China passport photo size and requirements

Chinese passport photos use a frame 33 mm wide and 48 mm high on a white background, taken within the last 6 months. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs chart sets a head height of 28–33 mm, a head width of 15–22 mm, a top margin of 3–5 mm and at least 7 mm below the chin. The photo must be unaltered and not a composite.

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Photo size & positioning

China Passport dimension templateFront-facing portrait with width, height, head-height and top-gap dimension arrows. Eye height is shown only when specified for this format.33 mm390 px48 mm567 pxHead height28–33 mm330.7–389.8 pxRequired top gap3–5 mm35.4–59.1 pxHead width: 15–22 mm · manual check
Illustrative template. Head guides estimate visible head height. Check anatomical crown measurements manually.

Photo requirements

Photo size
33 × 48 mm (width × height)
Pixels
390 × 567 px at 300 DPI
Head height
28–33 mm
Head width
15–22 mm; check manually
Margins
3–5 mm above the head; at least 7 mm below the chin
Background
Plain white
Recency
Taken within the last 6 months
Editing
Unaltered, non-composite photo
Digital submission
Separate 30–80 kB file limits; this print frame is not that upload

Photo rules

  • Face the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
  • Keep your whole face visible, with no hair over the eyes.
  • Avoid tinted glasses and glare on lenses; removing glasses is the safer choice.
  • Use even lighting with no shadows on the face or the background.
  • Do not retouch, alter or combine images: the photo must be a single, unaltered shot.
  • Follow your receiving mission’s instructions, which can differ, for example on head width.

Common reasons for rejection

  • Head taller than 33 mm or shorter than 28 mm
  • Head too wide or too narrow for the 15–22 mm range
  • Top margin outside 3–5 mm or too little space below the chin
  • Background that is not plain white
  • Altered or composite image
  • Photo older than 6 months

3 steps with VisaPhoto

  1. 1

    Upload a selfie

    Take a clear, front-facing photo with your phone and upload it.

  2. 2

    Generate and check

    AI creates a portrait in this format; framing and image quality are checked.

  3. 3

    Review and download

    Compare the result with the official rules, then download your JPEG files.

Create my photo

Example

Original selfie 1Reframed photo example 1
Illustrative example in the Schengen 35 × 45 mm frame.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Chinese passport photo?

33 mm wide by 48 mm high, with a head height of 28–33 mm. At 300 DPI that is 390 × 567 pixels.

Can I take my Chinese passport photo with my phone?

A phone selfie can be the starting point in VisaPhoto, but the ministry asks for an unaltered, non-composite photo, and an AI-assisted portrait may not meet that. Ask your receiving mission before using one, or use the template as a size reference.

What background colour is required?

Plain white, with no shadows or pattern.

Can I wear glasses in a Chinese passport photo?

Tinted glasses and glare on lenses are not suitable. Removing glasses avoids most framing and reflection problems; check your mission’s rule if you need to wear them.

Can I use VisaPhoto for a Chinese passport photo?

VisaPhoto creates an AI-assisted portrait sized to the 33 × 48 mm frame and checks its framing and image quality. It does not measure head width and cannot promise acceptance. Because the ministry asks for unaltered photos, compare it with your receiving mission’s rules before you apply.

Official sources

Sources checked on 2026-09-20.