China Visa photo requirements
China's visa photo is 48×33 mm with the head 28–33 mm tall and 15–22 mm wide, a white (or near-white) background with no border, a neutral expression with lips closed and ears visible, and the head tilted no more than 20° sideways or 25° up/down. Verified against the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (visaforchina.cn) for online COVA applications.
L’essentiel
- Dimensions de la photo
- 33×48 mm
- Hauteur de la tête
- 58–69 % de la photo (menton au sommet du crâne)
- Ligne des yeux
- 50–65 % depuis le bas
- Arrière-plan
- Plain white
- Expression
- Neutre, bouche fermée
- Résolution de sortie
- 354×472 px à 300 dpi
- Taille de fichier maximale
- 120 KB (JPEG)
Chaque règle, sourcée
Taille, forme et position de la tête
Source ↗The photo must be 48 mm × 33 mm (height × width). Your head must measure 28–33 mm from chin to crown and 15–22 mm wide, with the entire head and face clearly visible and the head centered in the photo. For online COVA upload the image is a JPEG of 354×472 up to 420×560 pixels, roughly 40–120 KB.
Expression
Source ↗Your facial expression should be neutral, with eyes open, lips closed, and ears visible. Face the camera with the entire head and face clearly visible.
Lunettes
Source ↗Eyeglasses are allowed EXCEPT thick-rimmed, tinted, or glare glasses. If you wear ordinary glasses, the frames must not cover the eyes and the lenses must be clear with no reflection.
Couvre-chefs (religieux / médical)
Source ↗Hats or other head coverings are only permitted for religious reasons, and even then no facial feature may be obscured. Ears must remain visible.
Chapeaux et casquettes
Source ↗Hats and head wear are not accepted except for religious reasons, and the full face must remain visible.
Éclairage
Source ↗The photo must have a natural tone and must not be over- or under-exposed. Skin tones should look natural and the image must not be distorted.
Ombres
Source ↗There must be no shadow over the face, and no damages or impurities on the photo.
Arrière-plan
Source ↗The background should be white or close to white, with no edge frame. A photo with a scene from everyday life is not accepted.
Yeux rouges et flash
Source ↗The photo must not show red eye. Use diffused lighting or reposition the flash so the eyes appear natural with no red-eye reflection.
Cheveux et obstruction du visage
Source ↗The entire head and face must be clearly visible with no facial feature obscured, both eyes open, and ears visible. Pin back long hair or bangs that cover the eyes, eyebrows, or ears.
Regard et yeux
Source ↗Face the camera directly. The head may be tilted no more than 20° left or right and no more than 25° up or down.
Bébés et enfants
Non spécifié par l’autoritéNot specified by China's visa authority; ICAO/best-practice default applies — photograph the child alone against a plain white background with eyes open, mouth closed, no toys, hands, or other people in frame, and no supporting hands visible.
China visa photo requirements, in plain English
China's visa photo rules are set by the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (visaforchina.cn) and apply to both printed photos and the image you upload to the China Online Visa Application (COVA) system. Every rule below comes straight from the official photo-requirements guidance.
Size, head height, and position
The photo must be 48 mm tall × 33 mm wide. Within that frame your head must measure 28–33 mm from chin to crown and 15–22 mm wide, with the entire head and face clearly visible and centered in the photo. When you apply online, COVA accepts a JPEG of 354×472 pixels (up to 420×560), roughly 40–120 KB.
Expression — neutral, no smile
Use a neutral expression with your eyes open and lips closed. Unlike the US passport, China does not allow a smile. A key China-specific rule: your ears must be visible, so pin back long hair and lift any bangs that fall over the eyes, eyebrows, or ears.
Head tilt and gaze
Face the camera directly. China gives an explicit tolerance: the head may be tilted no more than 20° left or right and no more than 25° up or down. Beyond that the photo is rejected.
Glasses — allowed, within limits
China is more permissive than most countries here: ordinary clear eyeglasses are allowed. What is not accepted is thick-rimmed frames, tinted glasses or sunglasses, or any glare/reflection on the lenses. If your frames cover your eyes or your lenses catch the light, take them off.
Head coverings and hats
Hats and head coverings are not accepted except for religious reasons, and even then no facial feature may be obscured and your ears must stay visible.
Lighting, shadows, and red-eye
The photo must have a natural tone, neither over- nor under-exposed, with no shadow over the face and no red-eye or distortion. There must be no damages or impurities on the image.
Background
Use a white or close-to-white background with no edge frame. A photo with a scene from everyday life is not accepted. Snapassport standardizes your background to a compliant white automatically, so a slightly off-colour or busy wall is corrected for you.
Recency and format
Submit one colour photo taken within the last 6 months. If you print it, use glossy photo paper (not matte or plain paper), kept stainless, scratchless, and crease-free.
Foire aux questions
- What size is a China visa photo?
- 48 mm × 33 mm, with your head measuring 28–33 mm from chin to crown and 15–22 mm wide. For the online COVA application the digital file is a JPEG, typically 354×472 pixels (up to 420×560) and about 40–120 KB.
- Can you wear glasses in a China visa photo?
- Yes — ordinary clear eyeglasses are allowed. What is not accepted is thick-rimmed glasses, tinted glasses or sunglasses, or any glare/reflection on the lenses. If your frames cover your eyes or your lenses reflect light, take them off.
- Can you smile in a China visa photo?
- No. China requires a neutral expression with your eyes open and lips closed. A smile, visible teeth, or an open mouth will be rejected. Your ears must also be visible, so pin back long hair or bangs.
Sources, vérifiées le 2026-06-15 : Chinese Visa Application Service Center — Photo requirements (FAQ) · Chinese Visa Application Service Center — Visa Application Photo Must Satisfy Specific Requirements · China Online Visa Application (COVA)
Les règles évoluent. L’acceptation finale est toujours déterminée par l’autorité émettrice — Snapassport valide selon les exigences publiées, il ne se prononce pas.
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