China visa photo maker
The China visa online form accepts a photo only inside a narrow window: no more than 354 × 472 pixels, and between 40 and 120 KB. The printed photo is an unusual size too, 33 × 48 mm. This page makes both.
- Free, no watermark
- Photo stays on your device
- No retouching
- Rules checked 11 November 2026
China visa photo requirements
| Online form: pixel size | Cannot exceed 354 × 472 pixels |
|---|---|
| Online form: file size | Between 40 KB and 120 KB |
| Online form: format | JPEG |
| Printed photo size | 48 mm high × 33 mm wide |
| Head size (print) | Height 28 to 33 mm, width 15 to 22 mm |
| Background | White or close to white, with no edge frame |
| How recent | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Glasses | Allowed, except thick-rimmed, tinted or glare glasses |
Checked against an official page that restates the rule on 11 November 2026. Source: Chinese Visa Application Service Center (Manchester): Photo requirements · Chinese Visa Application Service Center (Sydney). Rules change without notice, so read the official page before you submit.
What the photo must show
- A colour photo with a neutral expression, eyes open and lips closed.
- Both ears visible.
- The head held straight, facing the camera.
- No shadow over the face, natural skin tone, and no over- or under-exposure, red eye or distortion.
- Head coverings only for religious reasons, and the face must not be hidden.
- A printed photo must be on glossy photo paper, not matte or plain paper.
A minimum as well as a maximum
Most forms only reject files that are too large. This one also rejects files under 40 KB. At 354 × 472 pixels a JPEG can easily fall below that if it is saved at a low quality setting, and above 120 KB if saved at the highest. The download from this page is made at exactly 354 × 472 pixels and the quality is tuned so the file lands inside the 40 to 120 KB window.
If the upload keeps failing
The visa centre's guidance says that if the photo upload fails three times, you can bring a printed photo to the visa centre and staff will upload it for you. Have a 33 × 48 mm print ready in that case. Four of them fit on one 4 × 6 inch photo print from this page.
Not the usual passport size
A 35 × 45 mm photo made for a European or UK document is the wrong shape for a Chinese visa, which is narrower and taller at 33 × 48 mm. The head is also measured differently: 28 to 33 mm high, and 15 to 22 mm wide.
Common problems with China visa photos
- File smaller than 40 KB or larger than 120 KB.
- Image larger than 354 × 472 pixels.
- Hair covering the ears.
- Thick-rimmed or reflecting glasses.
- A 35 × 45 mm or 2 × 2 inch photo used instead of 33 × 48 mm.
- A print on matte or plain paper.
✓ Good: plain background, even light, neutral face
✕ Shadow on the wall and face
✕ Busy background
✕ Glare on glasses
✕ Selfie taken too close
✕ Too dark, orange light
More on this in why ID photos get rejected. The examples use an off-white wall. The background row in the table above gives the exact colour this document asks for.
How to use this tool
- Ask someone to take the photo from about 1.5 m, at eye level, in even daylight in front of a plain wall.
- Add the photo above. The tool finds your face and frames it to the size on this page.
- Check the green lines: one on the top of your head, one on your chin. Drag or zoom to adjust.
- Read the automatic checks, then download. Nothing in the photo is retouched, only cropped and resized.
Questions about the China visa photo
What size is the China visa photo?
The printed photo is 33 mm wide and 48 mm high, with the head 28 to 33 mm high. For the online form, the image cannot exceed 354 × 472 pixels and the file must be between 40 KB and 120 KB.
Can I wear glasses in a China visa photo?
Yes, unless they are thick-rimmed, tinted or cause glare.
Do my ears need to show in a China visa photo?
Yes. The photo standard asks for the ears to be visible, along with eyes open and lips closed.
What if the online form will not accept my photo?
Check the file is a JPEG no larger than 354 × 472 pixels and between 40 and 120 KB. The visa centre says that after three failed uploads you can bring a printed photo and staff will upload it.
Guides for this photo
- Why passport and ID photos get rejectedThe reasons authorities list themselves, and how to avoid each
- How to take a passport photo at homeDistance, light, background and pose, step by step
- Are edited or AI passport photos allowed?What ten authorities say about retouching, filters and AI
- How to print passport photos on 4 × 6 paperHow many fit, the settings to use, and the right paper
- Can I take my own passport photo?Where a home photo is accepted, and where it is not