China Visa Photo Requirements (33 x 48 mm, White Background)
A China visa photo must be 33 mm wide by 48 mm high on a plain white background, with the head 28–33 mm from chin to crown and 15–22 mm wide, taken within the last 6 months.
Travellers applying for a Chinese visa — through a Chinese embassy, a CVASC (China Visa Application Service Center), or the online COVA portal — need a photo in this exact format. The Chinese consular system runs one of the more rigorous biometric checks in use: photos with off-white backgrounds, shadows, smiles, or glare on eyewear are commonly refused at the counter or by the automated COVA quality checker. This guide covers the printed specification, the separate digital pixel range used for online upload, child rules, printing, CVASC submission, and the reasons photos are rejected.
China Visa Photo Requirements (Quick Answer)
A China visa photo is 33 mm × 48 mm (3.3 × 4.8 cm), on a plain white background, with the head measuring 28–33 mm chin to crown and 15–22 mm across, taken within the last 6 months with a neutral expression.
Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China (Visa Photo Requirements)
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Photo size (printed) | 33 × 48 mm — written 48 × 33 mm on consular notices |
| Pixels for printing @ 300 DPI | 390 × 567 px |
| Pixels for COVA upload | 354 × 472 px to 420 × 560 px |
| Background | Plain white |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 28 – 33 mm |
| Head width (across face) | 15 – 22 mm |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Age of photo | Within last 6 months |
| Typical submission | 1 printed photo on the form + 1 digital JPEG for COVA |
| Aspect ratio | 11 : 16 |
CVASC appointment soon? Generate a 33x48 mm China-ready photo in 60 seconds.
Create China Visa Photo →China Visa Photo Visual Reference
Portrait orientation, 11:16 ratio
The China visa photo uses an unusual 11:16 aspect ratio — taller and narrower than the 35x45 mm format used by most other countries. The head occupies 70–80% of the vertical frame against a plain white background, measuring 28–33 mm tall and 15–22 mm wide, with the face centred and both ears visible where hair allows.
Head Height and Head Width: Two Separate Checks
Chinese consular notices publish two facial measurements, not one, and both are checked. Most guides mention only head height, which is why a photo that looks correctly framed is still refused. The same 33 x 48 mm specification appears under several names — Chinese visa photo, China visa picture, China visa photograph, Chinese embassy visa photo, or simply the COVA photo — and all refer to this identical biometric format.
| Measurement | Required range | What it means in the 48 mm frame |
|---|---|---|
| Head height (chin to crown) | 28 – 33 mm | Roughly 70–80% of the frame height |
| Head width (across the face) | 15 – 22 mm | Roughly 45–67% of the 33 mm frame width |
| Eye position | Around two-thirds up | Eyes level, open, looking at the lens |
Full China Visa Photo Requirements
This table consolidates the photo rules used by the Chinese embassy, the CVASC application centres, and the COVA online visa system. Submission centres apply them strictly — a non-compliant photo must normally be replaced before the application proceeds. Each rule links to the detailed standard in the passport photo rules library.
| Photo size | 33 mm × 48 mm (3.3 × 4.8 cm / 1.30 × 1.89 in) |
|---|---|
| Width | 33 mm (390 px @ 300 DPI) |
| Height | 48 mm (567 px @ 300 DPI) |
| Background | Plain white — uniform, no shadows, gradients, patterns or objects. See background colour rules |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 28 – 33 mm. See head size rules |
| Head width (across the face) | 15 – 22 mm — a separate published parameter, checked alongside head height |
| Face coverage | 70 – 80% of frame height. See face size requirements |
| Eye position | Eyes roughly two-thirds up the photo, open and looking at the camera. See eyes requirements |
| Lighting | Even and diffuse, no shadow on the face or the wall. See shadow rules |
| Printed resolution | 300 DPI minimum |
| Digital pixel range (COVA) | 354 × 472 px minimum to 420 × 560 px maximum |
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) for COVA digital uploads |
| Colour | 24-bit colour, sRGB, natural skin tones, no filters or beautification |
| Glasses | Generally discouraged; may cause rejection through glare or obscured eyes. See glasses rules |
| Headwear | Not permitted unless worn for religious reasons with the face fully visible. See head covering rules |
| Hair | Must not cover the eyes or cast shadow across the face. See hair rules |
| Ears | Both ears should be visible where hair allows. See ears visibility rules |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open and looking at the camera |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Quantity | Typically 1 printed photo affixed to the application form + 1 digital JPEG for COVA |
Digital vs Print Specification (Read This Before You Export)
A Chinese visa application uses two different photo specifications for the same submission, and mixing them is one of the most common avoidable failures. The printed photo affixed to the form is defined in millimetres. The COVA upload is defined in pixels, with a hard ceiling.
