CHINA PASSPORT PHOTO REQUIREMENTS AT A GLANCE
Follow these key rules to make sure your photo is accepted.
DIMENSIONS
Photo size: 33 × 48 mm
Head size: 28 – 33 mm
FACE POSITION & SIZE
Keep head centered looking straight into the camera. Face height must measure 28 – 33 mm (58–69%).
BACKGROUND
Important Note
Photos must be recent (taken within last 6 months) and accurately represent your current appearance. Pure white background (RGB 250–255), both ears visible, head tilt under 3°, and zero shadows are strictly required.
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China passport photo size requirements: quick reference
The China passport photo size requirement is {SPEC.sizeMmDisplay} — this is sometimes searched as the "China passport picture size," "China passport passport photo size," or "Chinese passport photo specifications," but they all refer to the same official dimensions. Before submitting your application via the COVA online portal or at a Chinese passport application centre, ensure your photo meets every parameter in the table below.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo size (Paper) | 33 × 48 mm (1.3 × 1.89 in) |
| Digital resolution | 390 × 567 px @ 300 DPI |
| Face height | 28 – 33 mm (58–69% of total height) |
| File format & size | JPEG, 100 KB – 200 KB |
| Background colour | White |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses policy | Permitted with thin, non-reflective frames |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Official China passport photo dimensions
Chinese passport photo requirements specify photos must be exactly {SPEC.sizeMmDisplay} ({SPEC.sizePxDisplay} at 300 DPI). Your face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (crown) must occupy between 58% and 69% of the total photo height, which corresponds to exactly {SPEC.faceHeightRange}. The face must be centred within the frame both horizontally and vertically.
While the official Chinese passport photo size is 33 × 48 mm, some Chinese passport application centres (particularly outside mainland China) may accept 35 × 45 mm photos. Always confirm the acceptable dimensions with your local Chinese embassy or passport centre before taking your photo. When in doubt, use the official 33 × 48 mm standard.
China passport photo size in mm, cm, and inches
| Unit | Width | Height | Face height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millimetres (mm) | 33 mm | 48 mm | 28 – 33 mm |
| Centimetres (cm) | 3.3 cm | 4.8 cm | 2.8–3.3 cm |
| Inches (in) | 1.3 in | 1.89 in | 1.10–1.30 in |
| Pixels (px @ 300 DPI) | 390 px | 567 px | 329–391 px |
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Print vs. digital: what changes between paper and online applications?
If you apply online via the COVA portal (China Online Passport Application), you upload a single digital JPEG file (100–200 KB) as part of your application. If you attend an appointment at a Chinese embassy, consulate, or CVASC application centre, you will typically be required to bring one or two identical printed photos (33 × 48 mm). The face position, expression, and background rules are identical for both — only the output format differs.
| Aspect | Print (paper form) | Digital (Online) |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 33 × 48 mm | 390 × 567 px |
| Format | Colour print on photo paper | JPEG (100 KB – 200 KB) |
| Background | White | White |
| Resolution | Min 300 DPI | 390 × 567 px (300 DPI) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | Neutral, mouth closed |
Background requirements for China passport photos
The background must be plain white — pure white (RGB 250–255), not off-white, cream, light grey, or beige. It must be uniform in colour with no shadows, patterns, textures, gradients, or objects visible. The background must clearly contrast with your hair, face, and clothing. This is one of the most common reasons for rejection — even a slightly off-white background will be rejected.
Do not use a background removal tool to digitally replace a coloured wall with white. Chinese passport processing can detect composite images and digital manipulation. Shoot in front of a genuinely pure white surface with even illumination.
Face position, expression, and lighting requirements
Your face must be centred in the frame, looking directly at the camera lens with your head level and upright — keep tilt within ≤3° and turn/pitch within ≤8°. Both ears must be fully visible and unblocked by hair. Forehead and eyebrows must also remain uncovered. Your eyes must be fully open, positioned 55–65% up from the bottom of the photo. Your mouth must be closed with a neutral, relaxed expression — no smile, no frown, no teeth showing.
Lighting must be even and diffused across the entire face. No harsh shadows should appear on your face — including under the chin, beside the nose, or in the eye sockets — or on the white background behind you. Avoid direct flash, which creates harsh highlights, red-eye, and background shadows. Natural window light or two balanced artificial sources on either side of your face produce the most consistent results.
Glasses policy for China passport photos
Glasses are permitted in Chinese passport photos provided the frames are thin and unobtrusive, the lenses are clear without tint, and there is zero glare or reflection covering the eyes. However, thick frames, heavy rims, tinted lenses, or glare reflections are strictly prohibited and will cause biometric rejection. If your glasses create lens glare, remove them before taking the photo.
Contact lenses that do not visibly alter the colour of the iris are acceptable, provided they do not create reflections or otherwise change the natural appearance of the eyes in the photo.
China passport photo checklist: do's and don'ts
Review these requirements carefully before uploading to the COVA portal or attending a Chinese passport centre appointment to avoid delays or rejection.
