Taiwan Passport Photo Size (35×45mm)
A Taiwan passport photo must be 35 mm wide by 45 mm tall with the head 32–36 mm from chin to crown, on a plain white background, taken within the last 6 months.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) issues Taiwanese passports against that standard — known in local photo studios simply as the "two-inch" (兩吋) photo. The narrow head-height window is exactly where most self-taken photos go wrong: a head a few millimetres too large, a background with a shadow along one edge, or a photo that has slipped past the six-month limit. Passport Photo Maker measures your photo against BOCA's published specification, crops it to 35×45 mm, replaces the background with compliant white, and prepares a file ready for either BOCA's online upload system or in-person submission.
Why Upload Here Instead of Editing It Yourself
Cropping a photo to exactly 35×45mm with the head sitting between 32 and 36mm is finicky by hand — most photo editors don't even let you set millimeter dimensions. Here's what the tool handles automatically:
Automatic crop
Resizes precisely to 35×45mm — no manual ruler guesswork.
Biometric framing
Centers your head and keeps it within BOCA's 32–36mm chin-to-crown range.
Correct dimensions
Outputs both print-size and the 413×531px digital format BOCA's upload portal expects.
Correct background
Replaces any background with even, plain white — no shadows or gradients.
Printable photo sheet
Lays out duplicate prints on standard photo paper for studio printing.
No Photoshop required
Everything happens in the browser — no software, no millimeter math.
Taiwan Passport Photo Size (Quick Answer)
The Taiwan passport photo size is 35 mm × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm or 1.38 × 1.77 inches), on a plain white background, with the head 32–36 mm from chin to crown — roughly 70–80% of the frame height. Digital uploads to BOCA must be at least 413 × 531 pixels as a JPG under 5 MB.
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (兩吋 / "two-inch") |
|---|---|
| Pixels @ 300 DPI | 413 × 531 px |
| Digital minimum | 413 × 531 px, JPG, under 5 MB |
| Background | Plain white, even, no shadow |
| Head height | 32 – 36 mm chin to crown |
| Face coverage | 70 – 80% of frame height |
| Aspect ratio | 7 : 9 portrait |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Photo age | Within the last 6 months |
| Printed copies | 2 identical colour photos (paper application) |
| Issuing authority | Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA), MOFA |
Taiwan shares the 35×45 mm format with most of Europe and East Asia — see the 35×45 photo size guide for the full cross-country breakdown, or browse every standard in the requirements by country hub.
Taiwan Passport Photo Visual Reference
Taiwan uses the 35 × 45 mm frame, so the geometry below applies directly to a BOCA submission.
Taiwan Passport Photo Requirements
These specifications come from BOCA's published photo standard for ROC passport applications. Each rule links to the detailed standard in the passport photo rules library.
| Photo Size | 35mm × 45mm (1.38in × 1.77in) |
|---|---|
| Width | 35mm (413 px @ 300 DPI) |
| Height | 45mm (531 px @ 300 DPI) |
| Aspect Ratio | 7 : 9 portrait |
| Background | Plain, light, even — white standard, no shadows or patterns. Background colour rules |
| Lighting | Even and diffuse, no shadow on face or wall. Shadow rules |
| Head Size | 32mm–36mm, chin to crown. Head size rules |
| Face Coverage | 70–80% of frame height. Face size requirements |
| Eyes | Open, level, looking at the camera, clearly visible. Eyes requirements |
| Hair | Must not cover the eyebrows, eyes, or the outline of the face. Hair rules |
| Ears | Face outline must be unobstructed; ears visible where hair allows. Ears visibility rules |
| Resolution (digital) | Minimum 413×531px, 24-bit RGB |
| File Format (digital) | JPG or JPEG, under 5MB |
| Print Resolution | 300 DPI minimum on photo-quality paper |
| Printed Copies | 2 identical colour photos for a paper application |
| Colour | 24-bit colour, natural skin tones, no filters or beautification |
| Glasses Rules | Allowed if eyes are clearly visible; no glare, no tinted lenses, no thick frames covering the eyes. Glasses rules |
| Contact Lenses | Coloured or circle lenses not advised — must match natural eye colour |
| Headwear | Not permitted except for religious reasons with the full face visible. Head covering rules |
| Expression Rules | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, no smiling |
| Photo Age | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Digital Alteration | Not permitted beyond cropping and background correction |
| Digital Submission | Uploaded via BOCA's online passport application and appointment system |
About the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA)
BOCA, under Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is the agency responsible for issuing ROC e-passports and for setting the photo standard every applicant must follow. Because Taiwan's e-passport complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) biometric guidelines, the photo isn't just a formality — it's the image embedded in the passport's chip and matched against your face at border control. BOCA reviews submitted photos directly and will reject anything that falls outside its stated head-size range or shows visible digital alteration, so the margin for error is genuinely small.