| Specification | Printed photo | COVA digital upload |
|---|---|---|
| Defined in | Millimetres | Pixels |
| Required size | 33 × 48 mm | 354 × 472 px to 420 × 560 px |
| Resolution | 300 DPI minimum | Not specified — pixel count governs |
| Format | Photo-quality paper, matte or gloss | JPEG, 24-bit colour, sRGB |
| Quantity | One copy affixed to the form | One file from the same session |
| Checked by | CVASC or embassy officer | Automated COVA quality checker |
Our maker exports both files from a single upload. For a wider walkthrough of pixel and file rules across portals, see the digital passport photo requirements guide. If your file needs shrinking, use the reduce file size guide.
China Visa Photo Dimensions & Pixels
The 33 x 48 mm format is unique to Chinese consular documents — no other major country uses this exact size, which is why generic passport photos prepared for another application are commonly rejected for Chinese visas.
Need a China-ready file with a plain white background? Use the Passport Photo Maker to generate one automatically.
For a full breakdown of pixel sizes across every country's passport and visa standard, see our passport photo size in pixels reference. To compare with other formats, see 35x45 photo size (used by most non-US visas) and 2x2 photo size (US standard). If your source image needs reframing first, the crop guide explains how the 11:16 ratio is applied.
COVA Online Upload
Most Chinese visa applications now begin on the COVA (China Online Visa Application) portal. The portal accepts a JPEG upload and runs an automated photo quality check before allowing submission, so a non-compliant file blocks the application rather than being caught later at the counter.
| COVA Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Format | JPEG (.jpg) |
| Pixel dimensions | 354 × 472 px minimum to 420 × 560 px maximum |
| Colour mode | 24-bit colour (sRGB) |
| Background | Plain white, uniform, no shadow |
| Head height | 28 – 33 mm equivalent within the frame |
| Head width | 15 – 22 mm equivalent within the frame |
| Head position | Face centred, eyes level and facing the camera |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Editing | No filters, skin smoothing, slimming or tone adjustment |
| Quality check | Automated review before submission is permitted |
COVA photo specifications are set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and can be revised. Always confirm the current digital upload rules on the official COVA portal before you submit.
China Visa Photo vs China Passport Photo
People frequently confuse the Chinese visa photo and the Chinese passport photo because they share the same physical size. The differences come down to who the photo is for, which authority issues the document, and where the photo is submitted.
| Requirement | China Visa Photo | China Passport Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 33 × 48 mm | 33 × 48 mm |
| Aspect ratio | 11 : 16 | 11 : 16 |
| Background | Plain white | Plain white |
| Head height | 28 – 33 mm | 28 – 33 mm |
| Head width | 15 – 22 mm | 15 – 22 mm |
| Who it is for | Foreign travellers visiting China | Chinese citizens applying for their own passport |
| Issuing authority | Chinese embassy, CVASC or COVA | National Immigration Administration of China |
| Submission | CVASC, embassy, or COVA upload | Local exit-entry administration office in China |
| Copies | One affixed to the form + COVA upload | Two printed + one digital |
| Photographer rules | Self-taken or photo studio | Often captured at the official appointment in China |
If you are a Chinese citizen rather than a foreign traveller, the specification is the same but the process is not. See the dedicated China passport photo guide for the exit-entry office and NIA detail.
China Visa Photo Compared to Other Visa Photos
The 33 x 48 mm Chinese format sits on its own. Nothing else in the region matches it, which is why a photo prepared for a neighbouring country's visa is refused.
| Visa | Photo size | Aspect ratio | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Visa | 33 × 48 mm | 11 : 16 | Plain white |
| Schengen Visa | 35 × 45 mm | 7 : 9 | Light grey |
| Japan Visa | 45 × 45 mm | 1 : 1 | Plain white |
| South Korea Visa | 35 × 45 mm | 7 : 9 | Plain white |
| Thailand Visa | 35 × 45 mm | 7 : 9 | Plain white |
| Singapore Visa | 35 × 45 mm | 7 : 9 | Plain white |
| US Visa (DS-160) | 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 in) | 1 : 1 | Plain white |
| Canada Visa | 35 × 45 mm | 7 : 9 | Plain white |
| India e-Visa | 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 in) | 1 : 1 | Plain white |
Every national standard is indexed in the passport photo requirements by country hub, and every visa standard in the visa photo requirements hub.