Do
- Use a plain white background (RGB 250–255) that is evenly lit and free of shadows, patterns, or textures
- Ensure your face is centred, forward-facing, and occupies 58–69% (28–33 mm) of the height from chin to crown
- Pull hair back so both ears are fully visible and not covered
- Position your eyes 55–65% up from the bottom of the frame
- Keep your eyes fully open and looking directly at the camera lens
- Maintain a neutral, relaxed expression with your mouth completely closed
- Use thin-framed, non-reflective glasses if required, ensuring no glare on lenses
- Submit a JPEG file between 100 KB and 200 KB for online COVA submissions
- Include an official letter if submitting a photo with a religious head covering
- Have the photo taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
Don't
- Wear thick, heavy, or dark-framed glasses, or glasses with lens glare/reflections
- Allow hair to obscure your ears, eyebrows, forehead, or facial contours
- Exceed biometric tilt limits (head tilt must be ≤3°, yaw/pitch ≤8°)
- Smile, show teeth, frown, tilt or turn your head, or allow your eyes to be partially closed
- Use a coloured, patterned, textured, or grey background — only pure white (RGB 250–255) is accepted
- Retouch, filter, smooth skin, adjust contrast, or digitally alter the photo (inspected under magnification)
- Submit a scanned photo or a picture of a printed photo
- Upload a JPEG file outside the 100 KB – 200 KB size range to the COVA portal
- Wear non-religious headwear, caps, or fashion accessories
- Use a black-and-white, sepia, or heavily compressed image
How to take a correct China passport photo at home (step-by-step)
Following these six steps will produce a photo that meets Chinese passport requirements for both paper and COVA digital submissions without visiting a professional studio.
Set up a pure white background
Stand or sit in front of a plain white wall or surface with an RGB value between 250 and 255. The background must be pure white with no shadows, patterns, textures, or objects. If you do not have a suitable wall, hang a smooth white sheet without wrinkles.
Set up balanced, diffused lighting
Use natural daylight from a large window or two balanced artificial lights on either side of your face. Soft, even lighting is crucial to achieve a pure white background and prevent shadows under the chin, nose, or behind the head.
Position your head and body correctly
Face the camera directly with your head level and upright — keep tilt within 3° and head turn within 8°. Pull hair back so both ears are fully visible. Position your eyes 55–65% up from the bottom of the frame.
Take the photo
Open your eyes fully and look directly into the lens. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and teeth completely hidden. If wearing glasses, ensure thin frames with zero glare or reflection.
Crop and size the image
Crop to exactly 33 × 48 mm (390 × 567 px at 300 DPI), ensuring the face from chin to crown occupies 58–69% (28–33 mm) of the height. For COVA online submissions, export as a JPEG file between 100 KB and 200 KB.
Check before submitting
Verify the background is pure white (RGB 250–255), both ears are visible, face height is 28–33 mm, head tilt is under 3°, and the JPEG file size is between 100 KB and 200 KB before submitting to COVA or your passport center.
Common China passport photo rejection reasons in 2026
The COVA portal and Chinese passport processing check biometric compliance, image quality, and file specifications. These are the most frequent causes of rejection or requests for new photos.
Incorrect background colour or shadows
China requires a pure white background (RGB 250–255) — not light grey, cream, or off-white. Any shadows, patterns, textures, or non-white backgrounds will lead to immediate rejection. The background must be pure white and completely uniform.
Thick frames, glare, or reflections on glasses
Glasses are permitted only if frames are thin and lenses are completely clear with zero glare or reflection covering the eyes. Heavy frames or tinted lenses cause biometric rejection.
Covered ears or hair blocking facial features
Both ears must be clearly visible in Chinese passport photos. Hair covering the ears, forehead, or eyebrows is a leading cause of biometric rejection.
Non-neutral expression or head position
Smiling, visible teeth, open mouth, head tilt (>3°), or head turn (>8°) are detected by biometric checks. Your head must be upright and straight, facing the camera directly with a neutral expression.
Incorrect face height proportions
The chin-to-crown measurement must occupy 58–69% of the total photo height (28–33 mm). Photos cropped too tight (over 33 mm) or too loose (under 28 mm) are rejected.
File size or resolution out of range
The online COVA submission portal requires JPEG files strictly between 100 KB and 200 KB. Files under 100 KB or over 200 KB will fail upload validation.
Digital retouching or filtering
Photos are inspected under magnification for digital retouching, skin smoothing, background replacement, or filtering. Altered photos are automatically flagged and rejected.
Photo older than 6 months
The photo must be recent (taken within the last 6 months) and reflect your current appearance. Older photos will be rejected during processing.
China passport photo requirements for babies and children
Children of all ages — including newborns — must have their own separate passport photo and cannot share a photo with a parent or guardian. The child must be photographed alone, with no other person, hand, toy, pacifier, chair back, or any other object visible in the frame.
For very young infants who cannot support their own head, lay them on a plain white sheet on a flat surface and photograph from directly above. Ensure the sheet fills the entire background without creases or shadows. For children aged 3 and over, all standard requirements apply: mouth closed, eyes open, neutral expression, plain white background. Some flexibility on expression is extended to very young infants.
