China Passport Photo Requirements 2026
Written and fact-checked by the PassportLayout team · Last verified:
Official requirements from China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) and the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre, checked against the sources on the date above. Also covers China visa photo requirements for foreign applicants.
Quick Summary
Chinese passport and China visa: 33×48 mm, head height 28–33 mm, background white, light grey, or light blue for passports (white recommended; visas require white or close to white), neutral expression with lips closed and ears visible. Untinted glasses allowed if the frames do not obscure the eyes.
Chinese Passport Photo Dimensions
Chinese citizens applying for a Chinese passport must provide photos measuring 33 mm wide and 48 mm tall. This format differs from the ICAO-derived 35 × 45 mm format used by most Western countries and is shared across China's exit-entry documents. The photo is printed in the passport booklet at this precise size, and all photos must meet the standard set out in the NIA's photo guidance for exit-entry documents (出入境证件相片照相指引).
The NIA guidance requires the portrait to be centred, neither too large nor too small in the frame, taken in even lighting with appropriate exposure and no shadows or bright spots on the face. Paper prints must be sharp and clean — no blurring, scan noise, stains, creases, borders, or scratches, and no red-eye.
China Visa Photo (for Foreign Applicants)
Foreign nationals applying for a Chinese visa (L, F, M, X, or other visa types) must provide one photo measuring 48 mm tall and 33 mm wide — the same format as the Chinese passport, not the 35 × 45 mm ICAO format. The Chinese Visa Application Service Centre, following instructions from the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifies photo size 48 mm × 33 mm with head width 15–22 mm and head height 28–33 mm. These requirements have been in effect since 19 December 2016.
This applies whether you are applying at a Chinese embassy or consulate directly, or through an authorised visa application centre. A non-compliant photo can cause the visa application to be declined, so it is worth checking the measurements carefully before submission.
Face and Head Size Requirements
Within the 33 × 48 mm frame, the head must measure 28–33 mm from chin to crown and 15–22 mm in width, with the head centred in the photo. The official visa photo specification also sets head-position tolerances: no more than 20° of tilt left or right, and no more than 25° up or down.
Both eyes must be fully open and visible, and the ears must be visible. The face must be photographed directly from the front — no profile or angled shots — with the entire head and face clearly visible and equal spacing on either side of the face.
Background Requirements
For China visa photos the background must be white or close to white, with no edge frame around the image, and photos taken against scenes of everyday life are not accepted. For domestic exit-entry documents, the NIA photo guidance requires a uniform background of white, light grey, or light blue with no gradient and no other people or objects visible — plain white is the safe choice for passport applications.
There must be no shadows on the background or across the face, and the face and clothing must contrast with the background colour. The background must be uniformly illuminated.
Expression, Glasses and Appearance
A natural, neutral expression is required: eyes naturally open, lips naturally closed, no smiling, visible teeth, or exaggerated expression, and no squinting or looking away from the camera. Sit upright with both shoulders level and look straight at the camera. Hair must not cover the eyes or the edges of the face, and heavy makeup is not allowed.
Contrary to popular belief, eyeglasses are allowed in Chinese passport and visa photos — but with strict conditions. The NIA guidance prohibits tinted lenses (except for medical reasons), advises against thick-rimmed frames, and requires that frames do not obscure the eyes and lenses show no reflection. Head coverings are only acceptable for religious (and, per the NIA, medical or cultural) reasons, and even then they must not obscure the face or cast shadows on it.
Photo Recency and Print Quality
Visa photos must be in colour, taken within the last 6 months, and must accurately represent the applicant's current appearance (for passports, the NIA simply asks that the photo be recent). Visa photos must also be printed on glossy photo paper — matte-finish or plain paper is not accepted — and must be free of stains, scratches, and creases, with natural colour tone and no over- or under-exposure.
Rules for Children and Infants
The NIA guidance includes specific allowances for children. Children under 4 years old are not required to hold a natural adult expression, though they must still look level at the camera. Infants under 1 year old may have their eyes closed. Nothing may obscure the child from in front or behind — no supporting hands, toys, or other objects may appear in the photo, and no hats may be worn.
Complete Specifications Table
| Requirement | Chinese Passport | China Visa (Foreign) |
|---|---|---|
| Photo size | 33 × 48 mm | 33 × 48 mm |
| Head height | 28–33 mm (chin to crown) | 28–33 mm (chin to crown) |
| Head width | 15–22 mm | 15–22 mm |
| Background | Uniform white, light grey, or light blue (white recommended) | White or close to white |
| Expression | Natural, eyes open, lips closed | Neutral, eyes open, lips closed, ears visible |
| Glasses | Allowed — no tinted or thick-rimmed frames, no glare | Allowed — no tinted or thick-rimmed frames, no glare |
| Recency | Recent photo | Within 6 months |
| Sharp, clean, no borders or scratches | Glossy photo paper only, no matte or plain paper |
Tips for China Visa Applicants
If you are applying for a Chinese visa from outside China, remember the 33×48 mm format is not the same as the 35×45 mm size used for UK and EU documents, so a leftover European passport photo will not fit. Use PassportLayout.online to crop your photo to the exact 33×48 mm proportions, then print it on glossy photo paper at a pharmacy or photo lab.
Chinese visa application centres (operated by CVASC or authorised agencies) sometimes offer on-site photo services, but these can be expensive. Bringing your own compliant photo is recommended — the CVASC requirements ask for one photo with the application, but a spare copy is useful in case of damage.
Create your China visa photo for free
Use the 33×48 mm format for both Chinese passport and China visa applications. No upload required.
Create your China visa photo — freeFrequently Asked Questions
What size is a Chinese passport photo?
Chinese passport photos are 33 mm wide and 48 mm tall. The head must measure 28–33 mm from chin to crown and 15–22 mm in width, per the photo standard used for Chinese exit-entry documents.
What size photo is needed for a China visa?
China visa photos use the same format as Chinese passports — 48 mm tall by 33 mm wide — with head width 15–22 mm and head height 28–33 mm. This requirement has been in effect since 19 December 2016, replacing the older 35 × 45 mm format.
Can I wear glasses in a Chinese passport or visa photo?
Yes, eyeglasses are allowed, but tinted lenses, thick-rimmed frames, and lenses with glare are not. The frames must not obscure the eyes.
Do my ears need to be visible in a China visa photo?
Yes. The official China visa photo requirements state the facial expression should be neutral with eyes open, lips closed and ears visible, with the entire head and face clearly visible.
Sources
- National Immigration Administration — Photo Guidance for Exit-Entry Documents (出入境证件相片照相指引) — official photo specifications (verified 7 July 2026)
- Chinese Visa Application Service Centre — Photo Requirements — official visa photo specifications per the MFA Consular Department (verified 7 July 2026)
- ICAO Doc 9303 — Machine Readable Travel Documents — international biometric portrait standard