What the China green card is
The China green card is the common name for the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card (外国人永久居留身份证), the permanent residence document for foreigners in China. It lets the holder live and work in the country without a separate work permit, and the card is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for holders under 18. Every application needs printed photos, and a compliant photo avoids delays in a process that usually takes several months.
China green card photo size explained
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) asks for recent front-facing, bareheaded colour photos in the standard Chinese 2-inch format. Shanghai PSB gives the exact size: 33 mm wide and 48 mm tall, with a face width of at least 18 mm (±1 mm) and the hairline 1.5–2.5 mm below the top edge. The lower crop should show the shirt collar tips or the collarbone. In our template the head is about 31.5 mm from chin to crown, and the print file is made at 600 DPI so the photo stays sharp at this small size.
Background colour by city
Shanghai PSB and the national Exit-Entry Certificate Photography Guide ask for a white background. Beijing accepts white or light blue. A white background is the safe choice for most cities, so our maker sets a plain white background with no shadows or texture.
A print, not an online upload
The photo for the China green card is handed in as a physical print at your Public Security Bureau appointment, so it is not suitable for online submission. The digital photo limits of the Chinese visa system belong to a different document (see our China visa online photo page). Some cities add digital rules: Beijing asks for an electronic photo on CD in addition to two 2-inch prints, and in Shanghai the digital photo must be taken at a designated service station at the Exit-Entry Administration site.
How many photos to bring
The NIA national regulation lists 4 photos. Shanghai and Fujian ask for 2 physical photos, and Beijing for 2 prints plus one electronic photo. The exact count depends on your city, so check your local PSB before you print.
Photo checklist for the China green card
- Correct photo size: 33×48 mm, printed in colour.
- Plain white background with no shadows or patterns.
- Face width at least 18 mm, hairline 1.5–2.5 mm from the top.
- Collar tips or collarbone visible at the bottom.
- Bareheaded, neutral face, eyes open and looking at the camera.
- No heavy frames or lens glare; remove glasses if in doubt.
Applying for permanent residence
Applications go to the municipal Public Security Bureau in the city where you live or invest. Besides the photos you need a valid passport, a health certificate from a designated institution issued within 6 months and an authenticated no-criminal-record certificate. The authorities decide within six months of accepting the application. A card issued to a child under 18 is renewed for a 10-year period when the holder turns 18.
