China Passport (Online Old Format)
Last updated: June 13, 2026 · Reviewed by Jack Woo, Senior Travel Documents Specialist
Perfect China Passport (Online Old Format) photo in 3 seconds
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Table of contents
Other documents for China
Technical requirements for China Passport (Online Old Format)
| Size | 354 x 472 px |
| Resolution | 1 DPI |
| Background color |
White background
|
Document Details
Intro
Chinese passport photos come in two formats: a physical 33 × 48 mm print for in-person applications, and a digital JPEG for online submissions. This page covers the online old format, a fixed-dimension JPEG used by early iterations of China's online passport portal. It measures 354 × 472 pixels and is for screen upload only (it cannot be printed). Chinese citizens renewing their passport abroad now do so through the 中国领事 (Chinese Consular) mobile app, and the china passport photo online upload step is where applications most often succeed or fail. This guide covers Chinese passport photo requirements for both formats, including the rules on size, background, clothing, and expression that determine acceptance.
Photo requirements at a glance
Physical printed photo
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 33 × 48 mm |
| Head width | 15–22 mm |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 28–33 mm |
| Crown to top edge | 3–5 mm |
| Chin to bottom edge | ≥ 7 mm |
| Background | Plain white |
| Paper finish | Glossy |
| Color mode | Color |
| Recency | Within 6 months |
Digital online upload (old format)
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Pixel dimensions | 354 × 472 px |
| File format | JPEG |
| File size | 40–120 KB |
| Background | White |
| Suitable for | Online submission only |
The online old format is a screen-only specification. China's online application system (shared across visa and passport portals) requires JPEG encoding with a minimum of 354 × 472 pixels and file size 40–120 KB. The official digital passport photo specification page is at cs.mfa.gov.cn, though its numeric specifications are stored as an image rather than text. See Country-specific notes for the file-size uncertainty.
Why these specs matter
Chinese passport photo requirements are governed by the national standard 《出入境证件相片照相指引》 (Photo Guidelines for Border Control Documents), which sets rules for all Chinese travel document photos. Deviation from these values causes rejection at the upload step or at the consulate window before an officer reviews the application on its merits.
For physical prints, the Chinese Embassy in the United States sets the photo at exactly 33 × 48 mm. Head width must be 15–22 mm and head height from chin to crown 28–33 mm. The crown must appear 3–5 mm below the top edge; the chin must have at least 7 mm of clear space to the bottom edge. These margins ensure that automated face-recognition processing can locate and measure the face correctly.
The MFA consular services page adds that prints must be on glossy photo paper, in natural color, with eyes fully open and lips closed. Light-colored clothing is explicitly prohibited because it reduces contrast against the mandatory white background, causing the system to fail edge detection around the head and shoulders.
For digital uploads, China's online application portals require JPEG format with images of at least 354 × 472 pixels and file sizes of 40–120 KB. The 354 × 472-pixel minimum is the floor for the old-format portal. Background must be plain white, with no shadows.
How to take the photo with iShotAPhoto
iShotAPhoto offers a free tool for preparing chinese passport photo online submissions to the old-format portal.
- Open iShotAPhoto and select "China Passport online old format."
- Take or upload a photo with good lighting and a plain white background.
- The AI compliance check validates the image against the dimension, background, and head-positioning requirements for this format.
- Preview and download the formatted JPEG for free.
- For in-person consulate submissions requiring a physical print, iShotAPhoto also offers optional printed delivery to your address.
How to take it yourself with a phone
You can get a clean chinese passport photo at home with careful attention to light and background.
Use diffused daylight. Position yourself near a large window on an overcast day or when the sun is not shining directly through. This produces even, shadow-free lighting across the face, a hard requirement under Chinese passport photo requirements.
Build a white background. Tape a large sheet of white paper or a white bedsheet flat against a wall. Stand close enough that it fills the entire frame behind you. The mandatory white background for overseas consulate submissions must be uniformly white with no visible color variation.
Hold the camera at eye level. Ask someone else to hold the phone, or prop it on a stable surface. The camera should be level with your eyes to avoid perspective distortion that throws off head-height proportions.
Center your face and leave margin above and below. Frame so your full head is visible with clear space above the crown and below the chin. Cutting off the top of the head or placing the face too low in the frame will fail the dimension check.
Keep a neutral expression, eyes open, lips closed. Look directly at the camera lens. The MFA requires eyes fully open and lips naturally closed. Avoid squinting, smiling broadly, or letting your mouth fall open.
Check clothing before shooting. Wear clothing that contrasts with white. White shirts, cream, beige, and other light-colored garments are prohibited by MFA guidelines because they blend into the background.
Common rejection reasons
Shadows on the face or background. The Chinese Embassy lists shadow-free face and background as a core requirement. Shadows usually appear when the subject stands too close to the wall or when a single directional light source is used.
Photo older than 6 months. Embassy guidelines require a photo taken within the past 6 months. Examiners compare submitted photos against existing records; noticeable aging differences trigger rejection.
Wrong file format for digital upload. China's online portals only accept JPEG files. The China online application system rejects PNG, TIFF, HEIC, and WebP formats at the upload step before any content review occurs.
Image too small. Digital photos below the 354 × 472-pixel minimum are rejected at upload. The portal runs a dimension check before face recognition begins.
Non-glossy print paper. Physical submissions must be on glossy photo paper. The Embassy specification is explicit on this point. Regular printer paper or matte finish paper does not meet the standard.
