Complete 2026 guide to Chinese passport and China visa photo requirements — 33×48mm, pure white background. The same 33×48mm format applies to both Chinese passports and China visa applications. Free tool for instant compliance checking and download.
| Photo Size | 33×48mm (width × height) — same for passport and China visa |
| Background | Pure white (纯白色) — no patterns, shadows, or gradients |
| Head Coverage | Head (chin to crown): 25–35mm within frame; approx. 70–80% of frame |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and looking at camera |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Format | JPEG, minimum 600 DPI for print; 354×516px minimum for digital |
Our free China passport photo tool resizes your photo to the official 33×48mm format required for both Chinese passports and China visa applications at embassies and consulates worldwide. It automatically removes and replaces the background to pure white, checks the head-to-frame ratio, verifies eye visibility, and confirms the image meets the PSB and Chinese embassy photo standards. Upload your photo, adjust the crop, and download a print-ready or digitally compliant JPEG file — no software needed, works on any device.
The People's Republic of China sets specific biometric photograph standards for all identity and travel documents issued under the authority of the Ministry of Public Security (公安部, MPS) and processed through the Exit and Entry Administration (出入境管理局). These standards apply whether you are a Chinese national applying domestically or abroad, and they also govern China visa photo requirements for foreign nationals applying at Chinese diplomatic missions.
The most important and unique feature of China's photo standard is its 33×48mm size. This differs from both the international 35×45mm ICAO standard and the American 2×2 inch (51×51mm) standard. Many generic photo-printing services default to these more common sizes, which will result in rejection. Always specify 33×48mm explicitly when printing, or use the ProShoot.io tool which is pre-configured with these exact dimensions.
The background must be pure white (纯白色). China is strict about this — off-white, cream, light grey, and pastel-tinted backgrounds are all rejected. There must be no shadows on the background, no texture visible, and no objects or furniture visible behind the subject. The boundary between the subject and the background must be clear.
The head (from the bottom of the chin to the top of the crown, including hair) must measure between 25mm and 35mm in the 48mm frame. The face must be centred, looking directly at the camera. Both ears should ideally be visible. The entire face — forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, and chin — must be completely visible with no obstructions from hair, clothing, or accessories.
The expression must be neutral. Smiling, even slightly, is not acceptable for biometric passports. The mouth must be closed, and neither the upper nor lower teeth should be visible. Eyes must be open, looking directly at the camera, and clearly visible. There must be no glare on eyes from glasses — and in fact, glasses are entirely prohibited.
Since 2015, glasses of any type are not permitted in Chinese passport or China visa photos. The MPS standardised this rule as part of the national biometric passport programme. Prescription glasses, reading glasses, fashion frames, coloured lenses, and photochromic lenses must all be removed.
Everyday clothing is acceptable. Uniforms are not permitted unless the applicant wears traditional national dress. Light-coloured clothing that blends with the white background should be avoided — wear a contrasting colour top to ensure a clear boundary between clothing and background. Head coverings are only permitted for verified religious reasons, with the full face visible. Makeup is acceptable if it does not alter the natural facial features in a way that would prevent biometric matching.
Printed photos must be on photo-quality paper at a minimum resolution of 600 DPI (which yields a 780×1134 pixel image at 33×48mm). For digital submissions through government portals, the minimum resolution is 354×516 pixels with no upper file size exceeding 5MB. The file must be in JPEG format. Photos must be in full colour — black and white photos are never accepted.
One of the most convenient and important aspects of China's photo standards is that the same 33×48mm format applies to both Chinese passports and China visa applications. If you are preparing a photo for a Chinese passport renewal and also need a photo for a China visa application on behalf of a family member, both can use identically prepared photos.
Chinese nationals apply for passports at the Public Security Bureau (公安局) Exit and Entry Administration Office within China. The 33×48mm photo is required for all passport types: standard e-passports, temporary travel documents, and diplomatic passports. For e-passport applications, a biometric photo is captured digitally at the PSB office, but a printed 33×48mm photo may still be required for paper application forms.
Foreign nationals applying for a China visa — tourist (L), business (M), work (Z), student (X), or any other category — must submit a 33×48mm photo with their visa application. Photos are submitted to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the applicant's country of residence. The Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) also accepts applications in many countries and requires the same 33×48mm photo standard.
For China visa applications, the photo must be taken against a pure white background, with the full face visible, no glasses, and taken within 6 months. This is identical to the Chinese passport photo standard, making it easy to prepare one batch of photos for multiple purposes.
Chinese nationals living abroad renew their e-passports at the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate. The online pre-registration system (领事直通车, Consul Online) allows applicants to book appointments and submit preliminary information, but the 33×48mm printed photo must still be brought in person. Processing times vary by post: typically 10–15 business days for standard service.
