Chinese passport photo: size, rules and how to prepare it
A Chinese passport photo must be 33 × 48 mm (1.3 × 1.89 in), with a white background. You can submit a printed photo or a digital one; check the instructions for your application because pixel and file-size limits are not verified here.[1][2]
Photo size and face position
Make the photo 33 mm wide by 48 mm high (about 1.3 × 1.89 in). The head height must be 28–33 mm, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. Leave 3–5 mm between the top of the head and the top edge of the photo.[2]
No eye height from the bottom of the photo is specified in the verified guidance. The official pages checked specify the physical photo size, but do not confirm pixel dimensions or a maximum file size. Do not guess at these values; follow the upload instructions for your application if you submit a digital image.[1][2]
Background, light and expression
Use a plain white background. Avoid shadows on the background and face, and keep the light even so facial details are clear.[2][3]
Keep your expression natural and your mouth closed. Face the camera and look toward it with your eyes visible. The guidance calls for a natural expression; it does not give a separate numeric eye-position measurement.[2][4]
Glasses and head coverings
Glasses may be worn if the lenses are not colored. The frames must not obscure the eyes or make their outline unclear, and the lenses must not have reflections or shadows.[2]
If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, it must not obscure your face.[2]
Children and babies
For a child's photo, make sure no object or obstruction covers the child. This includes a parent's hand or a toy. The verified guidance gives no separate size or head-position measurements for infants, so use the same stated photo dimensions and check the application instructions for any additional direction.[2][3]
Take the photo at home
Choose a plain white wall and a bright spot with soft, even light. Stand or sit far enough from the wall that your shadow does not fall on it. Ask another person to take the picture if possible; set the camera at eye level and keep it straight, not tilted.
Face the camera directly, keep your head upright, and use a natural expression with your mouth closed. Move hair, glasses, or clothing so they do not hide your eyes or face. For children, remove toys and make sure no hand is holding or covering them in the frame.
Take several pictures, then choose one that is sharp and evenly lit. Crop it to 33 × 48 mm, with a 28–33 mm head height and 3–5 mm from the top of the head to the top edge.[2] The tool above can help crop the image to the stated physical size.
Print or prepare a digital file
Printed and digital submissions are both listed for this passport photo.[1] If you submit a print, the tool above can place the cropped image on a 4 × 6-inch sheet. At a kiosk, choose a 4 × 6-inch print at actual size or 100% scale, and turn off options such as “fit to page” that may resize it. Measure the finished photo to confirm it is 33 × 48 mm.
For a digital submission, use the application portal's stated format and upload limits. The official source pages checked do not confirm a required pixel size or maximum file size, so use the portal's current instructions rather than inventing those values.[1] The National Immigration Administration service guide says the photo must comply with its photo guide.[1]
Common reasons a photo may be refused
A photo may fail the stated rules if it is the wrong physical size, has the wrong head height or top gap, or uses a background other than plain white. Shadows, an unnatural expression, or a closed mouth that is not visible because of poor framing can also conflict with the guidance.[2][4][3]
Colored lenses, frames that cover the eyes, reflections or shadows on glasses, and a head covering that obscures any part of the face can cause problems. For a child, an adult's hand or a toy in the image is an obstruction.[2][3]
Follow the photo guide linked from the National Immigration Administration service page and the instructions for the place where you apply. The authority decides whether to accept the photo.[1]
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Chinese passport photo?
It is 33 × 48 mm (about 1.3 × 1.89 in). Head height is 28–33 mm, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, with a 3–5 mm gap above the head.[2]
Can I wear glasses in a Chinese passport photo?
The guidance says glasses may be worn if the lenses are not colored and the frames do not obscure the eyes or make their outline unclear. The lenses must not have reflections or shadows.[2]