China Visa Photo by Visa Type
The 33 x 48 mm photo specification applies across every category of Chinese visa, from short-term tourism to long-term work. The same biometric photo is reused on the application form, the COVA upload, and the printed visa sticker.
Applying for any China visa category above?
Create China Visa Photo →China Visa Photo for a Child or Infant
China applies the same 33 x 48 mm specification to minors, including newborns. There is no reduced head height for babies and no relaxed background rule. The practical difficulty is meeting an adult framing standard with a subject who cannot sit up or hold still, so the requirements below are the ones that most often cause a child visa photo to be refused.
Same size, same head height
33 x 48 mm frame with 28–33 mm chin-to-crown head height and 15–22 mm head width. No age exemption applies.
Child alone in the frame
No supporting hands, arms, car seat, toy or dummy may be visible, and no other person may appear. Support the child from behind a plain white sheet.
Eyes open, mouth closed
Both eyes should be open and looking towards the camera. For newborns a relaxed, closed-mouth expression with eyes open is expected wherever achievable.
No shadow behind the head
Lay the child on a white sheet in soft, indirect daylight and photograph from directly above. Overhead light from one side creates the shadow that fails the background check.
Hair off the face
Hair must not fall across the eyes or obscure the outline of the face. Both ears should be visible where the child's hair allows.
Each traveller needs their own
Every applicant on a family application, including infants, needs a separate compliant photo. A child cannot appear on a parent's photo.
For step-by-step technique with a baby or toddler, including positioning and lighting at home, see our baby passport photo at home guide. The eyes requirements and shadow rules pages cover the two checks that fail most often on child photos.
Create Your China Visa Photo Online
The Chinese 33 x 48 mm photo combines four things that are hard to get right manually: an unusual 11:16 crop ratio, a 28–33 mm head height, a 15–22 mm head width, and a plain white background that the COVA quality checker reviews automatically.
Upload any portrait and the system detects your face, applies the China-specific crop, replaces the background with white, and exports both files you need: 390 × 567 pixels for printing and a within-range file for the COVA upload.
Upload your photo and our Passport Photo Maker automatically:
- Crops the photo correctly to the 33 x 48 mm China visa frame at an exact 11:16 ratio
- Centres your face within the 28-33 mm biometric head range
- Applies the required plain white background
- Exports 390 × 567 pixels for printing and a COVA file inside the 420 × 560 ceiling
- Generates a print-ready 4 x 6 inch sheet with multiple copies
How to Meet China Visa Photo Requirements
- Take a high-resolution photo — Stand 4-5 feet from a plain white wall in soft, even daylight, keeping at least 20 inches clear of the wall so no shadow falls behind your head. Face the camera squarely with a neutral expression and closed mouth. Remove hats and large jewellery; if you wear glasses, consider removing them to avoid glare and biometric issues.
- Open the Passport Photo Maker — Visit the ClonyPDF Passport Photo Maker and drag your image into the upload area.
- Set the 33 x 48 mm China format — Choose the 33 x 48 mm China visa format so the tool locks the 11:16 crop ratio, the 28-33 mm chin-to-crown rule, and the white background.
- Auto-crop and verify — Face detection centres your head within the China frame and flags framing issues before you export. Check that both eyes are open and level and that no shadow falls on the wall behind you.
- Export both files — Download the 390 × 567 pixel file for printing plus a COVA file inside the 420 × 560 pixel ceiling, and the print-ready 4 × 6 inch sheet. Use the print for the application form and the digital file for the COVA upload.
