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China Visa Photo

Create China visa photo files for COVA-style submission

Based on COVA photo requirements, the app helps you prepare a 33mm wide × 48mm high submission photo on your iPhone. Save a print layout and a JPEG formatted for COVA-style upload requirements (354×472px, 40–120KB) from the same adjustment. This app is an independent photo formatting tool. It is not affiliated with COVA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, any Chinese embassy or consulate, or any visa application center. It does not submit visa applications or guarantee acceptance.

Download on the App Store

Key features

33mm wide × 48mm high guidance

Face positioning guidance helps you frame a submission photo for China visa applications (COVA). Head width, height, and top margin are aligned to official specifications.

Two save options

Save a print-ready layout (33mm × 48mm) and a JPEG formatted for COVA-style upload requirements from the same edit result.

Convenience store printing

Export a 4×6 inch print layout and review store-specific printing steps before uploading it to each service.

On-device processing

Photo import, face detection, adjustments, and export stay on your iPhone. Photo contents are not sent to the developer server.

JPEG for COVA-style upload

Export a 354×472px JPEG between 40KB and 120KB, formatted for COVA-style digital upload requirements. Final acceptance depends on the COVA upload check, visa center, embassy or consulate.

Pre-submission checks

The app reminds you to review basics such as recency, white background, no hat, and overall clarity before submission.

Pricing

Export plan

$4.99

One export

  • Print-ready layout (33mm × 48mm)
  • JPEG for COVA-style upload (354×472px, 40–120KB)
  • 180-day re-export support

Photo checklist

A photo can be rejected even if it is only slightly outside the official requirements. Please check the points below before you save or submit it.

  • Use a 33mm wide × 48mm high photo with only the applicant in the frame.
  • Use a photo taken within the last 6 months. Face the camera and do not wear a hat (religious headwear exceptions may apply).
  • Use a plain white or near-white background with no shadows. It is safest to take the photo in front of a white wall.
  • Make sure your full face and eyes are clearly visible. Avoid masks, hair covering the eyes or eyebrows, and glasses with thick frames, dark lenses, or glare.
  • Do not use beauty filters, strong retouching, or mirrored images that change how you look.

Size and OK examples

These are the official size requirements and acceptable sample photos. Keep the face position and margins close to this balance.

Paper photo specifications (33mm × 48mm)
Paper photo dimensions (33mm × 48mm)
Digital photo specifications (354px × 472px)
Digital photo dimensions (354px × 472px)

Source: COVA (China Online Visa Application) photo requirements

Examples that are OK

The person faces forward, the background is white, and the face is clear.

Acceptable photo example 1
Forward-facing with a white background.
Acceptable photo example 2
The face is clear and there is no strong shadow.

Common examples that are not OK

These are common reasons a photo may be rejected.

Off-center photo
The face is too far from the center.
Photo with shadow on the background
A background shadow makes the outline harder to see.
Side-facing photo
Use a photo where the applicant faces the camera.
Tilted face or body photo
Tilted posture can easily fall outside the required guidelines.
Photo with a mask covering part of the face
Part of the face is hidden by a mask.
Photo with glasses frame over the eyes
Make sure the glasses frame does not overlap the eyes.
Photo with very thick glasses frame
Avoid glasses that make the eye area hard to see.
Photo with glare on glasses
Reflections can make the eye area difficult to see.
Photo with hair covering the eyes
Hair covers the eyes.
Photo with cloth or shadow covering the face
Even when covering is necessary, the face still needs to be clearly visible.
Photo with unnatural expression
Avoid expressions that look very different from your usual appearance.
Photo with background too dark
A dark background can make the outline harder to identify.
Blurred photo
The photo is blurry or shaky.
Photo with shadow on the face
Strong shadows can make facial features harder to confirm.

About editing

COVA considers photos not acceptable if editing makes the eyes look larger, applies strong skin whitening, changes facial parts, removes moles or wrinkles, or mirrors the image. If you print and attach the photo separately, your procedure may also require your name on the back. Some procedures or centers may require information such as your name on the back of printed photos — check the specific embassy, consulate, or visa center instructions.

