China Visa Photo Size and Requirements (2026)

A China visa photo is 33 mm wide by 48 mm high, in colour, taken within the last 6 months, on a white or near-white background, with your head 28–33 mm tall and 15–22 mm wide. It must be printed on glossy photo paper. The online application form also needs a digital photo, and official pages describe its size slightly differently, so follow the form's own checker. This guide sets out the rules with quotes from the official China Visa Application Service Centers. For other countries, see our passport and visa photo size chart.

Checked on 19 September 2026 against the China Visa Application Service Center photo requirements (for example the Hong Kong centre's notice) and a notice from the Chinese Embassy in Costa Rica. The official online form could not be checked and may differ.

What size is a China visa photo?

The visa centres write it as "48mm x 33mm", meaning 48 mm high by 33 mm wide. That is a taller, narrower photo than the common 35 x 45 mm format used for UK passports and Schengen visas, so a spare UK or Schengen photo will not fit.

The official notice also sets the head size: "width of head: 15mm to 22mm, head height of head: 28mm to 33mm." One embassy notice adds the spacing: the gap from the top of the head to the top edge of the photo should be 3–5 mm, and from the chin to the bottom edge at least 7 mm.

A small number of official pages give the head height as "20mm to 33mm", which looks like a typo. Most official pages say 28–33 mm, so aim for that.

What background and photo quality are needed?

The notice lists these rules:

• "It must be a color photo, taken recently within the last 6 months."
• "Background should be in white or close to white, and with no edge frame. Photo with scene of everyday life is not accepted."
• "Photo should be printed on glossy finish photo paper, but not on matte finish paper or plain paper."

So a photo printed at home on ordinary paper, or a photo with a room behind you, will not be accepted.

Can I wear glasses in a China visa photo?

Yes, with limits: "Eyeglasses are allowed except thick-rimmed, tinted or glare glasses." If you wear glasses, make sure the frames are thin, the lenses are clear, and there is no reflection over your eyes. If in doubt, take them off.

What digital photo does the online form need?

Official pages differ on the pixel size. Two China Visa Application Service Center pages say the online form photo "can only be accepted as JPEG format, dimensions of which cannot exceed 354*472, with a file size between 40KB-120KB." A Chinese embassy notice gives a range of 354 x 472 to 420 x 560 pixels, also JPEG and 40–120 KB.

The safest approach is to prepare a JPEG of exactly 354 x 472 pixels and 40–120 KB, then follow any message the online form's photo checker shows. The checker has the final say, and it may be stricter or more recent than these notices.

Can I edit the photo or use AI?

Visa photos are identity photos and should show you exactly as you look. Do not retouch, filter or AI-edit the photo. Kissemall's passport photo preview tool has a China 33x48 mm preset you can use to see the framing and background, but the preview itself is square and AI-generated, so it is not a photo to submit.

China visa photo checklist

• 33 mm wide x 48 mm high, in colour
• Head 28–33 mm tall and 15–22 mm wide
• White or near-white background with no border and nothing behind you
• Taken within the last 6 months
• Printed on glossy photo paper
• Glasses only if thin-framed, untinted and glare-free
• Digital: JPEG, 40–120 KB, about 354 x 472 pixels (follow the form's checker)
• Unedited: no filters, retouching or AI

For Schengen visas, see our Schengen visa photo guide, and for Indian passports, visas and OCI cards, our India photo size guide. Every country we cover is in the passport and visa photo size chart.

Key takeaways

• China visa photos are 33 x 48 mm, with a 28–33 mm head, on a white or near-white background, printed on glossy paper.
• The photo must be taken within the last 6 months; thin, clear glasses are allowed.
• Official pages disagree slightly on the digital size, so prepare a 354 x 472 JPEG of 40–120 KB and follow the online form's checker.
• Do not edit the photo or submit AI-generated images.