Light-colored clothing. MFA guidelines prohibit light-colored clothing for all Chinese passport photo submissions. Garments that blend into the white background cause automated edge detection to fail.
Eyes closed or mouth open. MFA requirements specify eyes fully open and lips naturally closed. Blinking during the shot, squinting in bright light, or a relaxed open-mouth expression are all grounds for rejection.
Head proportions outside the permitted range. The face must occupy the zone defined by the head-width and head-height limits. A head that fills the frame or sits very small in it fails biometric processing, which expects the face within a specific proportional range relative to the photo dimensions.
How iShotAPhoto compares to other options
There are several ways to get a compliant china passport photo.
| Option | Cost | Time | Approval likelihood | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShotAPhoto | Low | Quick | High when AI check passes | Fully online, no travel |
| Pharmacy or print shop | Moderate | Moderate | Varies by operator's knowledge of China passport spec | Must travel to location |
| Professional photo studio | Premium | Moderate | Highest when studio knows Chinese passport photo requirements | Travel required; appointment often needed |
| Automated passport-photo booth | Low | Quick | Moderate (booths may not apply the old-format pixel dimensions) | Limited locations |
Costs and times vary by region.
Country-specific notes
Online application via 中国领事 app
Chinese citizens abroad apply for Chinese passport renewal through the 中国领事 (Chinese Consular) mobile app. The process requires uploading a digital photo and the current passport's biographical page. The system performs face recognition to verify that the applicant is the passport holder. Payment for the application can be made by WeChat (where available), postal check, or in-person payment at the consulate.
Photo quantity
The MFA consular services page specifies three identical physical photos (一式三张) for applications submitted through the app. The Chinese Embassy in the United States references two photos on its requirements page.
Background color for domestic mainland applications
For applications made at mainland PSB (Public Security Bureau) offices, a government source from Zhongwei City notes that the national travel-document photo standard allows either a white or light-blue background. This latitude is specific to domestic PSB applications. Overseas consulate submissions require a plain white background without exception.
File size: old format vs. current standard
The China online application system's current standard accepts files of 40–120 KB. The old-format portal was associated with a stricter ceiling. The official text specification at cs.mfa.gov.cn stores its numeric limits in an image file not accessible as text, so if your upload is rejected for file size, compress the image and re-submit. The system will report the specific limit at rejection.
Minors
Applicants under 16 require parental consent documentation per MFA guidelines. Photo requirements apply regardless of age: white background, no shadows, eyes open, neutral expression. For very young children who cannot sit upright independently, photograph the child lying on a plain white surface.
Special cases
Religious headwear
No official text source addresses religious headwear specifically for Chinese passports. The underlying rules still apply: the face must be fully visible with no shadows, and all facial features must be clearly distinguishable per Chinese Embassy requirements. Any head covering that casts shadows over the face or obscures facial features would fail under those criteria.
Glasses
The MFA specification requires that eyes be fully visible. Glasses with reflective lenses can obscure or partially block the eyes and create glare that triggers rejection. Removing glasses before taking the photo eliminates that risk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the physical China passport photo size?
Physical Chinese passport photos must be 33 mm wide by 48 mm tall. Head width must be 15–22 mm and head height from chin to crown 28–33 mm, with 3–5 mm above the crown and at least 7 mm below the chin. Photos must be color, on glossy paper, and taken within 6 months. Source: Chinese Embassy.
What are the China passport photo size requirements for the online old format?
The old-format online portal uses a fixed 354 × 472-pixel JPEG. This format is for digital submission only; it has no meaningful print resolution and cannot be used for physical photos. China's online application system requires JPEG format with a minimum of 354 × 472 pixels.
Can I apply for a Chinese passport online and upload a digital photo?
Yes. Chinese citizens abroad can apply through the 中国领事 app by uploading a digital photo and their current passport scan. The system runs face recognition to confirm identity. The china passport online application also supports payment by WeChat (where available), postal check, or in-person at the consulate.
What file format does the China passport online photo upload require?
JPEG is the only accepted format. China's online application portals reject other file formats (PNG, HEIC, WebP, and TIFF) at the upload step.
Why does the China passport online old-format photo show "1 DPI" resolution?
The 1 DPI value is a nominal placeholder. This format is designed solely for uploading to a digital portal; the portal evaluates pixel dimensions, not print resolution. Print resolution is irrelevant because the image is never output to paper from this submission format.
What background color is required for a Chinese passport photo?
Overseas consulate applications require plain white, with no shadows on the background. Embassy guidelines are explicit on this. For domestic mainland PSB applications, the national travel document standard also permits light-blue, but that option does not extend to overseas consulate submissions.
What clothing should I wear for a Chinese passport photo?
MFA guidelines explicitly prohibit light-colored clothing. White, cream, beige, and pale-gray garments merge with the white background and cause automated processing to fail. Wear clothing that contrasts clearly.
How many physical photos do I need for Chinese passport renewal?
This differs by consulate. The MFA consular services page specifies three identical copies; the Chinese Embassy in the United States references two. Verify the exact quantity with your specific consulate before attending.
Does Chinese passport renewal require parental consent for children?
Yes. MFA guidelines require parental consent documentation for applicants under 16. The photo itself must still meet the same technical requirements as an adult photo.
Where can I prepare a Chinese passport photo online for free?
iShotAPhoto prepares chinese passport photo online submissions at no cost, with an AI compliance check and free download. The tool supports the 354 × 472-pixel old format and the physical 33 × 48 mm print size.