Photo for China Visa (Online) for free - China

Technical requirements for China Visa (Online)

Size	354 x 472 px
Resolution	1 DPI
Background color	White background
Official links	https://www.fmprc.gov.cn http://www.china-embassy.or...

Sample photo for China Visa (Online)

Document Details

Intro

The China visa photo size is 33 mm wide by 48 mm tall. Standard passport photo requirements used elsewhere won't satisfy China visa photo requirements: the US 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) format and the European 35×45 mm format are both the wrong size, so photos prepared for other travel documents can't be reused. China visa photo requirements apply to both the image uploaded through the COVA online portal and the physical print submitted at the in-person passport handover step. The COVA portal validates your photo automatically before any consular officer reviews your application. A non-compliant image blocks your submission before it reaches human review.

Photo requirements at a glance

All values below are from the official China visa photo FAQ on visaforchina.cn.

Requirement	Specification
Width	33 mm
Height	48 mm
Head width (cheek to cheek)	15–22 mm
Head height (chin to crown)	28–33 mm
Color	Full color
Recency	Taken within the last 6 months
Background	White or close to white; no edge frame
Expression	Neutral; eyes open; lips closed; ears visible
Head tilt	No more than 20° left/right; no more than 25° up/down
Skin tone and exposure	Natural tone; not overexposed, underexposed, red-eyed, or distorted
Glasses	Permitted if not thick-rimmed, tinted, or glare-producing
Head coverings	Religious reasons only; no facial features may be obscured
Print finish	Glossy photo paper (matte and plain paper explicitly excluded)
Photo condition	No stains, scratches, creases, shadows, permeation, or damage

Digital upload (COVA portal): The COVA portal accepts image files only; PDF and other formats are not accepted. The portal includes a drag-and-crop editing tool that validates your photo automatically after upload. No official Chinese government source specifies a DPI requirement; omit DPI from any compliance checklist.

Why these specs matter

China visa photo requirements are published by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and enforced by the COVA portal before any human review.

The 33 mm × 48 mm physical dimension matches no common Western format. A pharmacist asked for "passport photos" will produce 51×51 mm unless told explicitly to use the Chinese visa size. Correct outer dimensions are not enough on their own: the head must measure 15–22 mm wide (cheek to cheek) and 28–33 mm tall (chin to crown) within that frame. A photo with correct outer dimensions but a face that is too small or too large still fails the head-proportion check.

The white or close-to-white background with no edge frame rule eliminates patterns, colour gradients, and shadows behind the subject. The 6-month recency requirement means the photo must reflect current appearance. The tilt limits of 20° left/right and 25° up/down are checked automatically by the COVA portal. The glossy paper requirement means that plain-paper home printing will fail for the physical copy submitted at the in-person passport handover step.

How to take the photo with iShotAPhoto

Getting your China visa photo online free at iShotAPhoto removes the dimension-mismatch risk. Upload your photo and the tool checks it against China visa photo requirements automatically.

Open the China Visa page on iShotAPhoto.com. The 33 mm × 48 mm format loads by default.
Upload your photo. The AI compliance check validates it against the official specification, including background colour, head dimensions, expression, and tilt.
Review the free preview. If any rule fails, the tool identifies it so you can retake before proceeding.
Download your compliant photo for free. No payment is required for the digital file.
Order printed copies if needed. For the in-person passport submission step, optional print delivery on glossy photo paper is available.

How to take it yourself with a phone

A phone camera and good natural light are enough for a compliant Chinese visa photo. Each step below targets the conditions most likely to trigger COVA rejection.

Find a plain white or off-white background. A white wall or a large sheet of white card both work. Any visible pattern or colour behind you risks an automatic background failure.
Position yourself facing a source of soft natural daylight. The light should illuminate your face evenly from the front. Backlighting, where the window is behind you, casts shadow across your face and onto the background; both are grounds for rejection.
Hold the camera at eye level. A camera angled above or below your eye line changes how your head sits relative to the frame. The official specification permits no more than 20° of left-or-right tilt and no more than 25° of up-or-down tilt.
Face the camera squarely and keep both ears in frame. The required expression is neutral: eyes open, lips closed, no teeth showing. Take several shots so you have a version without a blink or partial smile.
Have a second person hold the phone if possible. A steady angle is easier to maintain when someone else holds the device. If you are alone, prop the phone on a flat surface and use the self-timer.
Check the photo on screen before uploading. Zoom in and confirm: white background clear of shadow, both ears visible, eyes fully open, no glare on glasses lenses. The COVA automated check catches these issues before any consular officer sees the file.

