Free Chinese Visa Photo Photo Maker

A China visa photo must be 33×48 mm (3.3×4.8 cm). This is the strict spec for both the COVA (Chinese Online Visa Application) digital upload and the printed photo submitted at a Chinese visa center. The size differs from a U.S. passport photo (51×51 mm) — Chinese consulates measure with a ruler and reject anything off by more than 1 mm.

The two most common rejection reasons are background color and head size. China requires pure white — light grey or off-white is rejected. Head size must be exactly 70–80% of photo height (chin to crown), which is taller than U.S. or Schengen specs. Even passport-style photos that look fine to a Western eye get rejected at Chinese visa centers because the face occupies too little of the frame.

Pure white only. The Chinese Embassy explicitly rejects light grey, off-white, beige, or any color cast caused by lighting. Use AI background removal or photograph against a true white wall in even lighting. Shadows behind the head are also a frequent rejection reason — keep the subject 1 meter away from the wall to avoid shadow projection.

No. China updated its visa photo rules in 2016 to prohibit eyeglasses, including prescription glasses. The rule applies to all visa categories including tourist (L), business (M), and work (Z) visas. Sunglasses or tinted lenses are never accepted. Medical-necessity exceptions require a doctor's letter submitted with the application.

Yes — the digital file uploaded to COVA must match the spec of the printed photo brought to the visa center. Both are 33×48 mm proportions with white background. The COVA upload checks for compliance automatically at submission. If COVA rejects your upload, the same photo will fail at the in-person appointment, so fix it before continuing.

No. U.S. passport photos are 51×51 mm (2×2 inches) — different proportions and a different head-size rule than China. Reformat the photo to 33×48 mm with the head occupying 70–80% of the frame. The simplest path: format with a country-specific tool, then either print at home or order a 4×6 with the China-spec photo laid out for cutting.

Within the last 6 months. The Chinese Embassy explicitly checks for recent likeness — if your appearance has changed (hair color, weight, facial hair) since the photo, retake even within the 6-month window. Old photos are a top-3 rejection reason at Chinese visa centers.

No. China requires a neutral expression with mouth closed. A small natural look is fine but no teeth, no smile, no exaggerated expressions. Eyes must be open, looking directly at the camera, and not obscured by hair. The biometric facial-recognition systems used at Chinese border control are calibrated for neutral faces.