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Chinese Visa Photo Online

China's embassies and the COVA online visa portal enforce some of the strictest photo rules in the world. Our tool generates the exact 33 x 48 mm size and 354 x 472 pixel digital file the system requires — both ready in one click.

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Chinese visa photo example

Photo specifications

Print size
33 x 48 mm
Digital size
354 x 472 pixels
File size
40–120 KB JPEG
Background
Pure white
Head height
28–33 mm
Head width
15–22 mm

Chinese visa photo guide

Your Guide to Chinese Visa Photos

Chinese visa photos have strict print and digital requirements, including a 33 x 48 mm print size and a 354 x 472 px COVA upload file. PhotoOmni prepares both outputs from one phone photo.

Contents
  1. 1. Chinese visa photo requirements
  2. 2. How PhotoOmni works
  3. 3. How to take a Chinese visa photo at home
  4. 4. Why Chinese visa photos get rejected
  5. 5. PhotoOmni vs. online tools vs. photo studios

Chinese visa photo requirements

China visa centers and the online COVA portal are strict about dimensions, ears, expression, glasses, and file size.

Print size
33 x 48 mm
Digital size
354 x 472 pixels
File size
40-120 KB JPEG
Background
Pure white, no shadows
Head height
28-33 mm
Head width
15-22 mm

How PhotoOmni works

Upload a photo, complete an AI and expert compliance review, then download your files.

Step 1

Photo Upload

Upload one selfie or take a new photo with your phone.

Step 2

AI + expert compliance review

AI pre-checks size, framing, lighting, background, and image quality; an expert reviews the result before delivery.

Step 3

Get your digital photo file

Download the 354 × 472 px COVA digital file and 33 × 48 mm print-ready sheet.

How to take a Chinese visa photo at home

Chinese visa photos are less forgiving than many passport photos, so small details matter.

  • Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression and closed mouth.
  • Tuck hair behind both ears so the ears are visible.
  • Avoid thick-rimmed, tinted, or reflective glasses; removing glasses is safest.
  • Use even light on a clean white background.
  • Avoid filters, heavy makeup effects, and any face-smoothing edits.

Common reasons Chinese visa photos are rejected

Rejected COVA uploads often come from the wrong pixel size, file size, expression, or visibility rules.

Accepted and rejected Chinese visa photo examples, showing common COVA issues with framing, expression, accessories, and background.
  • The digital file is not exactly 354 x 472 px or is outside the accepted file-size range.
  • The applicant is smiling, turning, tilting, or not facing the camera directly.
  • Ears are covered by hair or accessories.
  • Problematic glasses, earrings, headbands, shadows, or a non-white background are visible.

PhotoOmni vs. online tools vs. photo studios

PhotoOmni prepares both Chinese visa output formats and reviews details that generic passport photo tools often miss.

  • Convenience

    PhotoOmni
    Upload from home in minutes
    Other online tools
    Usually online
    Traditional photo studios
    Requires a store visit

  • Peace of mind

    PhotoOmni
    AI pre-check plus expert approval
    Other online tools
    May lack expert review or charge extra for it
    Traditional photo studios
    Depends on local staff

  • Expert adjustments

    PhotoOmni
    Included when needed
    Other online tools
    Varies by service
    Traditional photo studios
    Usually retake-based

  • Ready-to-use files

    PhotoOmni
    Digital photo plus print-ready sheet
    Other online tools
    May be limited or extra
    Traditional photo studios
    Digital copy may not be included

  • Rejection protection

    PhotoOmni
    100% refund for photo-caused rejection
    Other online tools
    Policy varies
    Traditional photo studios
    Policy varies by shop

Official requirements

  • Face the camera directly — no tilting or turning
  • Neutral expression with mouth closed; no smile
  • Both ears must be visible; hair pulled back if needed
  • Eyeglasses are allowed only if they are not thick-rimmed, tinted, or reflective
  • No earrings, headbands or visible piercings
  • Plain pure-white background with no shadows

Frequently asked questions

Are smiles allowed?
No. The Chinese visa center requires a neutral expression with the mouth closed.
Why must my ears be visible?
Biometric matching software needs the ears for facial-geometry verification. Tuck long hair behind your ears.
Can I wear glasses?
Official guidance allows ordinary eyeglasses, but rejects thick-rimmed, tinted, or glare-producing glasses. Removing glasses is still the safest choice.
What is the COVA digital photo size?
Exactly 354 x 472 pixels in JPEG format, between 40 KB and 120 KB. Our generator outputs this automatically.
How recent does a Chinese passport photo need to be?
Use a photo taken within the past six months. China's official passport guidance also requires a recent, front-facing, bareheaded colour photo with a white background. Check theofficial Chinese passport photo requirements before submitting.
Does a China visa photo use the same dimensions as a passport photo?
Both commonly use a 33 × 48 mm print size, but they are not automatically interchangeable: a COVA visa upload also requires a 354 × 472 px JPEG and its own validation rules. For a passport application, follow the official passport photo guidance.
How many 33 × 48 mm photos are required for a Chinese passport application?
The National Immigration Administration's rules list one recent bareheaded photo for a standard passport application. Your application channel may request additional copies, so confirm the requirements with the National Immigration Administration's passport regulations.
What is the best way to check that a Chinese passport photo is compliant?
Start with the official Chinese passport photo rules for recency, pose, ears, background and dimensions. PhotoOmni can then pre-check your image and have an expert review the framing, lighting and image quality before delivery.

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