China passport photo size & requirements
Chinese passport and visa photos are 33 x 48 mm with a plain white background and a head height of 28–33 mm.
China uses a non-standard photo size — 33 x 48 mm — for its ordinary passport (普通护照, issued by the National Immigration Administration, NIA). This is different from the 35 x 45 mm common across Europe, and different again from the 2 x 2 inch format used by the US. The head dimensions are also precisely specified: head height must be 28–33 mm and head width must be 15–22 mm, making it one of the few countries to explicitly prescribe the width of the head in the photo. Both ears should be visible where possible.
Chinese passport photos must have a plain white background with even, shadow-free lighting. Glasses are not permitted in Chinese passport photos — this policy has been in effect since 2013 and applies to all ordinary passports. For Chinese visa applications submitted by foreign nationals visiting China (L, M, X, or other visa categories), the China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) specifies the same 33 x 48 mm format. Photos must be in colour; black-and-white photos are not accepted.
- Photo size
- 33 x 48 mm
- Resolution
- 300 DPI
- Head height
- Head height of 28–33 mm; head width 15–22 mm
- Background
- Plain white
China passport photo requirements
- Photo must be 33 x 48 mm.
- Head height of 28–33 mm and head width of 15–22 mm.
- Plain white background.
- Neutral expression, both ears ideally visible, no hair across the eyes.
- No glasses, hats, or jewellery that obscures the face.
- Even lighting with no shadows.
Common reasons China passport photos get rejected
Even a technically correct photo can be turned away for these issues. They come up repeatedly in official rejection notices.
- Glasses in the photo — China banned glasses in passport photos in 2013. Even thin, lightweight frames are rejected. This is the most commonly overlooked rule for Chinese passport applicants.
- Head width outside 15–22 mm — China is one of the few countries to specify a head width range, and profiles or slightly turned poses will exceed the specified width bounds.
- Background that is not pure white — cream, off-white, or any background with a visible shadow gradient will fail the NIA check.
- Hair covering the ears or falling across the face — Chinese passport regulations require both ears to be visible where possible, which is stricter than most other countries.
- Photo with any digital retouching that alters facial features — the NIA biometric system compares the submitted photo to previous records and flags significant changes in apparent facial structure.
- Photo not in colour — black-and-white or greyscale photos are not accepted.
Make your China passport photo
Use our free passport size photo maker — select China from the country list and it will automatically apply the correct size (33 x 48 mm) and background settings for you.
Crop, remove background, and download a compliant China passport photo — free, no signup, no watermark.
Select China in the tool to get the exact 33 x 48 mm preset.
Other countries
United States 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) 
Albania 35 x 45 mm 
Australia 35 x 45 mm 
Brazil 3 x 4 cm (30 x 40 mm); US visa applications use 2 x 2 in 
Canada 50 x 70 mm 
France 35 x 45 mm 
Germany 35 x 45 mm 
Iceland 35 x 45 mm 
India 35 x 45 mm (Indian visa & many applications use 51 x 51 mm / 2 x 2 in) 
Ireland 35 x 45 mm 
Italy 35 x 45 mm 
Japan 35 x 45 mm 
Luxembourg 35 x 45 mm 
Malaysia 35 x 50 mm 
Netherlands 35 x 45 mm 
New Zealand 35 x 45 mm 
Nigeria 35 x 45 mm 
Norway 35 x 45 mm 
Pakistan 35 x 45 mm 
Philippines 35 x 45 mm (Philippine visa applications often use 2 x 2 in) 
Russia 35 x 45 mm 
Saudi Arabia 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) 
Schengen / EU 35 x 45 mm 
Singapore 35 x 45 mm 
South Africa 35 x 45 mm 
South Korea 35 x 45 mm 
Spain 32 x 26 mm (Spanish ID/passport); EU visas use 35 x 45 mm 
Switzerland 35 x 45 mm 
Thailand 35 x 45 mm 
Turkey 50 x 60 mm 
United Arab Emirates 43 x 55 mm 
United Kingdom 35 x 45 mm 
Vietnam 4 x 6 cm (40 x 60 mm)