China Visa Photo Requirements 2026
Complete guide to china visa photo specifications, size, background, and compliance rules. Updated 2026-01-10.
China visa photos must be 33x48mm with a plain white background, a unique size that differs from most international standards. Glasses and head coverings of any kind are strictly prohibited, and both ears must be fully visible with no hair covering the forehead or eyebrows. Digital submissions require 600x873 pixels at 300 DPI in JPEG format, with a tight file size limit of 40 KB to 500 KB. These specifications are set by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and enforced through the China Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC). PassportPic produces photos sized precisely to Chinese visa standards, backed by our 100% acceptance guarantee.
Photo Specifications
| Photo Size | 33mm x 48mm |
| Pixel Dimensions | 600 x 873 pixels |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Background Colour | White |
| Head Size | 60-70% of frame height |
| File Format | JPEG |
| File Size | 40 KB - 500 KB |
| Document Type | Visa |
Photo Requirements
Facial Expression
Neutral expression, no smiling, eyes looking at camera
Glasses
Not allowed
Head Covering
Not allowed
Additional Requirements
- Photo must be taken within the last 6 months
- Both ears must be visible
- Head must be centred and face the camera directly
- No hair covering the forehead or eyebrows
- Background must be plain white with no patterns
- Photo must be clear, sharp, and properly lit
Common Rejection Reasons
Wrong background
The background must be white — plain and uniform, with no patterns, textures, shadows, or other people visible. Stand about half a metre in front of the wall so your body does not cast a shadow onto it.
Head the wrong size or off-centre
Your head must occupy 60-70% of the frame height, centred, facing the camera square-on. Arm's-length selfies usually fail this measurement — have someone take the photo from 1.2–2 metres away, or use a tool that crops to the specification automatically.
Glasses problems
The rule for China Visa photos: not allowed. Glare, tinted lenses, or frames covering the eyes are among the most common causes of rejected photos worldwide.
Wrong expression
Required: neutral expression, no smiling, eyes looking at camera. Smiling with visible teeth, raised eyebrows, or a tilted head can fail automated biometric checks.
Shadows or uneven lighting
Light must fall evenly across your whole face — no shadows on the face or the background, no glare or red-eye from flash. Face a window or place two light sources at 45° either side of your face.
Wrong size or file format
Prints must measure exactly 33mm x 48mm; digital submissions need 600x873 pixels in JPEG format. A photo that looks fine but is sized or compressed wrong is rejected automatically.
For the full list with fixes, read the 12 most common passport photo rejection reasons, or follow our step-by-step at-home photo guide to avoid them from the start.
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Last updated
2026-01-10