The Chinese national ID card (居民身份证) uses a slightly different photo specification — 26×32mm — and is processed separately by Public Security Bureau offices within China. If you are preparing a photo specifically for the national ID card rather than a passport, ensure you use the correct size. The ProShoot.io tool supports multiple Chinese document sizes.
Chinese embassies and consulates reject thousands of visa and passport photos every month. Here are the eight most common causes — and how to correct each one.
Using 35×45mm or 2×2 inch instead of 33×48mm is an immediate rejection. Fix: always use the ProShoot.io China tool which outputs the exact 33×48mm size.
Off-white or cream backgrounds are rejected. Fix: use background removal in the ProShoot.io tool to guarantee pure white (#FFFFFF).
Head shadow on background is a very common rejection cause at Chinese embassies. Fix: stand 1m+ from background; light the background separately.
Any glasses are prohibited since the 2015 MPS biometric standard update. Fix: remove all eyewear before photographing.
Incorrect crop means head is too small or too large in the 33×48mm frame. Fix: use the tool's head-size gauge to verify before printing.
Outdated photos are rejected. Fix: always retake the photo and keep the dated digital file as evidence of recency.
Plain paper prints are rejected. Fix: print at a photo lab or use a high-quality inkjet with photo paper at 600 DPI.
Even a small smile or open mouth causes biometric matching failure. Fix: relax your face, close your mouth, and breathe normally through your nose.
Finding a service that correctly produces 33×48mm photos can be challenging outside of China, as most photo labs default to the 35×45mm international standard. Here are your main options.
| Option | Cost | Turnaround | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese-Community Photo Studio | $8–$20 / £6–£15 | 15–30 min | Familiar with 33×48mm requirement; guaranteed compliance | Not always available outside major cities with Chinese communities |
| Online Tool (ProShoot.io) | Free | Instant | Exactly 33×48mm; white background; compliance check | Requires good home lighting |
| Generic High-Street Photo Lab | $5–$15 | 10–30 min | Convenient; good print quality | Most do not offer 33×48mm — you must specify or bring a cropped file |
| DIY at Home (no tool) | Free + print cost | Varies | Fully free | Very high rejection risk — 33×48mm is unusual and requires precise cropping |
Important note for applicants outside China: When visiting a high-street photo lab, bring a printed copy of the 33×48mm specification or a pre-cropped digital file. Most labs can print to custom dimensions if provided. If you use the ProShoot.io tool to generate the 33×48mm cropped file, ask the lab to print at its native resolution without further cropping.
Chinese passport applications and renewals follow different pathways depending on whether you are inside or outside China.
Applications are processed at the Exit and Entry Administration (出入境管理局) offices under the local Public Security Bureau (公安局). You will need to bring your current passport (for renewal), your Resident Identity Card (居民身份证), a completed application form, and a printed 33×48mm photo. Biometric data is also captured on-site. Processing takes 10–15 business days in most cities; express 3-day processing is available at higher cost.
Chinese nationals abroad renew their e-passports at the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate. Required documents include the current passport, two printed 33×48mm photos, a completed application form (available at the embassy), and proof of residence abroad. The 领事直通车 online appointment system is used at many posts to manage bookings. Processing times vary significantly: typically 10–20 business days.
Children under 16 require a parent or legal guardian to apply on their behalf. The same 33×48mm photo standard applies, but children under 12 months are generally given leniency for head positioning. For the current fee schedule and required documents, visit your nearest Chinese Embassy or the official MPS portal at mps.gov.cn.
"The 33×48mm size catches people out every time — it's a non-standard size that most apps and photo machines don't support. Always confirm the output dimensions are 33×48mm exactly, not 35×45mm. I've seen embassy rejections purely because the client used the wrong size."— Document photography specialist, London Chinatown
"Chinese consulate staff are specifically trained to identify non-white backgrounds. Even a background that looks white to the eye can register as slightly off-white under strong lighting. I always use a digital white balance tool and confirm the background RGB values are 250+ before printing."— Commercial photographer, San Francisco
"For China visa applications in particular, the photo is scrutinised alongside your application form. Any mismatch between your appearance in the photo and your appearance at the consulate will trigger additional review. Ensure the photo is genuinely recent — within 3 months is safer than relying on the 6-month maximum."— Travel photography professional, Sydney
"Clothing contrast matters more for China photos than for most other countries because of the pure white background requirement. Dark blue, dark green, or black tops photograph best. Avoid white, cream, or very light grey clothing — the shoulder line disappears into the background."— Portrait photographer, Melbourne
"If you need both a Chinese passport photo and a China visa photo for a family member in the same batch, use the same session and produce identical 33×48mm prints. The format is the same — this is genuinely convenient and saves a return trip to the studio."— Family photography specialist, New York
Connect with a ProShoot.io photographer who can deliver a guaranteed-compliant 33×48mm Chinese passport or visa photo.