China passport and visa photo requirements
China uses a slim 33×48 mm photo and requires the ears and eyebrows to be visible, which means hair has to be tucked back. Applications are usually made online, so the digital file matters as much as the print.
Crop to this size
Opens the cropper with 33 × 48 mm already selected.
At a glance
| Photo size | 33 × 48 mm |
|---|---|
| Photo size in inches | 1.3 × 1.9 in |
| Pixels at 300 ppi | 390 × 567 px |
| Orientation | Portrait |
| Head height | 28–33 mm tall and 15–22 mm wide, from chin to crown |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, with no shadows behind the head |
The online visa form accepts 354×472 px at 300 dpi, JPEG, roughly 40–120 kB.
What the photo must show
- Photo age. Taken within the last 6 months.
- Framing. Head 28–33 mm tall and 15–22 mm wide, centred, with the top of the head about 3–5 mm below the top edge.
- Expression. Natural, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight at the camera.
- Hair. Both ears and both eyebrows must be visible. Avoid heavy fringes and hair across the face.
- Glasses. Do not wear glasses. Reflections, thick frames and coloured lenses are refused.
- Headwear. Only for religious reasons, and never covering the face from chin to forehead.
- Clothing. Not a uniform. Keep clothing darker than the white background so the shoulders stand out.
Digital photo for online applications
- Format
- JPEG, 24-bit colour
- Dimensions
- 354×472 px at 300 dpi (33×48 mm)
- File size
- Approximately 40 kB to 120 kB — the form states its own limit
- Where it is used
- The COVA online visa application form, where the photo is uploaded before your appointment
Common reasons photos get rejected
- A photo with a coloured or patterned background.
- Ears or eyebrows hidden by hair or a fringe.
- Glasses, including clear-lens frames.
- A smile with visible teeth.
- A file that is too large for the upload form or compressed until it is blocky.
Official sources
- COVA — China Online Visa ApplicationThe official visa form that checks the uploaded photo.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ChinaThe ministry that publishes the visa and passport photo rules.
- National Immigration AdministrationRules for Chinese passports and travel documents.
Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change — always confirm with the official source above before you apply.