Chinese Visa Photo Requirements 2026: Size, Digital Upload & Rules
Official Chinese visa photo requirements for 2026: 33×48 mm prints, 354×472 digital uploads, background, glasses, file size and rejection fixes.
Chinese visa photos use a 33 mm × 48 mm printed format and a portrait-oriented JPEG for online applications. The photo must be recent, front-facing, clear and in colour, with a white or close-to-white background. The safest digital file for systems based on the COVA photo tool is 354 × 472 pixels, JPEG, usually 40–120 KB.
Chinese visa photo requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Official specification |
|---|---|
| Printed photo | 33 mm wide × 48 mm high |
| Digital dimensions | Official general range: 354–420 px wide × 472–560 px high |
| Safest upload target | 354 × 472 px, because some current centre instructions are stricter |
| File format | JPEG |
| File size | Generally 40–120 KB |
| Colour | 24-bit RGB colour |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Background | White or close to white, plain, without border or shadows |
| Head width on print | 15–22 mm |
| Head height on print | 28–33 mm, chin to crown |
| Top margin | 3–5 mm on the printed image |
| Chin to bottom edge | At least 7 mm |
| Expression | Neutral, eyes open, mouth closed |
These are the shared technical requirements. Your local Chinese embassy, consulate or Chinese Visa Application Service Center may specify how many printed photos to bring and whether a digital upload, paper photo or both are required.
Digital photo versus printed photo
The paper and digital versions show the same portrait, but they are measured differently.
Printed photo: 33 mm wide × 48 mm high. The head should be 15–22 mm wide and 28–33 mm high from chin to crown. Leave 3–5 mm between the crown and the top edge and at least 7 mm below the chin.
Digital photo: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs specification illustrates a range from 354–420 pixels wide and 472–560 pixels high. However, some VisaForChina upload instructions currently tell applicants to use or crop to 354 × 472 pixels. For maximum compatibility, a 354 × 472 JPEG within 40–120 KB is the most conservative target unless your local application portal gives different instructions.
Do not assume that a 35×45 mm European photo or a 2×2 inch US passport photo is interchangeable. The aspect ratio and head placement differ.
Face, pose and expression
Your photo should show:
- a straight-on view of the full head and face
- the head centred in the frame
- both eyes open and clearly visible
- the mouth closed and a natural, neutral expression
- both ears visible where possible
- natural skin tone and even exposure
- no red eye, blur, damage, stains or visible shadows
- no other person, hand, toy or object in the image
The official specification permits only limited head rotation or tilt. The practical rule is simpler: keep your face square to the camera and your head upright.
Background, clothing and head coverings
The official wording is white or close to white, without a border. The background should be plain and evenly lit, with no texture, gradient, furniture or shadow.
Wear clothing that contrasts with the background. A white shirt against a white wall can make the shoulders disappear. Avoid uniforms, large accessories and clothing that covers the jawline.
Hats and fashion headwear are not recommended. Religious head coverings may be worn when necessary, provided the full facial features remain visible.
Can you wear glasses or jewelry?
China's general photo specification does not impose an absolute ban on every pair of glasses. It says that thick-rimmed or tinted glasses are not acceptable and that frames, glare or shadows must not obscure the eyes. Removing glasses is therefore the safest option, but the older version of this article was incorrect to say that all clear prescription glasses were automatically prohibited.
Some current local guidance also asks applicants not to wear earrings, necklaces or other jewelry. Because implementation varies, remove non-essential jewelry when taking the photo and follow your local centre's checklist.
How to upload a Chinese visa photo online
- Open the official application link provided by the embassy, consulate or VisaForChina centre serving your location.
- Select the correct applicant and application form.
- Upload a recent JPEG with sufficient resolution. A 354 × 472 image in the 40–120 KB range is the safest target for current COVA-style tools.
- Use the official crop frame to centre the face and size the head between the guide ovals.
- Preview the cropped image carefully before saving and uploading.
- Confirm that the uploaded photograph is of the same person named in the application.
The official COVA photo tool says the source image must be large enough to crop a 354 × 472 pixel area. Do not upload a screenshot, a photo of a printed picture or a compressed image downloaded from social media.
What if the photo will not upload?
Check these issues in order:
- The file must be JPEG, not HEIC, PNG or PDF.
- Make sure the image can fill a 354 × 472 crop area.
- Keep the final file within the size shown by your local portal; many current instructions use 40–120 KB.
- Remove unusual filename characters and try a short filename such as china-visa-photo.jpg.
- Use the latest Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge.
- Re-crop from the original image instead of repeatedly compressing an already small file.
Some current VisaForChina centres state that after repeated failed uploads, applicants may be instructed to bring a compliant printed photo so the centre can upload it. This is location-specific; follow the message shown by your own centre rather than assuming the same fallback is available everywhere.
How many Chinese visa photos do you need?
There is no reliable universal answer for every location and application route. Current official centre pages variously request one paper photo, two paper photos or an electronic photo plus a paper photo. Requirements may also change when a centre introduces a new online application workflow.
Check the document list for the exact visa centre handling your application. If the instructions are unclear, bring at least one recent 33×48 mm print in addition to the accepted digital file, but do not treat this article as a substitute for the local checklist.
Common rejection or upload-failure causes
- Uploading the wrong applicant's photo
- Using a 2×2 inch or 35×45 mm crop instead of the Chinese format
- File type or file size outside the portal's range
- Face too large, too small or off-centre
- Head tilted or turned
- Eyes closed, mouth open or exaggerated expression
- Hair, heavy frames, glare or accessories covering facial features
- Background shadows, texture or poor contrast
- Overexposure, underexposure, blur, red eye or unnatural skin tone
- An old photo that no longer represents the applicant
Can you use a US passport photo for a Chinese visa?
Not without creating a separate crop. A US passport photo is square and normally 2×2 inches; a Chinese visa print is 33×48 mm. Even if the source portrait is recent and otherwise compliant, submit a correctly formatted China-specific output rather than the US square file.
Can PhotoOmni help?
PhotoOmni can prepare supported document-photo dimensions and help check common composition issues. The issuing embassy, consulate or visa centre remains the final authority. Always compare the output with the local official checklist, especially where digital modification or a specific paper finish is restricted.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Chinese visa photo?
The printed photo is 33 mm wide × 48 mm high. The safest standard digital upload is 354 × 472 pixels unless the local portal specifies another accepted size.
Does the background have to be pure white?
The official general specification says white or close to white. It must be plain, evenly lit and free of shadows or borders.
Can I smile?
Use a natural neutral expression with your mouth closed. Do not show teeth.
Can I take the Chinese visa photo myself?
Generally, the rules focus on the finished image rather than requiring a particular photographer. Have another person take it from the correct distance rather than using a close-up selfie, and check whether your local centre has additional rules.
Are Chinese visa and Chinese passport photos the same?
Do not assume they are interchangeable. This guide covers a visa for a foreign national travelling to China. A Chinese passport is a different document with its own application process.
Do tourist, business, student and work visas use different photo sizes?
The shared photo specification is generally the same; supporting documents and application procedures differ by visa category.
Official sources
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center photo specification
- Official COVA photo crop and upload tool
- VisaForChina upload FAQ
Last reviewed: September 19, 2026. Use the instructions of the embassy, consulate or visa centre responsible for your application if they differ from this general guide.
About the Author
Emma Richardson
Senior ICAO Photo Compliance Expert, PhotoOmni
Emma Richardson has over 12 years of experience reviewing passport, visa and identity-photo requirements across more than 100 countries and territories.