OFFICIAL CONSULAR SPECIFICATION● PHOTO REQUIREMENTS GUIDEChina Visa Photo Requirements: Print Size and Online Uploads
Review China visa photo dimensions, compare printed photos with the active visa-centre upload instructions, and prepare the correct file for your application.
Choose Visa for a visa application. Review your application’s editing rules and the assessment before purchasing a download.
A China visa photo has two sets of checks: the portrait and the file accepted by the application. Keep your visa centre’s upload instructions open while preparing the digital copy. A printed 33×48 mm label cannot establish the file dimensions or byte size.
Who this guide is for
Applicants preparing a Chinese visa photograph. This guide does not replace the separate instructions for Chinese passport renewal.
Key Biometric Specifications
Preparing the photo
Practical preparation tips; use the linked application instructions for requirements.
- Read the photo guidance displayed by the application and note any separate upload instructions. Keep a copy of the page or its URL. If a generic guide and the active form seem inconsistent, resolve that difference before generating the final file.
- Try the planned clothing against the actual background in a test capture. Pale colours can merge under bright lighting even when they look different in the room. Change the physical setup until the shoulder outline is visible without digital enhancement.
- Inspect jewellery and hair accessories for bright reflections. Use the application source to decide what may be worn. When an object is removed for the photo, take a fresh frame rather than painting over it in an editor.
- Check both sides of the face for stray hair and ask the photographer to show the preview. Do not force a pose that turns the head merely to expose one edge; position the hair and camera while keeping the face directed toward the lens.
- Review the exported portrait after closing and reopening it. Confirm that the file is a single image, not a screenshot of the editor with controls or borders. Compare its dimensions with the actual upload instructions.
Mandatory Consular Rules
- The linked visa-centre guidance specifies a 33×48 mm photograph, with head width 15–22 mm and chin-to-crown height 28–33 mm.
- Keep a recent colour portrait with a plain white backdrop and clear facial features.
- Check the upload instructions at the centre handling your application: digital dimensions and byte limits can differ from generic diagrams.
- Use the China Visa preset for visa preparation. Chinese passport renewal is a separate application route.
Troubleshooting the photo
A shiny accessory leaves a bright spot near the face
Small reflective surfaces can send a concentrated highlight back toward the lens.
Check the accessory policy and adjust the capture setup accordingly. Retake after any permitted physical change instead of cloning away the highlight.
Top Rejection Pitfalls to Avoid
- Supplying a 2×2-inch US crop instead of the requested China visa deliverable.
- Using an export with the right physical label but the wrong file properties for the portal.
- Relying on instructions from another visa centre without checking the active form.
Check your visa centre’s digital upload instructions
A general diagram can show a digital range while a specific centre’s form asks for a particular export. For example, Manchester’s published FAQ specifies JPEG, 354×472 pixels as its stated upper dimensions, and 40–120 kB. Use the active form for the centre handling your application.
Manchester upload FAQ · Visa photo diagram (PDF)
Reopen the individual image after export and inspect its properties. A print sheet is not the file to upload. If your route requires prints, the print-template tool supports 33×48 mm without changing the aspect ratio.
China photo requirements and document options
Digital and printed copies
A portal preview and a paper proof reveal different issues. Use the file properties for upload checks and a ruler for print checks. Keep an unscaled original so each deliverable can be prepared deliberately.
Questions about this guide
Can I digitally erase a hair clip that reflects the light?
Take another picture after making any change permitted by the application instructions. Erasing an object also changes nearby hair detail and leaves an edited portrait.
Why does my pale shirt disappear only in the photograph?
The exposure and light may make it as bright as the backdrop. Inspect a test capture and change the clothing or lighting before the final shot.
Why does my centre ask for a different upload size from a general photo diagram?
Centres and application systems publish their own upload instructions. Use the centre handling your application and the active upload field, not a remembered preset from another centre.
About this guide
ApprovaVisa editorial team
Reviewed: 2026-10-14
Requirements come from the linked authority source. Where our summary and the authority differ, follow the authority.
Prepare Your China Photo
Check the receiving authority’s instructions before preparing a photo. Use professional photography where required, and retain the original image when digital alterations are prohibited.
Choose Visa for a visa application. Review your application’s editing rules and the assessment before purchasing a download.