What is the photo size for a China visa?

It must be 3.3 х 4.8 cm. A digital Chinese visa photo size in pixels must be 354 in width and 472 in height in pixels.

What to wear for a Chinese visa photo?

Opt for smart casual. Clothes color should contrast with the background. Make sure your shoulders are covered. Headwear is allowed for religious purposes only.

How to take a photo for a Chinese visa?

Take a photo against any background (better plain), make sure your face has no shadows and shoulders are fully visible. It is recommended to use daylight for better quality. Upload your photo to online photo tools like 7ID App or Visafoto - they will make sure that the result photo has the correct size, background color and resolution.

Can I take a visa photo at home?

Yes. Take a photo against any background with a smartphone and upload it to online photo tools like 7ID App or Visafoto - they will make sure that the result photo has the correct size, background color and resolution.

China Visa Photo Online

For citizens of most countries, a trip to China requires a visa. Along with your application, you must submit a recent China visa photo that meets the official requirements. Preparing the photo correctly in advance can help avoid delays or problems during the application process.

The China visa photo should be taken in advance, regardless of how the visa will be obtained: upon arrival at the airport, through the visa center, or in the embassy. High-quality photos will increase the chance of obtaining a visa.

Table of contents

Documents needed for Chinese visa application
Chinese visa photo requirements
Chinese E-visa photo requirements
Can I wear glasses in China visa photo?
China visa photo tool
FAQ
Links

Documents needed for Chinese visa application

Among the documents required to obtain a Chinese visa are the following:

Passport with a validity of at least 6 months;
Copy of the first page of the passport and previous Chinese visas (if any). In case previous Chinese visas are in the old passport, it is also necessary to provide a copy of the first page of this passport;
Completed visa application form;
Documents confirming the purpose of the trip (invitation, airline tickets, tour reservations, etc)
Copies of your national ID with personal data;
Some PRC Consulates may also require an insurance policy (original and copy) for the entire period of stay in the country (the amount of coverage should be not less than $15,000);
If you are applying for a visa to China for the first time, the Consulate staff may require a certificate of employment and bank account statement;
Chinese visa photo.

The list of documents may vary depending on your citizenship.

China visa photo requirements

When preparing a photo for a China visa application, make sure it follows the official requirements for size, background, facial position, and image quality. The photo should clearly show your face and allow visa officers to identify you. Requirements may vary slightly between Chinese embassies and China Visa Application Service Centers, so it is always recommended to check the instructions for your location.

The required China visa photo size is 48 × 33 mm (3.3 × 4.8 cm). Do not use standard passport photo sizes such as 35 × 45 mm unless they are adjusted to the Chinese visa format.
The head width should be between 15 mm and 22 mm, and the head height should be between 28 mm and 33 mm.
The distance from the top of the head to the upper edge of the photo should be about 3–5 mm, and the distance from the chin to the bottom edge should be at least 7 mm.
The face should be positioned in the center of the photo and fully visible. The applicant should look directly at the camera with a natural head position.
The China visa photo must be in color and taken within the last 6 months.
The background should be plain white or close to white. No objects, patterns, shadows, or frames are allowed.
The facial expression should be neutral, with eyes open and clearly visible and the mouth closed.
Both ears should be visible when possible, and hair should not cover the eyes or important facial features.
The lighting should be even, without shadows, reflections, overexposure, underexposure, or changes to the natural skin tone.
Headwear is allowed only for religious reasons and must not cover any facial features or create shadows.
Digital retouching, filters, or edits that change your facial appearance should be avoided.

Although some Chinese visa centers allow prescription glasses if they do not hide the eyes or create reflections, submitting a photo without glasses is usually the safest option. Some local centers have stricter rules regarding glasses and accessories.

The photo should represent your current appearance. If your appearance has changed significantly, for example due to a major hairstyle change or other visible changes, it is better to take a new photo before submitting your visa application.

Here is an example of a China visa photo:

China digital visa photo requirements

For online China visa applications ("COVA"), you need a digital version of your photo that meets the Chinese visa photo upload requirements. The digital photo should be prepared as a JPEG file with the correct dimensions, file size, and color format.

The recommended digital China visa photo size in pixels is 354 × 472 px. Official CVASC photo guidelines also allow images up to 420 × 560 px.
The photo for COVA should be uploaded as a JPEG file.
The recommended file size is 40–120 KB.
The image should be in RGB 24-bit true color.
The digital photo should follow the same requirements as a printed China visa photo: white background, frontal view, neutral expression, and clear facial features.

