China Visa
China
Create a compliant 33x48mm photo for your Chinese visa (L, M, Z).
Last reviewed:
中文 · English
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Example photo guidance
China Visa — key specifications
At-a-glance summary of the official China photo template. Every value below is enforced automatically when you upload your image.
| Physical size | 33 mm × 48 mm (1.30 in × 1.89 in) |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 390 × 567 px (300 DPI) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Max file size | 80 KB (JPEG) |
| Head coverage | 70–80% of photo height (ICAO-aligned) |
| Print sheet | 4x6 · 9 |
Requirements
Check dimensions and official rules on this page.
- Physical: 33mm × 48mm
- Digital: 390–390px × 567–567px
- Max file size: 80 KB
Mandatory facial features, clothing, and resolution rules.
National Immigration Administration — China visa photo spec
China's National Immigration Administration sets the 33 × 48 mm visa photo standard with a specific head-height band (28–33 mm) and a precise top-margin requirement. The visa template differs sharply from the ICAO-aligned 35 × 45 mm used by most countries.
Why use this China Visa tool
- $3.99Final photo + 4×6 print sheet. No subscription. Studios typically charge $15 – $30 for the same output.
- Free previewYou only pay once a watermarked preview confirms the crop, background, and biometric framing meet the spec.
- Refund if non-compliantIf our output fails the issuing-authority checklist, we refund — see our refund policy.
Common reasons China Visa photos are rejected
Issuing authorities reject submissions that miss any of the items below. Our tool automatically corrects crop, background, and dimensions, but you still control the original capture — review this list before you upload.
- background_not_white
- ears_covered
- white_clothing
- jewelry_visible
- forehead_covered
Chinese visa photo rejection patterns from CVASC data
The Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) operates the largest single intake channel for Chinese visa photos worldwide. CVASC staff routinely report that 15 – 20% of submissions fail at the dimensions or head-height check before reaching the consular officer.
The 28 – 33 mm head-height requirement is the most-failed criterion. Many users size their photo to the 33 × 48 mm overall dimensions but don't verify the head measures within the narrow chin-to-crown band. The 15 – 22 mm head-width band is similarly under-checked.
- Head height outside the strict 28 – 33 mm chin-to-crown band
- Head width outside the 15 – 22 mm band
- Background not pure white — off-white or cream is rejected; light grey is rejected
- Photo younger than 6 months but applicant appearance has materially changed
- Wearing white or near-white clothing that blends with the background
- Glasses worn (China prohibition predates US/UK — always in effect)
- Resolution below 354 × 472 pixels
Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) submission process
Most Chinese visa applications outside China route through CVASC — not the consulate directly. CVASCs operate in major US cities (Washington DC, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago) plus international hubs in London, Toronto, Sydney, Berlin, Paris, and others.
The CVASC standard procedure: book an appointment, arrive with two printed 33 × 48 mm photos plus the digital source on USB, complete the application form on site, pay the visa fee. Most CVASCs run an automated photo-validation scanner at intake; bring backup prints in case the scanner rejects the primary submission.
- Washington DC CVASC — 1601 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington VA
- New York CVASC — 520 8th Avenue, New York NY
- Los Angeles CVASC — 500 Citadel Drive, Commerce CA
- San Francisco CVASC — 1660 Tiburon Boulevard, Belvedere Tiburon CA
- Houston CVASC — 12 Greenway Plaza, Houston TX
- Chicago CVASC — 100 W Randolph Street, Chicago IL
What's different about a Chinese passport vs a Chinese visa photo
Both use 33 × 48 mm with identical head-height (28 – 33 mm) and head-width (15 – 22 mm) requirements. Background is plain white for both.
The submission process differs: Chinese passports for citizens are issued at Chinese Exit-Entry Administration offices on the mainland, while Chinese visas for foreign travellers go through CVASC. The photo specification is identical — the same file works for either application.
Can I reuse my Chinese visa photo for Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan?
No — three different formats:
- Hong Kong: 40 × 50 mm, plain white background — separate Hong Kong Immigration Department rules
- Macau: 35 × 45 mm, plain white background — closer to ICAO international standard
- Taiwan: 35 × 45 mm, plain white background — also ICAO-aligned
- Mainland Chinese visa: 33 × 48 mm — the format only used by mainland China
China Visa — common questions
What is the exact Chinese visa photo size requirement?
33 × 48 mm (3.3 × 4.8 cm) printed, 354 × 472 to 420 × 567 pixels at 300 – 600 DPI digital. Head height must measure 28 – 33 mm chin-to-crown with head width between 15 – 22 mm. Plain white background only — light grey or cream is rejected. The China National Immigration Administration enforces these dimensions strictly via automated review at the consulate.
Can I use a US 2×2 inch photo for a Chinese visa application?
No. The US 2×2 inch (51 × 51 mm) format is square; the Chinese visa requires 33 × 48 mm rectangular with specific head-height (28 – 33 mm) and head-width (15 – 22 mm) bands. A US-format photo submitted to a Chinese consulate is rejected at the dimensions check. Always reformat your source photo to the Chinese specification before submission.
Where do I submit the printed Chinese visa photo — consulate or visa centre?
Most countries route Chinese visa applications through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC), not the consulate directly. CVASCs in major US cities (Washington DC, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago) accept walk-in and appointment submissions. Bring 2 printed 33 × 48 mm photos plus the digital file on a USB drive in case the centre's automated reader rejects the physical print.
What is the official China Visa size?
The official China Visa size is 33 mm × 48 mm (1.30 in × 1.89 in). For digital uploads it equals 390 × 567 px at 300 DPI.
What background color is required for a China Visa?
China Visa photos must be taken on a plain white background, evenly lit and free of shadows or patterns.
How big should the face appear in a China Visa photo?
The head should fill approximately 70–80% of the photo height, with eyes positioned in the upper-middle of the frame and a neutral expression looking straight at the camera.
Can I take a China Visa photo at home?
Yes. Use a recent phone photo against a plain wall, with even daylight and no glasses. Our tool then crops, recolors the background, and resizes to the official 33 mm × 48 mm template.
Can I print the China Visa at CVS, Walgreens, or another pharmacy?
Yes. We generate a 4x6 print sheet with 9 photos that any pharmacy or photo kiosk can print.
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Where we sourced these China specifications
Dimensions, background colour, and biometric framing on this page are compiled from the references below. Always reconfirm the latest guidance directly with the issuing authority before submitting an application.
- cs.mfa.gov.cn
Last reviewed:
Other countries' passport & visa photo rules
Photo dimensions and background rules vary by issuing authority. Compare nearby countries you may also be applying to.