Printing a 33 x 48 mm China Visa Photo
The printed photo is affixed to the application form at your CVASC appointment, so print quality and cutting accuracy are part of the specification. A 33 x 48 mm photo is smaller than most standard passport formats, which means more copies fit on a sheet and clean edges matter more.
| Print resolution | 300 DPI minimum — export at 390 × 567 pixels |
|---|---|
| Paper | Photo-quality paper, matte or gloss. Plain copier paper is refused |
| Copies per 4 × 6 inch sheet | Eight 33 × 48 mm photos with cutting margins |
| Cutting | Guillotine or steel rule for square edges. Do not cut inside the printed border |
| Colour | sRGB colour profile. Disable printer auto-enhance, skin smoothing and colour correction |
| Handling | Let ink dry fully. Bring the photo flat — officers can refuse bent corners or glue residue from a previous application |
| Attaching | Follow the form instructions. Do not staple through the face |
Printer settings, paper choice and cutting technique are covered in full in the print passport photo at home guide. For sheet layout, the 4 x 6 print sheet guide explains how multi-copy sheets are arranged and trimmed.
Get a print-ready 4 x 6 sheet with eight 33x48 mm copies, ready to cut.
Generate Print Sheet →CVASC and Chinese Embassy Submission
In most countries Chinese visa applications are handled by the China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) rather than directly at the embassy. The photo requirements are the same in both channels.
| Submission Path | Photo Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CVASC application centre | 33 x 48 mm printed + digital upload | Photo affixed to application form during appointment |
| Chinese embassy (direct) | 33 x 48 mm printed | Available in some countries — check local embassy |
| COVA online portal | JPEG, 354 × 472 to 420 × 560 px | Automated quality check before submission |
| Group visa / express service | 33 x 48 mm printed | Same standard, faster processing time |
Bring the printed 33 x 48 mm photo to your CVASC appointment with sharp, freshly cut edges. Officers can refuse photos with bent corners or glue residue from previous applications.
Why China Visa Photos Get Rejected
These are the failures that recur most often at the CVASC counter and in the automated COVA check. Each links to the detailed rule so you can confirm the exact tolerance before you submit. The full cross-country breakdown is in passport photo rejection reasons.
Wrong Dimensions
Photo cropped to 35x45 mm (Schengen) or 2x2 inch (US) instead of the 33x48 mm Chinese specification. Most generic passport photos do not match. See the crop guide.
COVA File Too Large
Uploading a 390 x 567 pixel file, which exceeds the 560 pixel height ceiling. The print and digital sizes are not interchangeable.
Wrong Background
Off-white, cream, light grey, or coloured backgrounds are commonly rejected. China requires a uniform plain white background. See background colour rules.
Head Height Outside 28-33 mm
Chin-to-crown measurement too small or too large, breaking the Chinese consular framing rules. See head size rules.
Head Width Outside 15-22 mm
The face is correctly tall but too narrow or too wide in frame, usually from cropping to height alone. See face size requirements.
Glasses With Glare
If glasses are worn, reflections or partially hidden eyes commonly trigger rejection. Tinted lenses are never accepted. See glasses rules.
Eyes Closed or Looking Away
Both eyes must be open, level and directed at the lens. See eyes requirements.
Smile or Open Mouth
The COVA automated check expects a neutral expression with closed lips. Smiles and open mouths commonly fail.
Shadows on Face or Wall
Side lighting creates shadows under the chin or on the wall behind the head. The lighting must be even. See shadow rules.
Hair Across the Face
A fringe over the eyes or hair obscuring the face outline fails landmark detection. See hair rules.
Ears Hidden
Hair covering one or both ears, or styled to obscure the side of the face, can fail Chinese biometric checks. See ears visibility rules.
Headwear
Hats and decorative headwear are refused. Religious head coverings must leave the full face visible. See head covering rules.
Beautification or Filters
Skin smoothing, slimming and colour filters from phone camera modes alter facial geometry and are detected. Shoot in a plain, unfiltered mode.
Old Photo
Photos older than 6 months are rejected, especially if they appear on previous Chinese visa applications.
Damaged Print
Bent corners, uneven hand-cut edges, or glue residue from a previous application are refused at the counter even when the image itself is compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Size & Measurements
What are the China visa photo requirements?
The photo must be 33 x 48 mm on a plain white background, taken within the last 6 months, with a neutral expression and closed mouth. The head must measure 28–33 mm from chin to crown and 15–22 mm in width. Both ears should be visible where hair allows, and the lighting must be even with no shadow behind the head.
What is the Chinese visa photo size?
The Chinese visa photo size is 33 mm × 48 mm (3.3 × 4.8 cm or 1.30 × 1.89 inches). Chinese consular notices usually write it as 48 mm × 33 mm, height first. At 300 DPI it equals 390 × 567 pixels with an 11:16 aspect ratio.
What are the head height and head width requirements?
