HK Hong Kong Octopus 1.5x2 inch Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo size: exactly 5 × 2 inches (35 × 50 mm) with a tolerance of ±1 mm to ensure compliant cropping
• Head dimensions: head height must be between 70 %–80 % of photo height (approx. 4 inches/35 mm) with top-of-head to top-edge margin ~1 inch (3 mm)
• Background: plain, solid white or light-grey background free of shadows, patterns, textures or objects
• Face orientation: full frontal view with head centered, eyes level to camera, no tilt, no shoulder or body angle
• Expression: neutral facial expression or natural smile, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
• Eye line: eyes must be 28 mm–34 mm from the bottom edge of the photo, horizontally aligned and not obscured by hair or accessories
• Lighting: even, diffuse lighting with no harsh shadows across face or background, no red-eye or reflections
• Color and contrast: high-resolution color photo with natural skin tones, clear contrast between subject and background
• Attire and accessories: everyday clothing, no uniforms, no headphones or large jewelry; religious head coverings allowed only if they do not obscure hairline or facial features
• Glasses policy: prescription glasses permitted if lenses are clear and frames do not cover eyes; no tinted lenses or heavy frames, no glare on lenses
• Recentness: must be taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance, no digitally aged or retouched images
• Photo surface: printed on high-quality glossy or semi-matte photo paper, no creases, tears, or ink smudges, with smooth, continuous tones
• Labeling: applicant’s full name and Hong Kong ID/Octopus application reference written in pencil on back, avoiding ink bleed or markings on the image side
• Digital file (if submitting electronically): JPEG format, 300 dpi minimum, file size under 1 MB, no compression artifacts or watermarks

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Confirm Octopus photo specs—printed size 5×2" (38×50 mm), head height 35–40 mm (80–90% of frame), plain white/light-gray background, color, 300 dpi
• Second step: Prepare equipment—use a 12 MP+ camera on tripod, uniform diffused lighting (5500 K) to avoid shadows and ensure natural skin tones
• Third step: Set up environment—place subject ~5 m from a plain white wall, camera at eye level, ensure a neutral expression with both ears visible
• Fourth step: Capture image—frame head-to-shoulders, maintain ~45 cm distance, take multiple shots so you can select the sharpest, best-exposed image
• Fifth step: Crop and resize—open in professional software, set canvas to exactly 38×50 mm, position head centrally at 35–40 mm height, ensure equal margins
• Sixth step: Adjust color and quality—confirm 24-bit color, no red-eye, no heavy retouching, preserve natural skin texture and tones
• Seventh step: Print correctly—use high-quality matte photo paper, borderless 1:1 scaling on a calibrated printer to guarantee true 5×2" output
• Eighth step: Perform quality check—measure print with precision ruler, verify dimensions, head size, background uniformity, reject any with marks or reflections
• Ninth step: Submit photo—attach firmly to application form without obscuring edges, or upload JPG/PNG per online guidelines, and retain backups for your records

Tips and Best Practices

• Background consistency: use a plain light-coloured background with no shadows or patterns – uneven or busy backgrounds can trigger rejection by automated scanners and delay your Octopus card issuance
• Exact sizing: crop your photo to precisely 5×2 inches (38×50 mm) with the head centrally positioned and occupying 70–80% of the frame – mis-sized or poorly centred images risk being stamped invalid
• Neutral expression and gaze: maintain a natural, closed-mouth expression while looking straight at the camera – tilted heads or exaggerated smiles interfere with facial recognition systems and lead to manual review
• Glare-free eyewear: remove tinted glasses and adjust lighting to eliminate reflections on clear lenses – specular highlights can obscure your eyes and cause photo rejection under Octopus quality checks
• High-quality print: use professional-grade photo paper with a glossy or semi-matte finish and ensure no ink streaks or pixelation – low-resolution prints produce blurry cards and may necessitate re-submission

Conclusion

Conclusion: Ensuring your Hong Kong Octopus photo meets the 1.5″×2″ specifications avoids processing delays and rejections.

Key Points:

• Dimensions: 5″×2″ (38×52 mm) printed photo
• Head Size & Position: head height 35–40 mm, centered, eyes 28–32 mm from bottom edge
• Background: plain white or light off-white, free of shadows, patterns, or textures
• Expression & Pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, direct front view
• Clothing & Accessories: no uniforms, no hats or head coverings (unless for bona fide religious reasons), no glasses or tinted lenses
• Photo Quality: high-resolution colour print, sharp focus, true-to-life skin tones, matte or semi-matte finish, no retouching
• Recency & Identification: taken within past 6 months, write your name and ID number lightly on the back
• Compliance: strictly follow each requirement to guarantee acceptance

By adhering to these guidelines, your Octopus card application will proceed smoothly and efficiently.