Home › Visa Photo Size › China

China Visa Photo Size & Requirements

China visa photo requirements follow ICAO biometric standards but are enforced by National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China (国家移民管理局, NIA), with day-to-day issuance handled by the Exit-Entry Administration of the local Public Security Bureau (公安局出入境管理局, PSB). In this guide, you can confirm the exact 33×48 mm size, 390×567 pixel output at 300 DPI, the required white background, and the fastest way to prepare a compliant image before submitting your China visa application. A key local rule to remember is: The required print size is 33 mm wide × 48 mm tall — an unusual format that most international photo booths and templates cannot produce without manual resizing.

Use ImageGates to resize your image to exactly 33×48 mm (390×567 px) with a white background. This guide also covers where applicants usually submit their documents, which local rules cause the most rejections, and which related country pages to compare before you apply.

Official China visa photo rules

The required print size is 33 mm wide × 48 mm tall — an unusual format that most international photo booths and templates cannot produce without manual resizing.
Digital uploads to the CVASC and 12333 portals must be 354–420 pixels wide by 472–560 pixels tall (roughly 33×48 mm at 300 DPI), saved as JPEG between 40 KB and 120 KB.
Background must be pure white (RGB 255/255/255). Light grey — which Schengen and several Asian countries accept — is rejected by Chinese PSB and CVASC reviewers.
Both ears must be fully visible. Hair tucked behind the ears is recommended; long hair falling forward over the ears is a common rejection cause.
Head must be uncovered. Religious head coverings are not accepted for Chinese passport photos, even with a written request — this is one of the strictest hijab/turban policies in the world.
Expression must be fully neutral with the mouth closed. No smiling, no visible teeth, and no raised eyebrows. Reviewers compare against the biometric face-recognition template used at e-gates.
The photo must be in colour, taken within the last 6 months, and printed on glossy photo paper. Matte prints and home-inkjet output are routinely refused at the PSB counter.
Glasses are technically allowed but must have clear, non-reflective lenses and thin frames that do not cover any part of the eye. The PSB reviewer makes the final call, and most studios in China recommend removing glasses to avoid delays.

Common mistakes in China visa photos

Submitting a 35×45 mm European-style photo — the 2 mm width and 3 mm height difference is enough to trigger automatic rejection at the PSB and CVASC.
Using a light-grey or off-white background. Chinese reviewers compare the background to pure RGB white and will return photos that are even slightly cream or grey.
Smiling or showing teeth. A 'natural' smile that would pass in Japan or the U.S. is rejected for Chinese passport and visa photos.
Hair covering one or both ears. The face-recognition template needs the full ear outline visible.
Wearing white or very light clothing that blends into the background, which makes face/background segmentation fail.
Uploading a JPEG larger than 120 KB or smaller than 40 KB to the CVASC portal — both extremes are rejected by the file-size validator.
Submitting a digital photo for a Chinese visa without also printing a hard copy to bring to the biometrics appointment.
Printing on matte or standard inkjet paper instead of glossy photo paper at the PSB counter.

Visa vs passport photo differences in China

The visa photo in China is 33×48 mm, while the passport photo is 33×48 mm. The size is the same for both documents, but you should still verify the specific submission rules for the passport application. You can also compare the alternate document on the dedicated China passport photo page.

Popular countries

United States Canada United Kingdom India Schengen Zone

Related countries

Japan (45×45 mm)South Korea (35×45 mm)India (51×51 mm)

Frequently asked questions

What is the exact Chinese passport photo size in mm and pixels?
Chinese passport and visa photos are 33 mm wide × 48 mm tall when printed, and 354–420 pixels wide by 472–560 pixels tall when uploaded digitally. The most widely accepted digital target is 390×567 pixels at 300 DPI, saved as a JPEG between 40 KB and 120 KB. This is one of the few countries that uses 33×48 mm rather than the 35×45 mm international standard.

Where can I get the unusual 33×48 mm Chinese passport photo size if I'm outside China?
Most international photo booths and even most professional studios outside China default to 35×45 mm and cannot print 33×48 mm without manual adjustment. The reliable path is to take a properly framed photo at home or in any studio, then digitally resize it to exactly 33×48 mm using a tool like the ImageGates resizer, and print it on glossy photo paper at a local print shop. Bring the printed copy plus the JPEG file on a USB stick to the Chinese consulate or CVASC appointment.

What is the official visa photo size for China?
The official China visa photo size is 33×48 mm, which equals 390×567 pixels at 300 DPI.

What background is required for a China visa photo?
China visa photos require a white background with even lighting, no patterns, and no visible shadows.