The head must measure 28 to 33 mm from chin to crown and 15 to 22 mm in width across the face. Both figures are published by Chinese consular sources and both are checked. Head height alone fills roughly 70–80% of the 48 mm frame, and cropping to height only is a common cause of refusal.
What pixel size does the COVA photo upload need?
Between 354 × 472 pixels and 420 × 560 pixels as a JPEG. A printed 33 x 48 mm photo at 300 DPI equals 390 × 567 pixels, which is correct for printing but exceeds the 560 pixel digital ceiling. Export 420 × 560 or smaller for the upload and 390 × 567 for the print.
Appearance & Compliance
What background colour is required?
A plain white background. It must be uniform with no shadows, gradients or patterns. Off-white, cream, light grey, and any coloured background are commonly rejected. See the background colour rules.
Can I wear glasses?
Glasses are generally discouraged and may cause rejection if they create glare, obscure the eyes, or interfere with biometric checks. Many applicants remove them. Tinted lenses are not accepted.
Are head coverings allowed?
Hats and decorative headwear are not permitted. A head covering worn for religious reasons may be accepted provided the full face from chin to forehead stays visible with no shadow across the features. See the head covering rules.
How recent must the photo be?
The photo must be taken within the last 6 months and reflect your current appearance. Reusing a photo that appeared on a previous Chinese visa application is generally not permitted.
Children & Related Documents
What are the China visa photo rules for a baby or child?
The same 33 x 48 mm size, plain white background and 28–33 mm head height apply to minors, including newborns. The child must be alone in the frame with no supporting hands, car seat, toy or dummy visible. Eyes should be open where possible and the mouth closed. Every applicant needs their own photo. See the child and infant requirements section.
Is the Chinese visa photo the same as the Chinese passport photo?
They share the same 33 × 48 mm size, 11:16 ratio and white background, but the visa photo is for foreign travellers and goes to the embassy, CVASC or COVA, while the passport photo is for Chinese citizens and goes to the National Immigration Administration. See our China passport photo guide.
Is the Chinese visa photo the same as the Schengen visa photo?
No. Schengen visa photos are 35 x 45 mm with a light-coloured background and a 7:9 ratio, while Chinese visa photos are 33 x 48 mm with a plain white background and an 11:16 ratio. They are not interchangeable. See our Schengen visa photo requirements guide.
Taking, Printing & Submitting
How many photos do I need?
Most Chinese visa applications require one recent printed photo affixed to the application form, plus one digital JPEG uploaded to the COVA system. Confirm with the CVASC centre or embassy handling your application, as local practice varies.
Can I take a Chinese visa photo at home?
Yes. Photograph against a plain white wall in soft daylight, standing at least 20 inches clear of the wall, then upload the image to our Passport Photo Maker to apply the 33 x 48 mm crop, head size, and white background standard.
Can I upload a digital photo to the COVA portal?
Yes. The COVA portal accepts a JPEG between 354 × 472 and 420 × 560 pixels and runs an automated quality check before allowing submission. Specifications are set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and can change, so verify the current rules on the official portal before submitting.
How do I print a 33 x 48 mm visa photo at home?
Print at 300 DPI on photo-quality paper. A standard 4 x 6 inch sheet holds eight 33 x 48 mm photos with cutting margins. Cut with a guillotine for square edges and bring the photo flat. See the print at home guide.
Can I use my phone camera?
Yes. Modern smartphone cameras far exceed the resolution required. Two things need care: switch off beautification, portrait blur and skin smoothing, which alter facial geometry and are detected; and let the tool handle the 11:16 crop and white background rather than cropping by hand.
Related Passport & Visa Photo Guides
Official Sources & References
- China Online Visa Application (COVA) Portal — cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn
- China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) — visaforchina.cn
- CVASC — Visa Application Photo Requirements notice: visaforchina.cn
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, consular services — cs.mfa.gov.cn
- Local Chinese embassies and consulates — country-specific visa pages
- ICAO Doc 9303 — Machine Readable Travel Documents biometric photograph standard: icao.int
Create Your China Visa Photo Now
Skip the visa centre photo studio fee. Upload one image and download a 33 × 48 mm China visa photo with the plain white background and biometric head proportions applied automatically — 390 × 567 pixels for printing, a within-range file for the COVA upload, and a 4 × 6 inch sheet holding eight copies for your CVASC appointment.
Create China Visa Photo →