China Visa & Passport Photo Maker (33x48 mm)

Chinese visa and passport photos use a 33×48 mm print on a plain white background with no border. The head must sit inside a narrow band — 28–33 mm from chin to crown — and the online visa form accepts only 354×472 to 420×560 pixel files.

Last updated: November 2026 · Checked against Chinese consular photo requirements.

Get Proper on Google Play Free download · China 33x48 mm preset · white background
Official Specs

Official China Photo Specifications

The printed size and the digital upload limit are separate checks. Both must pass before an application is accepted.

Requirement Details
Printed size 33 mm wide × 48 mm high.
Head width 15–22 mm across the widest part of the head.
Head height 28–33 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Background White, with no border and no frame printed around the image.
Photo age A colour photo taken within the last 6 months.
Pose Full front view of the face, looking straight at the camera.
Digital upload At least 354 × 472 pixels and no more than 420 × 560 pixels.
Colour The photo must be in colour.
The head is more than half the photo. On a 48 mm print, a 28–33 mm head fills most of the frame. Lots of chest or empty space above the hair means the head is too small.
Two Applications

Visa vs Passport: Same Size, Different Application

Chinese visa and ordinary passport photos share one format, so a correctly cropped image can serve both. The route to the authority differs.

For a visa, the photo is tied to a specific application. You either attach a 33×48 mm print to the paper visa application form and submit it at a visa application centre, or upload a digital file while completing the online visa form. The centre reviews the print against the size and background rules, so a photo that looks fine on a phone can still fail if the head is wrong on paper.

A Chinese ordinary passport uses the identical 33×48 mm white-background format, but the application goes through the passport office. If you apply inside mainland China, the local exit-entry administration may ask for a digital photo receipt from an authorised studio. Read the instructions published by the office handling your application before you pay for prints.

Check the route before you print. A visa application centre usually wants prints, while a passport office may want a digital receipt or upload. Make both in one session.
Format

Print or Digital?

The same 33×48 mm crop is used in four places, but each expects a different format and file limit.

Route Format What matters
Visa application form (print) One 33×48 mm print White background, no border, head 28–33 mm from chin to crown. Keep the print clean at the edges.
Online visa form Digital upload Between 354×472 and 420×560 pixels, in colour, taken within the last 6 months.
Passport application Print or local digital receipt Same 33×48 mm white-background format. Inside mainland China, the exit-entry administration may require a receipt from an authorised studio.
Home printing 4×6 inch sheet Six 33×48 mm photos fit on one sheet. Print on photo paper, then cut along the guide lines.
Six per sheet. A 4×6 inch print holds six 33×48 mm photos, enough for a visa form and a spare set for a passport application.
How It Works

Take It at Home

Three steps from a plain wall to a file that meets the 33×48 mm and 354×472 to 420×560 pixel limits.

  1. 1

    Set up against white

    Stand about 1 metre from a plain white wall or a crease-free white sheet. Face a window so the light falls evenly, and have someone hold the camera at eye level.

  2. 2

    Crop to the China preset

    Choose the China 33×48 mm preset in Proper. The app sets the head inside the 28–33 mm band, keeps the background white, and trims the border that home crops often leave.

  3. 3

    Export print and digital

    Export the 4×6 inch sheet for six prints, plus a digital copy between 354×472 and 420×560 pixels for the online visa form.

Rejection Reasons

Why Chinese Visa Photos Get Rejected

Most refused photos fail on one measurable point rather than on the quality of the camera.

Common problem How to fix it
Off-white or grey background A cream or shadowed wall reads as grey in print. Use a clean white surface and light it evenly.
Head too small or too large Recrop until the chin-to-crown distance is 28–33 mm. A head that fills the frame or floats in empty space fails.
Border or frame Do not print a white or black outline. Cut inside the guide line and check that no dark edge remains.
Photo older than 6 months Retake it. The requirement is a colour photo taken within the last 6 months, even when your appearance has not changed.
Shadow on the face or wall Move away from the wall, turn off ceiling spotlights, and face the light. A shadow on the background can look like a grey patch.
Top of the head cropped Leave a small margin above the hair and show the full head from the front. Do not crop into the crown.
Low resolution for the upload Resize to at least 354×472 pixels. Do not upscale a small phone crop, which softens the face.
FAQ

China Visa Photo Questions

What size is a Chinese visa photo?

A Chinese visa photo is 33 mm wide by 48 mm high, printed in colour, with the head 15–22 mm across and 28–33 mm from chin to crown on a plain white background with no border.

What background does a Chinese visa photo need?

The background must be white, with no border or frame. Off-white, cream, grey and patterned walls are common causes of rejection, so use a plain white wall or sheet.

What are the digital requirements for a China visa photo upload?

The digital file must be at least 354 × 472 pixels and no more than 420 × 560 pixels. Upload a colour photo from the last 6 months showing the full face from the front.

How old can my China visa photo be?

The photo must be a colour photo taken within the last 6 months. An older photo, even one that matches the size rules, does not meet the published requirement.

Can I use the same photo for a Chinese visa and a Chinese passport?

The format is the same: 33 × 48 mm, white background, head 28–33 mm. What differs is how you submit it. Visa applications go through the visa application centre or online form, while passport applications go through the passport office.

Can I take a Chinese visa photo at home?

Yes, as long as the result meets the published size, background and head-height rules. Stand in front of a plain white wall, face even daylight, and crop so the head is inside the 28–33 mm range.

Do I need a photo receipt for a Chinese passport application?

If you apply inside mainland China, the local exit-entry administration may ask for a digital photo receipt from an authorised studio. Check the instructions published by your local office before you apply.

What should I wear for a China visa photo?

Wear a top that contrasts with the white background, such as a dark or mid-tone shirt. Avoid white clothing, which can blend in, and keep the neckline visible.

Sources

Official Chinese Sources

These are the consular and government pages we check before each update. Local offices can add their own steps, so confirm the details for the centre or office handling your application.

More Guides

Other Official Photo Sizes

US Passport & Visa

2 × 2 inches with a 25–35 mm head height and no glasses allowed.

Read the guide →

UK Passport

35 × 45 mm with a 29–34 mm head height and a light grey or cream background.

Read the guide →

Schengen Visa

35 × 45 mm with a 32–36 mm head height, accepted across 29 European countries.

Read the guide →

Also available: Canada passport, Australia passport, and baby & infant photo guides.

Ready to create your China visa photo?

Download Proper, choose the China preset, and export a 33×48 mm print with a clean white background.

Download on Google Play