Abstract Based on the non-relativistic quantum chromodynamics factorization framework, we study the inclusive J/ψ photoproduction at the future high energy e+e− collider, International Linear Collider(ILC), where the initial photons come from the back-scattering of laser and electron (positron). The intermediate states, $$ c\overline{c} $$ c c ¯ (3$$ {S}_1^{\left[\mathbf{1}\right]} $$ S 1 1 ,1$$ {S}_0^{\left[\mathbf{8}\right]} $$ S 0 8 ,3$$ {S}_1^{\left[\mathbf{8}\right]} $$ S 1 8 , 3$$ {P}_{0,1,2}^{\left[\mathbf{8}\right]} $$ P 0 , 1 , 2 8 ), and resolved photoproduction processes are considered. Numerical results show that the cross section of J/ψ photoproduction at the ILC could be very large, and the single resolved pro- cess via $$ c\overline{c} $$ c c ¯ (3$$ {S}_0^{\left[\mathbf{8}\right]} $$ S 0 8 ) intermediate state dominates primarily the production. We also present various kinematic distributions for J/ψ photoproduction. Combining the high luminosity of the collision, J/ψ photoproduction at the ILC shall provide a good platform to test the NRQCD factorization.