China Passport Photo Requirements 2026

Author Sukhwinder SinghPublished June 15, 2026Reviewed July 2, 2026Spec source NIA / MPS

Chinese ordinary passports (因私普通护照) are issued by the National Immigration Administration (国家移民管理局, NIA) through local public-security exit-entry offices and online appointment systems. The photo spec differs from the more common 35×45 mm ICAO size used across most of Asia and Europe: China uses 33 × 48 mm (width × height), portrait orientation, with a plain white background and strict head-height proportions. This guide covers passport renewal, first-time applications, visa photos for Chinese consulates abroad, and the digital upload requirements on the NIA online portal.

Spec in one line: 33×48 mm, plain white background, head 28–33 mm chin to crown, no glasses, neutral expression, recent photo within 6 months.
Passport photo frame showing head height measurement guides
China uses a taller 33×48 mm frame than the standard 35×45 mm. Pick the China preset in the maker so crop and head guides match.

1. Exact dimensions

  • Print size: 33 × 48 mm (portrait).
  • Head height (chin to crown): 28–33 mm within the frame.
  • Face width: approximately 15–22 mm.
  • Digital upload: JPEG, typically 390×567 to 413×531 pixels at 300 DPI depending on portal version.
  • File size: 40 KB to 120 KB on most NIA online forms (check the current portal limit).
  • Background: pure white (#ffffff). Light grey is not accepted.

The 33×48 mm size is also used for many Chinese visa applications at consulates overseas. If you are applying for a Chinese visa rather than a passport, confirm whether the consulate accepts the same dimensions — most do, but Hong Kong and Macao entry permits sometimes specify 40×50 mm.

2. Background and lighting

NIA guidance requires a plain white background with no shadow, no texture, and no other people or objects visible. Common rejection causes:

  • Off-white or cream walls that read yellow under warm indoor lighting.
  • Shadow cast on the wall behind the subject from overhead-only lighting.
  • Patterned wallpaper, curtains, or door frames in frame.
  • Blue-tinted backgrounds (confused with older ID photo standards).

Stand 60–80 cm in front of a white wall with daylight from a window in front of you. If the background is not clean enough, use the background-removal toggle in our passport photo maker and set the replacement colour to #ffffff.

3. Glasses, expression, and clothing

  • No glasses since 2019 for ordinary passport photos. Prescription and sunglasses are both prohibited.
  • Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight at the camera.
  • No smiling for standard passport photos.
  • Plain dark or light clothing that contrasts with the white background. Avoid all-white shirts.
  • Hair clear of eyes and forehead. Ears do not need to be fully visible (unlike India).
  • Religious head coverings permitted if the full face from chin to forehead is visible.

4. Online application vs in-person submission

Most urban applicants now book appointments through the NIA WeChat mini-program or local exit-entry administration websites. The workflow typically includes:

  1. Fill out the application form online.
  2. Upload a digital photo meeting the 33×48 mm spec.
  3. Book an appointment at the exit-entry office.
  4. Attend in person for identity verification and biometric capture.

The biometric photo taken at the office may override your upload, but non-compliant uploads can block appointment booking or cause document review to fail before you travel to the office.

5. Chinese visa photos (consulate applications abroad)

If you are applying for a Chinese visa at a consulate outside China (L, M, Z, X, and other categories), the photo requirement is usually identical to the passport spec: 33×48 mm, white background, recent photo. The China Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in many countries accepts either printed photos or digital uploads depending on location.

Hong Kong and Macao travel permits issued to mainland residents may specify slightly different dimensions — always read the form for the specific permit type.

6. Common rejection reasons

  1. Wrong dimensions (~24%). Applicants use 35×45 mm because it is the global default.
  2. Background not pure white (~20%).
  3. Glasses worn (~15%).
  4. Head height out of range (~14%).
  5. Low resolution or compression artifacts (~10%).
  6. Smile or mouth open (~8%).
  7. Photo too old (~5%).
  8. Other (~4%).

7. Fees and processing (2026 reference)

  • Ordinary passport fee: ¥120 for adults (10-year validity for eligible applicants).
  • Studio photo in tier-1 cities: ¥30–60 for four prints.
  • Self-printed using this maker: cost of one 4R print at a local lab.
  • Standard processing: 7–10 working days in most cities; expedited where available.

Create your China passport photo

Open the Free Passport Photo Maker, select China from the country preset dropdown. The crop frame switches to 33×48 mm and the head-height guides adjust automatically. Download as JPEG for online upload or PDF for printing at actual size (100% scale).