Child and Infant Passport Photo Requirements
Children applying for a Taiwan passport follow the same 35×45mm size and 32–36mm head-height standard as adults — BOCA does not publish a relaxed scale for minors. In practice this is the hardest part for parents: infants and toddlers can't be reliably told to hold a neutral expression or look straight at the camera. It often takes several attempts.
Same size, same head height
35 × 45 mm frame with the head 32–36 mm chin to crown. No age exemption applies to dimensions or framing.
Child alone in the frame
No supporting hands, arms, toys, pacifiers or other people may be visible. Seat the child upright and support them from out of frame.
Plain light background
Photograph against a plain light wall, or lay the child on a plain white sheet and shoot from directly above.
No shadow behind the head
Soft, indirect daylight from the side of the room. Overhead light from one angle creates the background shadow that fails the check. See the shadow rules.
Eyes open and level
Both eyes should be open and directed towards the camera wherever achievable. See the eyes requirements.
Shoot wide, crop after
Photograph from a distance and crop down. Cropping tight in-camera on a small face leaves too few pixels once the 7:9 frame is applied.
Positioning, lighting and timing technique for babies and toddlers is covered step by step in the baby passport photo at home guide.
Digital Passport Submission Rules
Applicants using BOCA's online passport application and appointment system, or a travel agency's package filing system, can upload a digital photo instead of bringing a paper print. The digital file must be JPG or JPEG, 24-bit RGB color, no larger than 5MB, and at least 413 pixels wide by 531 pixels tall — and it must not be digitally altered beyond standard cropping and background correction. Domestic applicants who upload digitally are still asked to bring one matching color paper photo, since BOCA's printed application sheet is black and white only.
Two failures account for most rejected uploads. The first is a file below 413 × 531 pixels — and upscaling a smaller image does not fix it, because interpolation adds no real detail and the softness is detected. The second is retouching: portrait blur, skin smoothing and slimming modes on modern phone cameras alter facial geometry and count as digital alteration. Shoot in a plain, unfiltered mode.
If your file is HEIC rather than JPG, convert it first with the HEIC to JPEG guide. To hit an exact pixel target see the resize guide, and to bring an oversized file down use the reduce file size guide. Broader portal rules are covered in the digital passport photo requirements guide.
Printing Your Taiwan Passport Photo
A standard paper application needs two identical colour photos, so printing is part of the specification rather than an afterthought. BOCA is specific about paper: thin or matte inkjet stock is refused outright, and a photo that curls or smudges will be handed back at the counter.
| Print resolution | 300 DPI — export at 413 × 531 px or larger |
|---|---|
| Paper | Genuine photo-quality paper, 200–250 gsm, glossy or semi-gloss |
| Copies per 4 × 6 in sheet | 6 copies of 35 × 45 mm with cutting margins |
| Copies per A4 sheet | Around 20 copies of 35 × 45 mm |
| Cutting | Guillotine or steel rule for square edges — do not cut inside the printed border |
| Colour management | sRGB. Disable printer auto-enhance and colour correction |
| Handling | Let ink dry fully. Do not fold, staple or glue the photo face |
Printer settings, paper choice and cutting technique are covered in the print passport photo at home guide, and multi-copy sheet layout in the print sheet guide.
Can I Take My Taiwan Passport Photo at Home?
Yes, as long as your phone camera and setup can hit BOCA's specification — there's no requirement that the photo come from a professional studio.
- Phone camera: Any modern smartphone camera exceeds BOCA's 3-megapixel minimum; shoot at the highest quality setting available.
- Lighting: Face a window or even, diffused light source so both sides of your face are lit equally with no harsh shadows.
- Background: Stand about a meter from a plain white or light-colored wall — the tool can clean up minor unevenness, but a flat wall gives a better starting point.
- Distance from camera: Have someone else take the photo from roughly 1.2–2 meters away rather than using the front camera at arm's length, which distorts facial proportions.
- Turn off enhancement: Disable portrait mode, background blur and skin smoothing before you shoot — these count as digital alteration.
- Cropping: Shoot a little wide and crop after. The crop guide explains how the 7:9 ratio and head-height band are applied together.
- Printing: If submitting a paper photo, it needs to be printed on genuine photo-quality paper — thin or matte inkjet paper can be rejected outright.
- Common mistakes: Selfies with visible arm or shadow, colored contact lenses, smiling, and photos taken in dim indoor lighting that shifts skin tone.
