China passport photo rules from the National Immigration Administration
China’s passport photo specification is set by the National Immigration Administration for applications filed inside the country and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Department for renewals processed at embassies and consulates abroad. The current rules trace to the electronic passport portrait specification (电子护照人像照片规格要求) issued in 2022, and they are reproduced almost verbatim by every Chinese diplomatic mission that publishes photo guidance. The same 33×48 mm portrait geometry is also applied to PRC travel documents and to visas issued to foreign nationals, which is why the standard appears so consistently across consular pages.
Enforcement is unusually strict. Overseas passport renewals are handled through the 中国领事 (Chinese Consular) mobile app, which runs an aggressive automated pre-screener before a case ever reaches a human officer. The most common rejection causes cited by consulates are obscured ears, hair touching the eyebrows, lips that are not fully closed, and visible jewelry. Visa submissions through the COVA platform face the same rigorous checks. A photo that fails any subject-side rule will be returned, and the application cannot move forward until a compliant image is submitted.
China passport photo requirements
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Immigration Administration set strict subject-side rules for the electronic passport portrait. Missing any of them causes rejection by the Chinese Consular app or counter staff.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionThe face must be relaxed and neutral. Smiling, frowning, raised eyebrows, and any other emotive expression are grounds for rejection.
- Mouth closedLips must be naturally closed with no teeth visible. The Consular app flags even a small parting of the lips.
- Eyes open and forwardBoth eyes must be fully open and looking straight at the camera. Squinting and looking away are not permitted.
- Frontal head positionThe applicant must face the camera directly. Yaw of up to 20 degrees and pitch of up to 25 degrees are the documented tolerances; aim for zero on every axis.
- Shoulders squareShoulders must be level and turned squarely toward the camera. Over-the-shoulder, three-quarter, and profile poses are rejected.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesGlasses are permitted only if the lenses are clear and untinted, the frames are thin, and there is no glare or shadow obscuring the eyes. Removing glasses is the safest course because the Consular app frequently rejects them.
- Tinted and sunglassesSunglasses, tinted lenses, and any colored lenses are prohibited.
- Thick framesHeavy or thick frames that overlap the eyes are not accepted.
- Contact lensesClear prescription contacts are permitted. Cosmetic, colored, and circle lenses that alter the appearance of the iris are prohibited.
Hair
- Eyebrows and eyesHair must not touch or cover the eyebrows or eyes. A single strand resting on an eyebrow is enough to trigger Consular app rejection.
- Forehead visibilityThe forehead must be clearly visible. Bangs that fall across the brow line are not accepted.
- Face contourHair must not cover the outline of the face. Long hair should be tucked behind the ears or pulled back.
- Hair accessoriesClips, bands, ribbons, and large buns that change the shape of the crown are not permitted.
Ears
- Both ears visibleBoth ears must be fully visible in the frame. Hidden ears are one of the most common causes of rejection by Chinese consulates.
- Hearing aidsHearing aids and similar assistive medical devices may be worn.
Headwear
- General ruleHats, caps, and other head coverings are not permitted.
- Religious head coveringsReligious headwear is allowed only when it does not obscure any part of the face from chin to forehead and does not cast shadows. A dark, solid color is required so it contrasts with the white background.
Jewelry & accessories
- EarringsEarrings are not permitted, including small studs.
- NecklacesNecklaces are not permitted.
- Facial piercingsVisible facial piercings are not permitted.
- Headphones and earbudsHeadphones, earbuds, and any device worn on or around the head must be removed.
Cosmetics
- Everyday makeupLight, natural makeup that reflects the applicant’s everyday appearance is acceptable.
- Heavy makeupHeavy contouring, dramatic eyeliner, artificial freckles, and any cosmetics that alter facial structure are not permitted.
- False eyelashesFalse eyelashes are not permitted.
- Facial marksScars, moles, birthmarks, and facial tattoos must remain visible and must not be concealed.
Clothing
- Dark colors requiredClothing must be dark enough to contrast clearly with the white background. White and very light tops cause guaranteed rejection because the silhouette blends into the backdrop.
- UniformsMilitary, police, flight crew, and other uniforms are not permitted unless the photo is for an official duty document.
- Collars and necklinesHigh collars or scarves that cover the jawline or chin are not permitted. Strapless or bare-shouldered appearances are discouraged.
Photo quality
- Red-eyeRed-eye is not permitted. The photo must be retaken rather than digitally corrected.
- Shadows on the faceShadows across the face, under the chin, or beside the nose are grounds for rejection.
- Current appearanceThe photo must be taken within the past six months and must reflect the applicant’s current appearance. Significant changes from surgery, weight change, or gender transition require a new photo.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 30 mm and 33 mm.
- Top margin (from the top of the head to the top edge): 3–5 mm.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame, with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Shoulders must be square to the camera and both visible. No three-quarter angles or rotated torso.
- The full face, from chin to crown, must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
China accepts more than one size — we generate them all.
China publishes more than one acceptable format depending on where you submit your application — domestic passport offices, the official online portal, and regional consulates abroad can each call for a different print or pixel size. We render every variant below from the same source photo, so the head sits at the same physical position across files, and each one arrives in your order email with a clear filename indicating which submission channel it's for.
China Passport 33×48 mm
Primary specChina's recommended print format — accepted at most in-country submissions and the default we render first.
China Passport 354×472 px — online
Digital uploadPixel-exact format required by the official online portal upload.
How recent the photo must be.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Photos for infants and young children.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not publish formal age-based exceptions, but the Consular Department recognizes one practical accommodation for infants who cannot yet sit up.
Infants unable to sit up independently
All standard rules on white background and full face visibility still apply. The MFA permits a practical setup for very young infants.
- Lay the infant flatPlace the infant on a plain white sheet or blanket and photograph from directly above.
- No one else in frameHands, arms, or any part of a parent or caregiver must not appear in the photo.
- No propsPacifiers, toys, bottles, and other objects must be out of frame.
- Expression and gazeA neutral expression and a direct gaze are not strictly enforced for infants. Eyes should be open and the full face visible; infants under 1 year may be accepted with closed eyes when a sleeping pose is unavoidable.
Country-specific details to know.
A few elements of the Chinese spec catch applicants out even when the standard rules are followed.
Consular app AI screening
Overseas passport renewals run through the 中国领事 (Chinese Consular) app, which uses an aggressive AI pre-screener. It rejects photos for a single hair strand touching an eyebrow, an asymmetric collar, lips parted by a millimeter, or a faint shadow under the chin.
Glasses in practice
The published rule allows clear, thin-framed glasses without glare, but the Consular app rejects glasses far more often than it accepts them. Removing glasses for the photo is the reliable choice.
Light blue background exception
A light blue background is accepted only for legacy travel-document and passport-reissue procedures and for visas issued to foreigners. It is never accepted for a standard PRC electronic passport, which requires pure white.
Print finish and copies
Physical submissions must be printed on glossy photographic paper, free of borders, creases, and marks. Standard passport applications require two to three identical copies; legacy travel-document procedures require four.
As easy as snap, upload, done.
You take a quick picture. We do the spec work and tell you immediately if anything needs a retake.
Free to check. You only pay when you keep it.
Print & paper standards.
If you submit a printed photo with a paper application, the print itself has to meet acceptance-facility standards in addition to the rules above.
- Photographic paper with a glossy finish.
- No visible pixels, banding, dithering, or printer artifacts.
- The print must be undamaged: no creases, holes, smudges, staples, or pinholes.
- Do not write on the back of the photo.
- 2 identical prints are required.