Official guidance Open COVA (China Online Visa Application)

💡 Check China Visa Photo Requirements Guide

FAQ

What are the China visa photo requirements?

A China visa photo must be 33mm wide × 48mm high for paper submissions, taken within the last 6 months, with the applicant facing forward, no hat, white or near-white plain background, and a clear image with no shadows. The head height (chin to top of head) should be 28–33mm, and the head width should be 15–22mm.

What size is a China visa photo?

For paper submissions, the photo must be 33mm wide × 48mm high. Official embassy pages sometimes list this as '48mm × 33mm', which means 48mm tall and 33mm wide. For online digital uploads via COVA, the standard output is 354 × 472 pixels. Some visa center pages mention ranges up to 420 × 560 pixels; always follow the upload screen or local visa center instructions.

Is China visa photo 33mm × 48mm or 48mm × 33mm?

Both expressions refer to the same photo: 33mm wide and 48mm high. Official Chinese embassy and COVA pages sometimes write '48mm × 33mm', meaning height × width. This app uses '33mm wide × 48mm high' for clarity.

What are the COVA digital photo requirements?

For COVA (China Online Visa Application) digital uploads, the photo must be a JPEG with 24-bit RGB true color, sized 354 × 472 pixels, with a file size between 40KB and 120KB. Some visa center pages mention ranges up to 420 × 560 pixels. 354 × 472px is the safest standard COVA output used by this app.

Does a China visa photo need to be exactly 354 × 472 pixels?

For COVA online application uploads, 354 × 472 pixels is the standard requirement and the default output of this app. Some visa center pages mention ranges up to 420 × 560 pixels. Always follow the upload screen or local visa center instructions. Staying at 354 × 472px is the safest choice.

What file size is required?

The digital photo file for COVA upload must be between 40KB and 120KB in JPEG format. Files smaller than 40KB or larger than 120KB will fail the COVA upload validation.

What background is required?

A plain white or near-white background with no shadows, patterns, or objects. It is safest to take the photo in front of a white wall with even lighting. Even minor shadows behind the head or shoulders can cause rejection.

Can I use background replacement?

The safest approach is to take your photo in front of a plain white or near-white background from the start. If your photo includes a background cleanup feature, use it carefully and verify that the final image looks natural with no visible edge artifacts or shadows. Background replacement does not guarantee acceptance; the COVA upload check or visa center may still reject photos that appear unnaturally edited.

Can I wear glasses?

Glasses are not strictly prohibited, but removing them is strongly recommended because they are one of the most common reasons for rejection. If you wear glasses, use thin frames (not thick or dark-colored), ensure there is no glare on the lenses, and make sure the frames do not cover or overlap the eyes. Eyes must be clearly visible.

Should my ears and eyebrows be visible?

Yes, it is safest to keep your forehead, eyebrows, and ears clearly visible. Official guidance from some embassies states that ears should be visible, so tuck long hair behind your ears. Avoid letting hair cover your eyes, eyebrows, or face contour.

Can I wear white clothes?

Avoid white or very light clothing because it can blend into the white background. Darker clothing provides clearer separation between your face and the background.

Do I need a printed photo or digital upload?

It depends on your application route. COVA online applications require a digital upload (JPEG, 354×472px, 40–120KB). Some procedures may also require a printed photo. Check the specific embassy, consulate, or visa center instructions for your route.

Do I need to write my name on the back of the printed photo?

Some procedures or centers may require information such as your name on the back of printed photos. Check the specific embassy, consulate, or visa center instructions.

Does this app submit my visa application?

No. The app formats and exports a photo file. You must complete and submit your application through the official COVA portal or your local Chinese embassy or consulate.

Is this an official China visa app?

No. This app is an independent photo formatting tool. It is not affiliated with COVA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, any Chinese embassy or consulate, or any visa application center.

Does this app guarantee acceptance?

No. The app helps you prepare a photo file, but it does not guarantee acceptance. The final decision is made by the COVA upload check, the visa center, embassy, or consulate.

Are my photos uploaded to a server?

No. Importing photos, face detection, adjustments, and export all happen on your iPhone. Purchases use Apple's StoreKit, but photo data is not part of payment processing.

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