Taiwan Passport Photo Compared to Other Countries
Taiwan shares the 35×45 mm frame with most of East Asia and Europe, but the head-height band and glasses rule differ. These are the differences that matter if you have used another country's photo tool before.
| Country | Photo Size | Head Height | Background | Glasses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (BOCA) | 35 × 45 mm | 32–36 mm | Plain white | Allowed, no glare |
| Japan | 35 × 45 mm | 32–36 mm | Plain white | Allowed, no glare |
| South Korea | 35 × 45 mm | 32–36 mm | Plain white | Allowed, no glare |
| Singapore | 35 × 45 mm | 25–35 mm | Plain white | Allowed, no glare |
| Hong Kong | 40 × 50 mm | 32–36 mm | Plain white | Allowed, no glare |
| China | 33 × 48 mm | 28–33 mm | Plain white | Discouraged |
| Mongolia | 35 × 45 mm | 32–36 mm | Plain white | Allowed, no glare |
| EU / Schengen | 35 × 45 mm | 32–36 mm | Light grey | Not permitted |
| United Kingdom | 35 × 45 mm | 29–34 mm | White, cream or light grey | Not permitted |
| United States | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 25–35 mm | White or off-white | Not permitted |
The practical takeaway: a photo prepared for Japan, South Korea or Mongolia will usually pass in Taiwan, a European photo will not because the background shade differs, and a US 2 × 2 inch photo is refused outright on dimensions. For every worldwide standard see passport size photo dimensions and passport photo size in pixels. Travellers heading to mainland China from Taiwan should check the separate China visa photo requirements.
How to Create a Taiwan Passport Photo
Upload your photo
Use the widget above to upload a recent, well-lit photo — phone photos work fine.
Automatic crop to 35×45mm
The tool detects your head and crops to BOCA's exact rectangle, holding head height inside 32–36mm.
Background correction
Your background is replaced with even white, removing shadows, clutter, or color casts.
Compliance verification
The result is checked against BOCA's published specification — sizing, head ratio, and background.
Download
Get a print-ready file and the 413×531px digital version for BOCA's online upload system.
Common Reasons Taiwan Passport Photos Get Rejected
Each item links to the detailed rule so you can confirm the exact tolerance before submitting. The full cross-country breakdown is in passport photo rejection reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Size & Copies
What size does a Taiwan passport photo need to be?
35mm wide by 45mm tall, with the head measuring 32–36mm from chin to crown — roughly 70–80% of the frame height. Taiwanese studios call this the two-inch (兩吋) photo. Digital uploads through BOCA's system need to be at least 413×531 pixels.
How many photos do I need for a Taiwan passport application?
A standard paper application requires two identical recent colour photos: one is affixed to the application form and the second is retained by the office. Applicants who upload digitally are still asked to bring one matching colour paper photo, because BOCA's printed application sheet is black and white only. Confirm the count with the office handling your application.
Can I use a US-size passport photo for a Taiwan passport?
No — the US uses a square 2×2 inch (51×51mm) format with a 25–35mm head height. Taiwan requires a 35×45mm rectangle with a tighter 32–36mm head range, so a US-format photo will be rejected by BOCA.
Appearance & Compliance
Do I need a white background for a Taiwan passport photo?
Yes — BOCA requires a plain, even, light background with no shadows, patterns, or texture; white is standard at Taiwanese photo studios. Shadow falling on the wall behind your head is one of the most common causes of refusal.
Can I wear glasses in my Taiwan passport photo?
Yes, provided your eyes are clearly visible with no glare on the lenses, and your frames aren't thick or tinted in a way that obscures your eyes. This is more permissive than the United States, which bans eyeglasses outright.
Can colored contact lenses be used in a Taiwan passport photo?
No — BOCA advises against colored or circle lenses, since the mismatch with your natural eye color can cause issues during immigration checks abroad.
Are head coverings allowed in a Taiwan passport photo?
Hats and decorative headwear are not permitted. A head covering worn for religious reasons may be accepted provided the full face stays visible from the bottom of the chin to the forehead, with the facial outline unobstructed and no shadow across the features.
How old can a Taiwan passport photo be?
It must be taken within the last six months. BOCA staff compare the photo to your appearance at submission, so older photos are a frequent rejection cause. If your appearance has changed significantly, submit a new photo even inside the six-month window.
Children
What are the Taiwan passport photo rules for a baby or child?
The same 35×45mm size and 32–36mm head height apply — BOCA does not publish a relaxed scale for minors. The child must be alone in the frame with no supporting hands, toys, pacifiers or other people visible, seated upright and supported from out of frame against a plain light background. See the child and infant requirements section.
Digital & Printing
What file format does BOCA require for digital uploads?
JPG or JPEG, 24-bit RGB color, under 5MB, and at least 413×531 pixels — submitted through BOCA's online application and appointment system. The file must not be digitally altered beyond cropping and background correction.
How do I print a 35x45 mm Taiwan passport photo?
Print at 300 DPI on genuine photo-quality paper. Thin or matte inkjet paper is refused outright. A standard 4×6 inch sheet holds six 35×45mm copies with cutting margins. Cut with a guillotine for square edges and do not trim inside the printed border. See the print at home guide.
Why was my Taiwan passport photo rejected?
Most often it's incorrect head size, a non-white or shadowed background, glasses glare, a smiling expression, colored contact lenses, a photo older than six months, or a digital file below 413×531px.
Sources & References
- Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs — passport photo standard: boca.gov.tw
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan): mofa.gov.tw
- ICAO Doc 9303 — Machine Readable Travel Documents biometric photograph standard: icao.int