The exact upload requirements may depend on the online application system used in your country. Some systems allow the image to be cropped during the application process, while others require a file that already matches the required proportions. Preparing a 354 × 472 px JPEG file is the safest option for most online applications.

For online applications, remember that the digital photo and the printed photo are separate versions. If you submit documents in person, you may still need a printed China visa photo in the required 48 × 33 mm format.

Here is an example of a photo suitable for a Chinese e-visa:

Can I wear glasses in China visa photo?

Prescription glasses may be allowed, but the requirements can vary depending on the Chinese embassy or China Visa Application Service Center where you apply. If glasses are worn, they must not hide the eyes, create reflections, or affect the visibility of facial features.

Avoid thick frames that cover any part of the eyes or change the appearance of the face.
Tinted lenses, sunglasses, and glasses with glare or reflections are not allowed.
The eyes must be clearly visible and easy to identify.
Make sure the glasses do not create shadows on the face or background.

Although some locations allow prescription glasses under these conditions, other China visa centers recommend submitting a photo without glasses or have stricter local requirements. For example, some centers may specifically request photos without glasses or accessories. Therefore, removing glasses before taking your China visa photo is the safest option and reduces the risk of rejection.

China visa photo tool

Since China visa photo parameters are specific and differ from many standard passport photo formats, using a specialized online tool can help prepare the image correctly. With Visafoto, you can create a China visa photo online from anywhere in the world using a smartphone photo or an existing image.

Take an image with a smartphone against any background, upload it here and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport or ID. No registration required. You will see results in seconds.

Upload photo & Continue

Source

Result

Upload a portrait taken in full face view, and Visafoto will automatically adjust the photo for Chinese visa requirements. The service can resize the image to the required format, prepare the correct background, improve framing, and optimize image quality for visa submission.

Visafoto can also help improve photos that are not originally taken in a studio. If you only have an old digital image or a scan of a printed photo, the service can enhance image quality, improve resolution, correct lighting, and make the result look clearer while keeping your facial features unchanged.

The automatic processing includes:

adjusting the photo to the required China visa dimensions;
changing or correcting the background to a plain white background;
improving lighting and contrast for better facial visibility;
correcting framing and positioning of the head;
enhancing image resolution, including for scanned photos;
preparing a digital file for online submission and a printable template.

To create your China visa application photo, first take a photo with your smartphone under good lighting. Make sure your face is fully visible, look directly at the camera, and avoid shadows or objects in the background.

After processing, you will receive two versions of your China visa photo: a digital file for online applications and a printable template for producing physical copies.

FAQ

Do I need to print a photo for a China visa application?

It depends on where you apply and how your application is submitted. For online applications, you usually need a digital China visa photo that meets the required upload specifications. If you submit documents in person, some China Visa Application Service Centers may require a printed photo in addition to the digital version.

When a printed photo is required, it should be prepared in the official 48 × 33 mm format. Always check the instructions of your local Chinese embassy or visa center, as document requirements may vary by location.

What paper should I use for a China visa photo: matte or glossy?

China visa photos should be printed on high-quality glossy photo paper. Some China Visa Application Service Centers specifically do not accept matte or ordinary paper. If your local center does not mention the paper type separately, glossy paper is the safer option.

What types of Chinese visas require a photo?

A photo is generally required for most Chinese visa categories, including:

China tourist visa;
China business visa;
China work visa;
China student visa;
China transit visa;
China family visit visa;
China visa on arrival, where applicable.

The exact document requirements depend on the visa type and the country where you apply.

Can I use a regular passport photo for a China visa?

Only if it matches Chinese visa photo requirements. Standard passport photo sizes used in many countries, such as 35 × 45 mm, are usually different from the Chinese visa photo format of 48 × 33 mm. The image should be adjusted to the correct size before submission.

Can children use the same China visa photo requirements as adults?

No separate photo size or format for children and infants was found in the official China visa photo instructions. In general, children should follow the same photo requirements as adults unless the local Chinese embassy or visa center provides different instructions.

Can I smile in a China visa photo?

No. The expression should be neutral, with the mouth closed and eyes open. Smiling, showing teeth, or making exaggerated facial expressions can cause the photo to be rejected.

Last update: July 2026