China visa photo size and requirements for the digital upload

For the digital China visa application, the ministry’s photo sheet asks for a JPEG between 354 × 472 and 420 × 560 pixels, 40–120 kB, on a plain white background. At 354 × 472 pixels it also sets face width, top space and eye position in pixels. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs directs applicants to the visa portal or receiving mission for the final photo requirements.

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Photo size & positioning

China Visa dimension templateFront-facing portrait with width, height, head-height and top-gap dimension arrows. Eye height is shown only when specified for this format.354 pxExport width472 pxHeightComposition onlyFull head visibleRequired top gap10–70 pxEye height> 256 pxFace width: 191–219 px · manual check
Illustrative template. The head guide is a composition aid. Use the stated framing requirement for the official face measurement.

Photo requirements

Image size
354 × 472 to 420 × 560 px; VisaPhoto exports 354 × 472 px
File
JPEG, 40–120 kB
Face width
191–219 px at 354 × 472; check manually
Top space
10–70 px above the head at 354 × 472
Eye position
Eyes more than 256 px from the bottom; eye separation over 60 px
Background
Plain white
Physical size
None for the digital upload; a printed 33 × 48 mm photo is a separate template
Glasses and expression
Neutral expression, eyes open; no tinted glasses or glare

Photo rules

  • Face the camera with a neutral expression, mouth closed and eyes open.
  • Keep your whole face visible, with no hair covering the eyes.
  • Avoid tinted glasses and glare on lenses; removing glasses is the safer choice.
  • Wear a head covering only for religious or medical reasons, with the full face visible.
  • Use even light with no shadows on the face or the white background.
  • Do not apply filters or retouching that change your appearance.

Common reasons for rejection

  • File outside 40–120 kB or not a JPEG
  • Face too narrow or too wide for the pixel range
  • Too much or too little space above the head
  • Background that is not plain white
  • Shadows or uneven light on the face
  • Blurry, dark or low-resolution image

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.

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Example

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

Frequently asked questions

What size is a China visa photo?

The digital photo is a JPEG between 354 × 472 and 420 × 560 pixels, 40–120 kB. VisaPhoto exports 354 × 472 pixels. A printed photo uses a separate 33 × 48 mm template.

Can I take my China visa photo with my phone?

You can upload a clear phone selfie to VisaPhoto, taken face-on in even light without filters. VisaPhoto creates a portrait on a plain white background and sizes it for the digital upload.

What background colour is required?

Plain white, with no shadows or pattern.

Can I wear glasses in a China visa photo?

Tinted glasses and glare are not suitable. If you wear clear glasses, your eyes must be fully visible; removing them avoids most problems.

Does VisaPhoto check every China visa rule?

No. VisaPhoto creates an AI-assisted portrait and checks framing and image quality, but it does not measure face width and cannot promise acceptance. Compare the file with the portal or mission rules before you apply.

Official sources

Sources checked on 2026-09-20.