Religious head coverings in China passport photos
Religious head coverings are permitted for Chinese passport photo submissions provided they are worn daily for religious reasons and all of the following conditions are met: the covering must be plain material with no patterns or decorations; your full face must remain clearly visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead; both side edges of the face — including both ears — must be visible; and the covering must cast no shadows on your face or the white background.
Fashion hats, caps, beanies, and decorative headwear worn for non-religious or non-medical reasons are not permitted. Medical head coverings may be accepted with an accompanying signed medical certificate.
Official sources
These pages are the authoritative references.
Frequently asked questions: China passport photo 2026
What are the China passport photo size requirements in 2026?
The official China passport photo size requirement is 33 mm wide by 48 mm high (390 × 567 pixels at 300 DPI). Your face from chin to crown must occupy between 58% and 69% of the photo height (28–33 mm). The background must be pure white (RGB 250–255) with no shadows, both ears must be visible, and digital files for COVA uploads must be between 100 KB and 200 KB in JPEG format.
What is the China passport passport photo size?
The China passport photo size is 33 mm wide by 48 mm high (3.3 × 4.8 cm, or 1.30 × 1.89 inches). This is the official biometric dimension required for all Chinese passport applications globally.
What is the China passport photo size in pixels?
At the standard print resolution of 300 DPI, the China passport photo size is 390 × 567 pixels. For digital uploads to the COVA portal, the file must be formatted in JPEG with a file size between 100 KB and 200 KB.
What is the China passport photo size in cm and inches?
The official photo size is 3.3 cm wide by 4.8 cm high. In inches, that is 1.30 inches wide by 1.89 inches high.
What is the chin-to-crown measurement for a China passport photo?
The chin-to-crown measurement is the vertical distance from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head in the photo. For the official 33 × 48 mm China passport photo size, this measurement must fall between 58% and 69% of total photo height — exactly 28 to 33 mm. If your face is smaller or larger than this range, the photo will be rejected.
What is the China passport photo size for Indian applicants?
Indian applicants use the same official China passport photo size as all other nationalities: 33 mm wide by 48 mm high, with a pure white background, neutral expression, and face height of 28–33 mm. Applications via CVASC centres in India require printed photos, while COVA digital uploads require a 100–200 KB JPEG.
What colour must the background be for a China passport photo?
The background must be pure white with an RGB color tolerance between 250 and 255. It must be completely uniform and shadow-free with no patterns, textures, or gradients.
Can I wear glasses in a China passport photo?
Yes, glasses are permitted for China passport photos provided the frames are thin and unobtrusive, the lenses are non-tinted and clear, and there is zero reflection or glare covering the eyes. If your glasses create lens reflection, remove them for the photo.
Can I smile in a China passport photo?
No. You must maintain a neutral expression with your mouth completely closed and teeth hidden. Smiling, frowning, raised eyebrows, head tilt (>3°), and any non-neutral expression will trigger biometric rejection.
How recent must a China passport photo be?
The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must accurately reflect your current appearance.
What is the file size limit for China passport online photo upload?
The COVA (China Online Passport Application) portal requires JPEG files between 100 KB and 200 KB. Files smaller than 100 KB or larger than 200 KB will fail validation.
Does China accept 35 × 45 mm photos?
The official standard is 33 × 48 mm. While some application centres may accept 35 × 45 mm photos as a local exception, it is strongly recommended to use the official 33 × 48 mm specification to guarantee acceptance.
Can I retouch or edit my China passport photo?
No. Any form of digital retouching is strictly prohibited. Photos are inspected under magnification during processing to detect skin smoothing, background replacement, or contrast adjustments.
What should I wear for a China passport photo?
Wear dark or everyday clothing that contrasts clearly with the pure white background. Avoid white or light-coloured tops. Do not wear uniforms or clothing that obscures the face or neck.
Are religious head coverings allowed in a China passport photo?
Yes, provided the head covering is worn daily for religious reasons and accompanied by an official letter. The covering must be plain with no patterns, must not cast shadows on the face, and full facial features from chin to forehead plus both ears must remain visible.
What are the China passport photo requirements for babies and children?
Children of all ages must have their own separate photo. For infants, lay them on a plain white sheet (RGB 250–255) and photograph from directly above. Both ears must be visible and no hands or objects can be present in the photo.
Should a China passport photo be matte or glossy?
For paper submissions, both matte and glossy photo paper are accepted, with semi-matte recommended to prevent fingerprint smudges and glare during consular inspection.
Can I use a photo taken on my phone for a China passport?
Yes, provided the photo meets all biometric rules: pure white background (RGB 250–255), face height of 28–33 mm (58–69%), both ears visible, tilt under 3°, and JPEG file size between 100 KB and 200 KB.
What is COVA and how do I upload my photo?
COVA (China Online Passport Application) is the official online portal for submitting Chinese passport applications. During the application process, you must upload a JPEG photo formatted between 100 KB and 200 KB that passes automated biometric checks.
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