Common rejection reasons

Wrong photo dimensions

The China visa photo size is 33 mm wide by 48 mm tall. A US 2×2 inch photo (51×51 mm) fails COVA validation automatically. Ask explicitly for "Chinese visa size" at any pharmacy or photo centre, not "passport size."

Head outside the permitted proportions

The head width must fall between 15 mm and 22 mm, and head height between 28 mm and 33 mm within the 33×48 mm frame. A photo taken too far back (head too small) or framed too close (head too large) fails this check even when the outer dimensions are correct.

Shadow on the face or background

No shadow, permeation, or impurity may appear on the face or background. Backlighting and overhead indoor lighting are the two most common shadow sources.

Non-neutral expression

The expression must be neutral with eyes open and lips closed. Smiling, frowning, partially closed eyes, any visible teeth, and obscured ears are all rejection grounds.

Glasses violation

Thick-rimmed, tinted, or glare-producing glasses are not permitted. Clear-lensed glasses in minimal frames are acceptable if no glare appears on the lenses. Removing glasses removes that risk.

Head tilt exceeding the limit

The specification allows no more than 20° of left-or-right tilt and no more than 25° of up-or-down tilt. A camera at the wrong angle or an uneven posture are both common causes.

Physical print on the wrong paper

Only glossy finish photo paper is accepted for printed copies. Matte finish paper and plain paper are explicitly excluded. Standard home or office printing fails this requirement.

Photo damage or alteration

No stains, scratches, creases, or damage are permitted anywhere on the photo. Photos that are overexposed, underexposed, red-eyed, or digitally distorted are also rejected.

How iShotAPhoto compares to other options

Where you get your Chinese visa photo affects cost, turnaround, and whether the output is the correct 33×48 mm format on the first attempt. Standard photo services often default to the US or European format unless asked specifically for the Chinese visa size.

Option	Cost	Time	Approval likelihood	Convenience
iShotAPhoto	Low	Quick	High when AI check passes	Fully online; no travel required
Pharmacy or drugstore	Moderate	Moderate	Varies; staff may default to US passport size	Requires travel
Photo studio	Premium	Moderate	Highest when studio knows Chinese visa spec	Requires travel; confirm format in advance
Photo booth	Low	Quick	Varies; most booths use standard formats	Requires finding a compatible booth

Costs and times vary by region.

Country-specific notes

Special cases

Religious head coverings

Religious head coverings are permitted, provided all facial features remain fully visible. The entire face, including forehead, cheeks, and chin, must be unobstructed. Non-religious head coverings are not permitted.

Glasses

Plain glasses with clear lenses are permitted if the frames are not thick-rimmed, the lenses are not tinted, and no glare appears on the lenses. The COVA automated check is particularly strict on lens glare. Taking the photo without glasses removes that risk.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a China visa photo?

The required physical size is 33 mm wide by 48 mm tall. This is not the same as the US 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) passport photo. The head must also measure 15–22 mm wide and 28–33 mm tall (chin to crown) within that frame.

What background colour is required for a China visa photo?

The background must be white or close to white, with no edge frame and no patterns. No shadows are permitted on the face or the background.

Can I wear glasses in a China visa photo?

Plain glasses with clear lenses are allowed if the frames are not thick-rimmed and no glare appears on the lenses. Thick-rimmed, tinted, or glare-producing glasses are not permitted. Removing glasses is the lower-risk option when any of those conditions is uncertain.

What paper must be used for a printed China visa photo?

The photo must be printed on glossy finish photo paper. Matte finish paper and plain paper are explicitly excluded.

What happens if my photo fails the COVA automated check?

If the photo fails validation after multiple upload attempts, you can continue completing the other form sections and bring a standard physical ID photo to the in-person passport submission step at the Embassy or Consulate-General.

How long does a China visa take for US applicants?

For US applicants applying through the Embassy in Washington, regular service takes 4 business days and express service takes 3 business days, both counted from the date of passport submission. At the LA Consulate, express service takes 2–3 business days after physical material submission.

Do US applicants still need hotel bookings and flight tickets for a China tourist visa?

No. Since January 1, 2024, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the United States no longer require round-trip air ticket booking records, hotel reservations, or travel itineraries for tourist (L) visa applicants.

How many sections does the COVA application form have?

The COVA online form has nine sections: Personal information, Type of visa, Work information, Education, Family information, Information on your travel, Information on previous travel, Other information, and Declaration. Once submitted, the form cannot be modified.

Do UK nationals need a visa for China?

Until December 31, 2026, UK nationals can enter China visa-free for stays up to 30 days for tourism, business, family or friend visits, or transit. A visa is required for stays exceeding 30 days, or for paid work, long-term assignments, journalism, or study.