Taiwan Passport Photo Guide for Foreigners (2026)
If you're used to US passport photos, Taiwan's specs are different in almost every way. The size is 35×45mm (taller and narrower than the American 2×2 inch square), glasses are allowed (with strict conditions), and printing is cheap — NT$6 at any convenience store. Here's everything you need to know.
Taiwan Passport Photo Specs
| Size | 35 × 45mm (≈ 1.4 × 1.8 inches) |
| Head height | 70–80% of frame (32–36mm) |
| Background | White (plain, no shadows) |
| Glasses | Allowed (no glare, no tinted lenses) |
| Digital specs | 413 × 531px minimum, JPEG, under 5MB |
| Validity | Must be taken within 6 months |
What’s Different from US/UK Photos
If you’ve only ever taken passport photos in the US, UK, or Australia, Taiwan’s requirements will trip you up. Here are the key differences:
Size: Taiwan uses 35×45mm — the international ICAO standard used by most of Europe and Asia. The US uses 2×2 inches (51×51mm), which is a square format. Taiwan’s is rectangular: taller and narrower.
Glasses: The US banned glasses in passport photos in 2016. Taiwan still allows glasses, but with conditions — no glare, no tinted lenses, eyes fully visible. This catches many foreigners off guard because they assume glasses are banned everywhere.
Head size: Taiwan requires your head (top of hair to chin) to fill 70–80% of the frame height. That’s a tighter range than many countries, and getting it right without a tool is difficult.
Background: White only. Not “off-white,” not light gray, not light blue. Pure white.
| Photo size | 35 × 45mm (width × height) |
| In inches | ≈ 1.4 × 1.8 inches |
| Head height ratio | 70–80% of frame (32–36mm) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Digital resolution | 413 × 531px minimum |
| File format | JPEG, under 5MB |
| Glasses | Allowed (no glare, eyes visible) |
| Validity | Taken within last 6 months |
What’s Allowed and What’s Not
Not Allowed
- ✕ Tinted or reflective glasses
- ✕ Colored/circle contact lenses
- ✕ Beauty filters or photo editing
- ✕ Smiling with teeth showing
- ✕ Hats or head accessories
- ✕ White clothing (blends with background)
- ✕ Photos older than 6 months
Allowed
- ✓ Prescription glasses (no glare)
- ✓ Clear contact lenses
- ✓ Light, natural makeup
- ✓ Religious head covering (face visible)
- ✓ Earrings and small jewelry
- ✓ Dark-colored clothing
Where to Print in Taiwan
Taiwan has one of the most convenient photo printing systems in the world. Every major convenience store has a self-service printing kiosk, and they’re on practically every street corner.
FamilyMart (全家) — Look for the 立可得 (Likoda) kiosk near the entrance. You can send your photo file via the LINE app (add the 立可得 official account), or upload directly using a USB drive. A 4×6 inch print is NT$6 (about $0.20 USD). The interface is primarily in Chinese, but the process is straightforward: select “photo print,” choose 4×6 size, insert payment.
7-11 — Use the ibon kiosk. You can email your file to ibon@ibon.com.tw and use the QR code you receive, or upload via the ibon app. Same price: NT$6 for a 4×6 print. The ibon interface has slightly more English support than FamilyMart.
Hi-Life (萊爾富) — Also has printing kiosks, though they’re less common than FamilyMart and 7-11. Similar pricing.
Our tool generates a 4×6 inch print sheet with 6 passport photos arranged on it. Print one sheet for NT$6, cut them apart, and you have 6 photos. Total cost: NT$36 (≈$1.10 USD) for the tool plus printing.
| Method | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Our tool + convenience store | NT$36 (≈$1.10) | 3 min + print |
| Photo booth (快拍機) | NT$150–300 | 5–10 min |
| Photo studio (照相館) | NT$300–500 | 30+ min |
Useful Vocabulary
You’ll encounter these terms at photo studios, convenience stores, and government offices. Knowing them will save you a lot of pointing and gesturing.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 護照 | hù zhào | Passport |
| 證件照 | zhèng jiàn zhào | ID/document photo |
| 兩吋照片 | liǎng cùn zhào piàn | 2-inch photo (common name for passport photos) |
| 全家 | quán jiā | FamilyMart (convenience store) |
| 立可得 | lì kě dé | Likoda (FamilyMart’s printing kiosk brand) |
| 沖印 | chōng yìn | Photo printing |
| 快拍機 | kuài pāi jī | Photo booth |
| 照相館 | zhào xiàng guǎn | Photo studio |
| 白色背景 | bái sè bèi jǐng | White background |
| 外交部 | wài jiāo bù | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
Tip: Ask for '兩吋照片'
In Taiwan, passport photos are colloquially called 兩吋照片 (liǎng cùn zhào piàn), meaning “2-inch photos.” This is slightly misleading since the actual size is 35×45mm (not exactly 2 inches), but it’s the term everyone uses. If you walk into a photo studio and say “兩吋照片,” they’ll know exactly what you need.
What If You Need a Photo for Your Home Country?
This guide covers Taiwanese document photo specs. If you’re a foreigner living in Taiwan and need a photo for your home country’s passport or a third-country visa, the specs are probably different. A US passport photo is 2×2 inches, a UK passport photo is 35×45mm but with different head ratios, and Japanese passport photos have their own requirements.
Check our country-specific guides to find the exact specs for your document. Our tool supports multiple document types and countries — just select the right one when you upload.
Government source
Official Taiwan passport photo specifications: Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA)
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Taiwan passport photo?
35×45mm (width × height), which is approximately 1.4 × 1.8 inches. This is NOT the same as a US passport photo (2×2 inches / 51×51mm). The Taiwanese format is taller and narrower.
Can I wear glasses in a Taiwan passport photo?
Yes, but with strict conditions: no glare or reflection on the lenses, eyes must be fully visible, no tinted lenses, and frames cannot be so thick they obscure your eyebrows or eyes. If in doubt, take them off — it's safer.
Where can I print passport photos in Taiwan?
At any FamilyMart (全家) using their 立可得 (Likoda) kiosk, or at 7-11 using their ibon kiosk. A 4×6 inch print costs NT$6 (about $0.20 USD). You can send the file via the LINE app or email.
Can I use a US passport photo for a Taiwan passport?
No. US passport photos are 2×2 inches (51×51mm), while Taiwan requires 35×45mm. The head size ratio is also different. You need a photo made specifically for Taiwan's specs.
Is a blue background accepted for Taiwan passport photos?
No. Taiwan requires a plain white background. Some other Asian countries (like Thailand) accept light blue, but Taiwan does not. White only.
Do I need a physical photo or a digital file?
It depends on how you apply. In-person applications need 2 physical prints (35×45mm). Online applications through the ePassport system need a digital file (413×531px minimum, JPEG, under 5MB). Our tool provides both formats.
How much does a passport photo cost in Taiwan?
Photo booths cost NT$150–300. Studios cost NT$300–500. The cheapest option is our online tool (NT$30 / ≈$1 USD) plus a convenience store print (NT$6), totaling NT$36 (≈$1.10 USD).
Skip the photo studio — works in English
Upload your photo, and we handle the Taiwan specs automatically: 35×45mm crop, white background, correct head ratio. No Chinese required. Print at any FamilyMart or 7-11 for NT$6.
Create Taiwan passport photoNT$30 (≈$1 USD) + NT$6 convenience store print • Photos never leave your device