Chinese Visa Photo Requirements — Complete Guide 2026

US Passport Guide · 🇨🇳 China · Last verified: February 2026

Getting a Chinese visa photo wrong is one of the most common mistakes US travelers make. The size is different from a US passport photo, the COVA system has a known bug, and you still need a printed photo even after uploading digitally. This guide covers everything.

Quick facts


Size	33×48 mm
Background	Plain white only
Head height	28–33 mm (chin to crown)
Eye height	21–24 mm from bottom
COVA digital	JPEG, 354–420×472–560 px, 40–120 KB
Photos required	1 (bring 2 to be safe)
Recency	Within 6 months
Glasses	Allowed with conditions
Source	Chinese Embassy in the United States

The most common mistake: wrong size

Chinese visa photos are 33 mm wide × 48 mm tall — not 2×2 inches.

The US passport photo format (51×51 mm / 2×2 inches) is wrong for a Chinese visa. Most US pharmacies — CVS, Walgreens — are set up for the US format. If you walk in and ask for a "passport photo," you'll get the wrong size.

Always specify 33×48 mm at any photo lab. Better yet, use an online service that knows the Chinese format and generates the correct file.

Photo specifications

Size and dimensions

Photo size: 33 mm wide × 48 mm tall (3.3 × 4.8 cm)
Head height: 28–33 mm from chin to crown
Eye height: 21–24 mm from bottom of photo
Head width: 15–22 mm
Face centred horizontally

Background

Plain white only — no off-white, no light grey. Chinese consulates reject photos with any background that isn't pure white. No patterns, textures, shadows, or borders.

Avoid white or very light clothing — it blends into the white background.

Expression and appearance

Expression: strictly neutral, mouth closed, no smiling
Eyes: both open, looking directly at camera
Head position: straight, no tilt beyond 20° left/right or 25° up/down
Both ears visible
Glasses: allowed if not thick-framed, not tinted, no glare, and eyes clearly visible. Sunglasses always prohibited. However, removing glasses is safer — even technically compliant glasses sometimes trigger rejection.
Head coverings: only for religious or cultural reasons, full face must be visible
Clothing: dark-coloured clothing recommended. No white tops, no uniforms

Quality

Colour only — black and white not accepted
Glossy photo paper for printed copies
Sharp, no blur or pixelation
Even lighting, no shadows
No digital retouching, filters, or beauty enhancements
File: JPEG for digital submissions

The COVA system — what changed in September 2025

China launched the China Online Visa Application (COVA) system on September 30, 2025. All visa applications now go through COVA.

How COVA works:

Create an account at the COVA website
Fill out the application form online
Upload your digital photo (JPEG, 354–420×472–560 pixels, 40–120 KB)
Print your completed COVA form (must be signed)
Visit the consulate in person with your printed form + printed photo + passport

Key COVA digital photo specs:

Format: JPEG
Dimensions: 354–420 pixels wide × 472–560 pixels tall
File size: 40–120 KB
Same white background and face requirements apply

The "Photo check failed" bug

COVA sometimes displays "The photo check failed." even when your photo meets all official requirements. This is a known bug that Chinese authorities are aware of. If you see this error:

Continue your application — do not stop
Your photo is still valid — consular officers manually review all photos
The automated checker doesn't determine final acceptance — human review does

Do you still need a printed photo with COVA?

Yes. Even after a successful digital upload on COVA, you must bring a printed 33×48 mm photo to the consulate and attach it to your printed COVA form. Chinese consulates do not take photos on-site.

Bring 2 identical printed photos — one to paste on the form, one as backup in case the form needs to be reprinted.

Where to get 33×48 mm photos in the US

Most US pharmacies only offer 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) format. Your options:

Online services (PixID, Snap2Pass): generate correctly sized 33×48 mm file — print on glossy 4×6 paper at Walmart or any photo lab
Chinese-owned photo studios in major cities: familiar with the exact format and glossy paper requirement
Some larger CVS and Walgreens: a few locations offer international photo sizes — call ahead to confirm 33×48 mm

Chinese consulates in the US by jurisdiction

Consulate	States served
Embassy (Washington DC)	DC, MD, VA, WV, DE, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, TN, KY
Consulate General New York	NY, NJ, CT, PA, ME, VT, NH, MA, RI
Consulate General Chicago	IL, IN, OH, MI, WI, MN, IA, KS, MO, NE, ND, SD
Consulate General Houston	TX, OK, AR, LA
Consulate General Los Angeles	CA-Southern, AZ, CO, UT, NM, NV
Consulate General San Francisco	CA-Northern, OR, WA, AK, ID, MT, WY

Apply at the consulate covering your state of legal residence.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Chinese visa photo?

33 mm wide × 48 mm tall. This is different from the US passport photo (51×51 mm / 2×2 inches) and from most European formats (35×45 mm). Always specify 33×48 mm.

What background for a Chinese visa photo?

Plain white only — not off-white or light grey. Pure white background is required.

Can I use a US 2×2 inch passport photo for a Chinese visa?

No. The 51×51 mm US format is the wrong size for a Chinese visa application. You need 33×48 mm.

What is the COVA system?

The China Online Visa Application system, launched September 30, 2025. All Chinese visa applications in the US now go through COVA. You upload a digital photo online, then still bring a printed 33×48 mm photo to the consulate.

I uploaded my photo to COVA and got "Photo check failed." What do I do?

Continue your application. This is a known bug in the COVA system. Consular officers manually review all photos — if your photo meets the official specifications, it will be accepted during final review.

Can I wear glasses in a Chinese visa photo?

Technically yes, if glasses are not thick-framed, not tinted, and cause no glare with eyes clearly visible. In practice, removing glasses is safer to avoid automated rejection.

Do Chinese consulates take photos on-site?

No. You must bring your own 33×48 mm printed photo. This is different from US passport applications where some post offices and acceptance facilities can take photos on-site.