4–6 photos, or A4 for larger sheets.
- Cutting: Use sharp scissors or paper trimmer. Cut precisely along grey guide lines.
- Size verification: Final photos must measure exactly 35×45mm. Use ruler to confirm.
- Important: Do not resample or resize the image before printing—this violates BOCA rules.
- Alternative: Print at local photo shops in Taiwan (大頭照/證件照 services available at most convenience stores).
Glasses rules for Taiwan passport photos
Unlike many countries, Taiwan allows glasses in passport photos—but with strict conditions. Eyes must be clearly visible with no glare or reflections on lenses. Tinted glasses are prohibited (exception for visually impaired with documentation). Heavy frames that cover any part of the eyes are not allowed—use lightweight frames. If in doubt, BOCA recommends removing glasses for the photo to avoid rejection.
Special rules: microtia and medical exceptions
Applicants with microtia (congenital ear abnormality) are permitted to conceal their ears with hair, but both edges of the face must remain clearly visible. Applicants who are physically unable to close their mouths are exempt from the closed-mouth requirement. Religious head coverings are permitted if facial features from chin to forehead and both sides of the face remain fully visible.
Good vs bad Taiwan passport photo examples
Taking passport photos of children
- Photo must show only the child's head and shoulders
- No chair backs, toys, pacifiers, or other people visible
- Lay baby on plain white blanket on floor and photograph from above
- Eyes should be open and clearly visible
- Neutral expression (same requirements as adults)
- White background, even lighting, no shadows
- Same 32–36mm head height requirement applies to children
- Take 10–20 shots to get one compliant photo
Cost comparison: DIY vs professional in Taiwan
- Photo studio in Taiwan: NT$200–400 ($6–12 USD) for set
- Convenience store photo kiosk (7-Eleven, FamilyMart): NT$100–200 ($3–6 USD)
- Print at photo shop: NT$50–100 ($1.50–3 USD) if you provide the file
- This tool: Free—download JPEG for BOCA upload (no printing needed for online applications)
- For physical prints: print at home for NT$10–30 ($0.30–1 USD) per sheet
- Savings: NT$100–400 ($3–12 USD) per application
Taiwan national ID photo specifications
Taiwan's national ID card (國民身分證) uses the same 35×45mm photo specifications as passports. The Ministry of the Interior adopted identical ICAO standards in 2005, so one photo set works for both passport and national ID applications. Head height 32–36mm, white background, same facial feature requirements. Photos taken within 6 months accepted for both documents.
Official Taiwan Government Resources
Step-by-Step Workflow
Upload Photo
Position Head (70–80% Coverage)
Select Enhancement
Download JPEG for BOCA Upload or Print
Specifications
- Photo Size
- 35×45 mm
- Print Resolution
- 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI
- Digital Upload
- Min 413×531px, JPEG, RGB 24-bit, ≤5MB
- Head Height
- 32–36 mm (70–80% of frame)
- Background
- White (required)
- Recency
- Taken within last 6 months
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Paper Type
- High-quality photo paper
- Quantity
- 2 photos for passport applications
- Valid For
- Passport, visa, eVisa, national ID
Best Practices
- Same 35×45mm format works for passport, visa, eVisa, and national ID—one photo covers all
- Remove coloured or circle contact lenses—MOFA explicitly warns these cause visa rejection
- Do not edit out moles, birthmarks, or scars—BOCA requires these to be visible
- For BOCA online system: download single JPEG (413×531px, under 5MB) for digital upload
- Glasses are allowed but avoid thick frames, glare, and tinted lenses
- Head height must be 32–36mm (70–80% of frame)—use crop guidelines carefully
- Do not resample or resize the digital image before printing—BOCA prohibits this
- In Taiwan, convenience store kiosks offer cheap photo printing—bring your downloaded file
- Microtia exemption: applicants with ear defects may conceal ears with hair
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Taiwan passport photo requirements?
Taiwan passport photos must be 35×45mm with white background, head height 32–36mm (70–80% of frame), taken within 6 months. ICAO biometric standards apply: neutral expression, eyes open, no hair covering eyebrows, ears visible. 2 identical photos required. No coloured contact lenses.
Can I use the same photo for Taiwan passport and visa?
Yes. Taiwan passport, visa, eVisa, and national ID all use identical 35×45mm specifications with the same requirements. One photo works for all applications within the 6-month validity period.
What are the digital upload requirements for BOCA?
JPEG or JPG format, RGB colour mode (minimum 24-bit), minimum resolution 413×531 pixels, maximum file size 5MB. Upload via BOCA's passport application and appointment online system.
Can I wear glasses in Taiwan passport photos?
Yes, but with restrictions: eyes must be clearly visible, no glare or reflections on lenses, no tinted glasses (exception for visually impaired), no thick frames covering eyes. If unsure, remove glasses.
Are coloured contact lenses allowed?
No. MOFA explicitly prohibits coloured and circle (pupil-distorting) contact lenses. They warn this may lead to visa rejection or difficulty at immigration clearance due to mismatch with actual eye appearance.
Can I edit out moles or scars in my photo?
No. BOCA requires all moles, birthmarks, and scars to remain visible and unedited. Photo retouching or alteration is prohibited.
What if I have microtia?
Applicants with microtia (congenital ear abnormality) are permitted to conceal their ears with hair, provided both edges of the face remain clearly visible. This is the only ear-concealment exception.
Where can I print Taiwan passport photos?
In Taiwan: photo studios (NT$200–400), convenience store kiosks at 7-Eleven or FamilyMart (NT$100–200), or print at home on photo-quality paper. Outside Taiwan: any photo printing service—specify 35×45mm on photo paper. For online applications, print is not needed—upload JPEG directly.
Can I resize or resample my photo before printing?
No. BOCA explicitly prohibits resampling of the original image or alteration of image size before printing. Print at the original resolution.
How is this different from US passport photos?
Taiwan uses 35×45mm portrait format (US: 51×51mm square). Taiwan requires 70–80% face coverage (US: 50–69%). Taiwan allows glasses with conditions (US: no glasses). Taiwan has stricter rules on contact lenses and photo retouching. Different dimensions entirely—not interchangeable.