Can I wear glasses in a Chinese visa photo?

No. Glasses are not permitted for Chinese passport or visa photos. Contact lenses are allowed if eyes are clearly visible and not tinted.

What background colour is required for a Chinese passport photo?

Plain white, uniform and shadow-free. Chinese embassy and passport-office counters often refuse grey or light-blue studio paper as “no white background”.

Is the Chinese e-Visa photo the same size?

Digital uploads should keep 33×48 mm proportions with JPEG format and a small file size — follow the active portal instructions.

Can I use a Chinese visa photo for my passport too?

Yes, if it meets the same specifications — both use 33×48 mm with identical composition rules when that format applies.

China Passport & Visa Photo 2026 — 33×48 mm Guide

Q: What size is a Chinese passport photo?

33 mm wide × 48 mm tall — not the common 35×45 mm format. Head height 28–33 mm from chin to crown.

Passport photo compliance checks: background, lighting, framing, and expression

Why China’s photo size is different

Most EU and UK booths default to 35×45 mm. Chinese authorities use 33×48 mm — consulate systems often reject wrong dimensions. Ask any studio explicitly for 33×48 mm.

Document	Size	Notes
Chinese passport	33 × 48 mm	Standard passport applications
Chinese visa (all common types)	33 × 48 mm	Tourist, business, student, work, etc.
Chinese Resident ID card	26 × 32 mm	Different — confirm with issuing authority
Student visa (X)	33 × 48 mm	Same as standard visa photo

Official photo specifications

Dimensions and file

Requirement	Specification
Width	33 mm
Height	48 mm
Head height (chin to crown)	28–33 mm
Face coverage	~60–75% of photo height
Resolution	300 DPI minimum for prints
Format	JPEG (digital submissions)
Colour	Full colour
Recency	Within 6 months

Background

The background must be plain white, even, and shadow-free. Grey or light-blue studio paper is a common “no white background” refusal at Chinese embassy and passport-office counters. No patterns, gradients, or shadows.

Glasses

Glasses are not permitted — rule enforced strictly for passports and visas. Remove prescription frames; contact lenses are OK if eyes are fully visible and not tinted.

Head position and framing

Head height 28–33 mm means your face fills roughly 58–69% of the 48 mm height. Face the camera squarely — no tilt. Both ears visible where possible. No portrait-style angles.

Expression and appearance

Requirement	Rule
Expression	Neutral — no smile
Mouth	Closed
Eyes	Open, looking at camera
Hair	Must not hide face edges or eyes
Jewellery	OK if it does not obscure the face
Headwear	Religious only — full face visible
Uniforms	Not permitted
Retouching	No beauty filters or blemish removal

Visa types (same 33×48 mm)

L (tourist), M/F (business), X1/X2 (study), Z (work), G (transit) — same photo format on the application. e-Visa (where available): JPEG, 33×48 proportions, light background, often under ~200 KB — follow the live portal.

China vs other countries

China’s 33×48 mm crop is narrower than the usual 35×45 mm Japan/Korea booth default and different again from India’s common 2×2-inch consulate print. For a full size table, see passport photo sizes by country and the photo requirements comparison.

Country	Photo size	Background
China	33 × 48 mm	White
Japan	35 × 45 mm	White
Korea	35 × 45 mm	White
India (consulate)	51 × 51 mm	White / light grey
USA	51 × 51 mm (2×2 in)	White
UK	35 × 45 mm	Light grey or cream

You cannot reuse a 35×45 mm Japan, Korea, or Schengen photo for China without reformatting.

How to take a compliant photo at home

Plain white wall, 60–80 cm from background, daylight from the front, no glasses, neutral face. Upload to PixID and select China — we set 33×48 mm, head height, and a white background.

Pre-submission passport photo checklist — 8 compliance checks before you submit

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Chinese passport photo?

33 × 48 mm — not 35×45 mm.

Can I wear glasses?

No. Remove all glasses for the photo.

What background colours are allowed?

Plain white only. Grey or light-blue studio paper is often refused as “no white background”.

Can I smile?

No — neutral expression, mouth closed.

How recent must the photo be?

Within the last 6 months.

Is the e-Visa photo the same size?

Keep 33×48 mm proportions for digital uploads — follow the active e-Visa portal.

Can I use one photo for passport and visa?

Yes, if it meets all current specs for both channels.

China Passport & Visa Photo Requirements 2026 — Complete Guide