Taiwan passport photo rules from the Bureau of Consular Affairs
Taiwan’s passport photo standard is set and enforced by the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China. The specification governs the 35×45 mm color photograph submitted with every ROC passport application, and the same geometry is used for the National ID card issued by the Ministry of the Interior and for ROC resident and visitor visas. BOCA publishes the rules on its official portal and updated the current guidance in June 2025.
The standard covers head size, pose, expression, background, and the subject’s appearance in detail. Photographs must have been taken within the last six months and must show the applicant as they normally look. BOCA runs a pre-submission verification tool that uses the same facial recognition algorithms deployed at Taiwan’s e-gates, so a photo that passes upload review is the photo that will clear automated border control later.
Enforcement is strict. Submissions that miss the head-height window, show a non-neutral expression, or obscure required facial features are rejected, which delays the application and forces a retake. Perfect Passport sizes the image to 35×45 mm, sets the white background, and runs the BOCA rule checks before you order, so the file you submit matches what the Bureau expects.
Taiwan passport photo rules enforced by BOCA
The Bureau of Consular Affairs evaluates every submission against a strict set of subject rules. Match each one below and your photo will clear review.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionHold a neutral expression with the mouth firmly closed. Teeth must not be visible. Applicants who are physically unable to close the mouth are exempt from this rule.
- Eyes open and forwardBoth eyes must be fully open and looking directly at the lens. Red-eye is not accepted.
- Face the cameraFace the camera straight on with no rotation, tilt, or over-the-shoulder posing. BOCA publishes a zero-degree tolerance for yaw, pitch, and roll.
- Shoulders squaredSquare the shoulders to the camera. The top of the shoulders should be visible in the frame.
Eyewear & lenses
- Prescription glassesClear prescription glasses are permitted only if the eyes are fully visible, the lenses show no glare or reflection, and the frames do not cover any part of the eyes or eyebrows. Thick or heavy frames are not accepted.
- Tinted lenses and sunglassesTinted lenses and sunglasses are prohibited. The only exception is for the legally visually impaired with supporting documentation.
- Cosmetic contact lensesColored, circle, iris-enlarging, and other cosmetic contact lenses are strictly prohibited. BOCA warns that wearing them can cause mismatches at e-gate iris recognition and lead to border delays. Clear prescription contacts are acceptable.
Hair
- Eyebrows and eyes clearHair must not cover the eyebrows, eyes, or the edges of the face. Eyebrow-covering bangs are the leading rejection cause for young applicants in Taiwan.
- BangsBangs are permitted only if they sit above the eyebrows and do not touch the eyes. Pure forehead coverage on its own is acceptable.
- Wigs and hairpiecesWigs are accepted when worn daily for cosmetic or medical reasons and when they do not disguise the applicant’s appearance.
- Hair accessoriesConspicuous hairbands, clips, and decorative hair accessories are not accepted.
Ears
- Both ears visibleBoth ears must be clearly visible in the photo. Long hair should be tucked back so the ears are not obscured.
- Microtia exceptionApplicants with microtia may conceal the affected ear with hair provided the jawline and cheeks on both sides of the face remain clearly visible. This exception is codified by BOCA.
Headwear
- Bare head requiredHats, caps, and other head coverings are not accepted. The head must be uncovered for the photo.
- Religious or medical exceptionHead coverings worn for religious or medical reasons are permitted. The full face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, and both edges of the face, must remain uncovered, and the covering must not cast shadows on the face.
Jewelry & accessories
- Subtle jewelry onlySmall, non-reflective stud earrings are acceptable. Large, reflective, or dangling jewelry that distracts from the face or causes glare is not accepted.
- Headphones and earbudsHeadphones, earbuds, and similar wearables must be removed before the photo is taken.
Cosmetics
- Natural makeupLight, natural makeup is acceptable. Heavy makeup that alters facial structure through contouring is not accepted.
- False eyelashesHeavily exaggerated false eyelashes are not accepted.
- Identifying marksMoles, birthmarks, and scars must remain visible. Do not conceal identifying marks with makeup.
Clothing
- Uniforms prohibitedMilitary uniforms, police uniforms, and camouflage clothing are not accepted. Everyday wear is required, and student uniforms qualify as everyday wear.
- CoverageAvoid bare-shoulder tops and deep V-necks. The tight crop can make the applicant appear unclothed.
- Contrast with backgroundClothing should contrast with the white background. White and very pale garments are discouraged because they blend into the background.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 33 mm and 36 mm (roughly 73–81% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 21 mm and 25 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- Top margin (from the top of the head to the top edge): 1–13 mm.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame, with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Shoulders must be square to the camera and both visible. No three-quarter angles or rotated torso.
- The full face, from chin to crown, must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
Taiwan (Republic of China) accepts more than one size — we generate them all.
Taiwan (Republic of China) publishes more than one acceptable format depending on where you submit your application — domestic passport offices, the official online portal, and regional consulates abroad can each call for a different print or pixel size. We render every variant below from the same source photo, so the head sits at the same physical position across files, and each one arrives in your order email with a clear filename indicating which submission channel it's for.
Taiwan Passport 35×45 mm
Primary · Print + DigitalTaiwan's official format — the same file works for both printed in-person submissions and the online portal upload.
Taiwan Passport 2×2 in — from US consulate
Print + DigitalPrint size accepted by US-based consular missions for applicants in the United States.
How recent the photo must be.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Photos for infants and young children.
BOCA does not relax the adult rules for children or infants. The same expression, gaze, and pose requirements apply at every age.
All ages (including infants)
Infants and young children must meet the same compliance bar as adults. There is no behavioral leniency for sleep, gaze, or expression.
- Eyes open and on cameraThe child’s eyes must be open and looking directly at the lens. Sleeping-infant photos are rejected.
- Mouth closedThe mouth must be closed, or as close to closed as the child can manage.
- Alone in frameNo other people, hands, arms, toys, pacifiers, or props may appear in the photo.
- Hidden head supportA parent may support the child’s head from behind only if the parent’s hands and arms remain completely out of frame.
- Frontal poseThe same straight-to-camera, level-head pose required of adults applies to infants and children.
Country-specific details to know.
A few details set Taiwan’s spec apart from neighboring jurisdictions.
E-gate iris matching
Taiwan’s automated border gates compare the traveler’s iris and face against the passport photo. Cosmetic contact lenses that pass casual inspection can still trigger an e-gate mismatch and cause secondary inspection on arrival.
Microtia accommodation
BOCA codifies a specific exception for applicants with microtia, allowing the affected ear to be covered by hair. This medical accommodation is unusual among national passport authorities.
Pre-submission verification
BOCA offers an online photo verification portal that runs the same facial recognition algorithms used at the e-gates, allowing applicants to confirm compliance before formal submission.
Appearance change rule
A new photo is required whenever the applicant’s appearance has changed materially since the last photo was taken, including after major facial surgery, extreme weight change, or gender transition, regardless of the six-month recency window.
As easy as snap, upload, done.
You take a quick picture. We do the spec work and tell you immediately if anything needs a retake.
Free to check. You only pay when you keep it.
Print & paper standards.
If you submit a printed photo with a paper application, the print itself has to meet acceptance-facility standards in addition to the rules above.
- Photographic paper with a glossy finish.
- Inkjet printing is not accepted. Use a professional photo lab.
- No visible pixels, banding, dithering, or printer artifacts.
- The print must be undamaged: no creases, holes, smudges, staples, or pinholes.
- Do not write on the back of the photo.
- 2 identical prints are required.