Chinese Passport Photo Requirements — Complete Guide 2026

Country guide · 🇨🇳 China · Last verified: February 2026

Chinese passport and visa photos use a 33×48 mm format — different from the 35×45 mm standard used by most countries, and different from the 2×2 inch US standard. This is the most common mistake. This guide covers exact specifications for Chinese passport, visa, and the new COVA online visa system.

Quick facts


Size	33×48 mm
Background	White, light grey, or light blue
Head height	28–33 mm (chin to crown)
Head width	15–22 mm
Top margin	3–5 mm above hair
Photos required	2 (1 for digital)
Recency	Within 6 months
Glasses	Not permitted
Print quality	Glossy paper only
Source	cs.mfa.gov.cn

The size that trips everyone up

33×48 mm — not 35×45 mm, not 2×2 inches.

China uses a non-standard size that is narrower and taller than most countries. At US pharmacies and photo labs, staff are usually only familiar with the 2×2 inch US format. If you go to CVS or Walgreens and ask for a "Chinese passport photo," they may give you the wrong size.

Always confirm 33×48 mm (3.3 × 4.8 cm) before paying.

Photo specifications

Size and dimensions

Photo size: 33 mm wide × 48 mm tall
Head height: 28–33 mm from chin to crown (top of head including hair)
Head width: 15–22 mm
Top margin: 3–5 mm between top of hair and top edge of photo
Face coverage: 70–80% of photo area

Background

White, light grey, or light blue — all three are accepted for Chinese passport and visa photos. Most applicants use white. Avoid backgrounds with patterns, shadows, or textures.

Important: Avoid wearing white or light blue clothing, as it blends into the background.

Expression and appearance

Expression: neutral, mouth closed. No smiling or frowning.
Eyes: both open, looking directly at camera. No red-eye.
Head position: straight, facing camera directly. No tilt beyond 20° left/right or 25° up/down.
Glasses: not permitted. This is a change from older requirements — glasses are now banned in Chinese passport photos.
Head coverings: not permitted except for religious or cultural reasons (e.g. yarmulke, hijab). Full face must be visible.
Clothing: dark-coloured clothing recommended. Avoid white, light blue, or uniforms.
Makeup: allowed but must look natural. Heavy foundation changing skin tone will cause rejection.
Jewellery: allowed if it does not cover any part of the face.

Print quality

Colour only — black and white not accepted
Glossy paper only — matte paper is not accepted for Chinese passport photos (unlike many other countries that accept matte)
Resolution: minimum 300 DPI (600 DPI recommended)
Digital file size: 40–120 KB for digital submissions
No creases, stains, or damage

Chinese visa photo — same specifications

The same 33×48 mm specifications apply to Chinese visa photos. This applies to all visa types: tourist (L), business (M), student (X), and others.

COVA system — new China online visa application (September 2025)

China launched the COVA (China Online Visa Application) system on September 30, 2025. This new system handles tourist visa applications for eligible nationalities.

Digital photo requirements for COVA:

Same 33×48 mm proportions
White background
JPEG format
File size: typically 40–120 KB

Important COVA note: The COVA system sometimes displays *"The photo check failed."* even when the photo meets all official requirements. This is a known platform bug that Chinese authorities are aware of. If you see this error with a compliant photo, continue with your application — consular officers manually review all photos.

Even with COVA, you still need a printed photo. After digital upload, you must bring a printed 33×48 mm photo to the consulate for in-person submission attached to your printed COVA form.

Where to get Chinese passport photos in the US

Most US pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens) are not reliably set up for the 33×48 mm format. Options:

Chinese-owned photo studios in major cities — staff familiar with exact requirements including glossy paper
Online services: PixID, Snap2Pass — generate correctly sized file you print at a photo lab
Print yourself at a photo lab: create a file at 33×48 mm, print on 4×6 glossy paper at Walmart or CVS, cut to size

Always confirm the studio or lab is using the 33×48 mm format, not 35×45 mm or 2×2 inches.

Child and baby passport photos

Same 33×48 mm size applies to all ages.

Infant must be the only person in the photo — no hands or other people visible
Infants may be photographed lying on a white surface
Young children: eyes should be open if possible but infants have more flexibility
Same background and quality requirements apply

Common rejection reasons

Wrong size — using 35×45 mm or 2×2 inches instead of 33×48 mm
Matte paper — Chinese passport requires glossy paper, not matte
Glasses — no longer permitted
Background colour — non-uniform, patterned, or wrong colour
Head size outside 28–33 mm — too small or too large
White or light blue clothing — blends into background
Non-neutral expression — even a slight smile
Shadows on face or background
File too large or too small for digital submission (must be 40–120 KB)

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Chinese passport photo?

33 mm wide × 48 mm tall (3.3 × 4.8 cm). Head height 28–33 mm. This is different from the 35×45 mm used by most European countries and the 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) US format.

What background colour for a Chinese passport photo?

White, light grey, or light blue — all three are accepted. Most applicants use white.

Can I wear glasses in a Chinese passport photo?

No. Glasses are not permitted in Chinese passport or visa photos. This changed from older requirements.

Does the Chinese visa photo have the same specifications as the passport photo?

Yes — same 33×48 mm size, same background options, same face requirements.

What paper should Chinese passport photos be printed on?

Glossy paper only. Matte paper is not accepted — this is different from most other countries.

What is the COVA system?

China's new online visa application system launched September 30, 2025. It allows digital photo upload for eligible nationalities. Even with COVA, you still need a printed 33×48 mm photo for in-person consulate submission.

Where can I get 33×48 mm photos in the US?

Most US pharmacies are set up for US/European formats. Use an online service (PixID, Snap2Pass) to generate the correct file, then print on glossy 4×6 paper at a Walmart or photo lab. Or visit a Chinese-owned photo studio in major cities.