🇨🇳 China visa photo requirements 2026
Last verified against Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China; Chinese Visa Application Service Centers (CVASC) on 2026-05-27. Source: bio.visaforchina.cn.
We approximate the published rules. The consulate makes the final call. Details
Check your photo
Upload a photo and we will verify it against the China rules below. First check is free.
Check my photo →At a glance
- Size
- 33 × 48 mm
- Head height
- 28–33 mm (chin to crown)
- Background
- White only
- Glasses
- Not allowed
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed
- Maximum age of photo
- 6 months
Top reasons China photos get rejected
- 1
Background not pure white (off-white, light grey, etc.)
Fix: Use pure white background. China is stricter than Schengen/UK on this.
- 2
Ears not fully visible
Fix: Pull hair behind ears; both ears must be visible in frame
- 3
Wearing glasses
Fix: Remove glasses
- 4
Wrong aspect ratio (using 35x45 mm instead of 33x48 mm)
Fix: Re-crop to exact 33x48 mm ratio
- 5
File size exceeds 120 KB (online application)
Fix: Compress to between 40 KB and 120 KB
- 6
Smile or non-neutral expression
Fix: Serious, neutral expression
What is specific to China
- China uses 33x48 mm — different from both the 35x45 mm (UK/Schengen) and 51x51 mm (U.S.) standards. Cannot reuse photos from those applications.
- Background must be PURE white — off-white or cream is rejected. This is stricter than Schengen.
- Ears must be clearly visible. Long hair must be pulled back or behind ears.
- File size cap of 120 KB is unusually small. May require additional compression.
- Online application via bio.visaforchina.cn runs automated photo verification before submission.
- Some Chinese consulates abroad have additional local requirements — check the specific consulate website where you are applying.