How should a China visa photo look?
The Chinese format differs from the rest of the world: 33×48 mm portrait, head height 28-33 mm, face width 15-22 mm, pure white background. It is 3 mm taller than the Schengen size; that difference is automatically rejected by Chinese facial recognition systems. The same format applies to the Chinese passport, Q, Z, F, X, L, M, S etc. visa types, residence permit, driving licence and permanent resident card. Hong Kong and Macao SAR passports use a different 40×50 mm size and must not be confused with it.
Regulatory authorities and the recency rule
The standard is set by the Ministry of Public Security. The National Immigration Administration is competent for residence permits and re-entry permits. From 30 September 2025 visa applications abroad are filed digitally through the COVA (China Online Visa Application) system; CVASC appointments still accept a printed copy for individual applications. A six-month recency rule applies to all applications.
Workflow after the shoot
The captured frame is sent to PhotoID Studio. The China 33×48 mm preset is selected; the app detects the face, places head height into the 28-33 mm range and face width into the 15-22 mm range, and produces a 33×48 mm output at 300 DPI. The background is set to pure white. A multi-print layout for 10×15 cm paper is prepared for a CVASC appointment, residence permit or passport renewal. For a COVA digital visa application a JPEG of the appropriate resolution is exported from the same frame.
Capture setup and customer direction
Seat the customer 1.5-2 m in front of a white backdrop with the shoulders parallel to the camera and the chin parallel to the floor. The camera is on a tripod with the lens at eye level. Standard setup: a 50-85 mm portrait lens, f/8, a softbox at 45°, a reflector on the opposite side. The most critical check in the Chinese format is ear visibility: long hair is brushed behind the ears and earring symmetry is verified. Give the cue "mouth completely closed, neutral expression, no teeth showing, look at the centre of the lens". Glasses have been banned since the 2023 update, prescription included; a medical exception is accepted only in a very narrow range with a doctor's note and clear non-reflective lenses. A customer wearing coloured contact lenses is asked to remove them before the shoot.
Rejection reasons at Chinese consulates, CVASC and COVA
• Ears not visible: the most common rejection reason in China; hair or earrings must not cover the ear. • Glasses worn: since the 2023 update all glasses, including prescription ones, are banned. • Coloured contact lenses: they alter the natural eye colour and the facial recognition system rejects the frame. • A smile or visible teeth. • Hair across the forehead or eyebrows. • A background that is not pure white: grey, yellowish or bluish tones are not accepted. • Wrong format: a 35×45 mm Schengen or 51×51 mm US print is rejected. • A hard one-sided shadow on the face or neck. • A frame older than six months. • A hat, scarf or headband.
For studios serving Chinese passport and visa applicants
Studios serving the Chinese worker and student market in Turkey, Germany, the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and Southeast Asia handle Chinese passport renewal and visa applications weekly. The most common mistake abroad is printing the wrong size from a Schengen or US preset. The PhotoID Studio China 33×48 mm preset locks the head and face-width ratios and sets the background to pure white; from the same frame a COVA digital file and a CVASC print come out together.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Chinese passport and visa photo size in millimetres?
33×48 mm (3.3×4.8 cm). The same size is valid for the Chinese passport, the Q, Z, F, X, L, M, S etc. visa types, residence permits and driving licences.
Is the Chinese photo the same as Schengen 35×45?
No. China is 3 mm taller (48 mm). Chinese facial recognition systems automatically reject this difference; a Schengen print cannot be used directly.
Are prescription glasses accepted?
No. Since the 2023 update all glasses, including prescription, are banned for passport and visa applications. A medical exception is accepted only in a very narrow range with a doctor's note and clear non-reflective lenses.
What should I do for a customer wearing coloured contact lenses?
The lenses must be removed before the shoot. Facial recognition systems flag any change to the natural eye colour as a reason to reject the application.
Are Hong Kong and Macao passports also 33×48 mm?
No. Hong Kong and Macao SAR passports use the 40×50 mm format. Do not confuse them with the People's Republic of China passport and visa format.
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