Take a China visa photo with a phone
Focused guide for China visa photo preparation: Take a China visa photo with a phone. Check the COVA upload screen and the embassy, consulate, or visa center instructions for your actual application route.
Quick answer
- Take a photo in front of a plain white wall with even, natural lighting.
- Adjust your face position using the template overlay guide.
- Check that the background is plain white or near-white, with no shadows on your face or behind you.
- Export the prepared photo as a print layout (33mm × 48mm) and/or a JPEG (354×472px, 40–120KB).
Use a phone, but avoid close self-portraits when possible
A smartphone can work well for a China visa photo, but a close selfie often tilts the face or distorts the proportions. If possible, ask someone else to take the photo from face height.
Stand in front of a plain white wall, leave some space from the wall to reduce shadows, and include enough area around the head and shoulders so the image can be cropped to 33×48mm or 354×472px later.
- Keep the phone at face height
- Leave space around the head and shoulders
- Retake the photo instead of heavily fixing a dark or tilted image
Check the photo in the right order
First check whether the face is straight, the eyes are visible, and the expression is natural. Then check the background, head size, top margin, and file format.
The advantage of phone shooting is that you can retake quickly. A fresh photo in better light is often safer than heavy editing.
Official Source Note
Check the COVA upload screen and the embassy, consulate, or visa center instructions for your actual application route.
This website and application are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by COVA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, any Chinese embassy or consulate, or any visa application center. They do not submit visa applications or guarantee acceptance. Please check the latest official requirements before submitting your application.
Common Mistakes (Reasons for Rejection)
Many visa photo submissions are rejected due to simple errors. Avoid these common mistakes:
Uneven lighting or standing too close to the wall can create shadows. Ensure soft, even lighting with no shadows on the face or behind the head.
Your head must take up between 60% and 75% of the photo height. Tilted heads are also not allowed.
It is safest to keep your forehead, eyebrows, and ears clearly visible. Official guidance from some embassies states that ears should be visible. Avoid letting hair cover your eyes, eyebrows, or face contour.
How the App Helps You Prepare Your Photo
Align your face with the official guide lines to easily meet the strict height and width specifications.
Check whether the background is plain white or near-white, with no shadows. It is safest to take the photo in front of a white wall from the start. If your photo includes a background cleanup feature, use it carefully and verify the final image looks natural.
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.
All image adjustments are processed entirely on your device. Your photos are never sent to a server.
Note: This app is an independent photo formatting tool to assist in preparation. 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.
Check China Visa Photo Requirements Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
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. Head height should be 28–33mm, head width 15–22mm.
What background is required?
Plain white or near-white with no shadows, patterns, or objects. Take the photo in front of a white wall with even lighting.
Should my ears and eyebrows be visible?
Yes, it is safest to keep your forehead, eyebrows, and ears clearly visible. Some official guidance states ears should be visible, so tuck long hair behind your ears. Avoid hair covering the eyes, eyebrows, or face contour.
What are common reasons a China visa photo may be rejected?
Background shadows, hair covering the eyebrows or eyes, glasses with thick frames or glare, white clothing blending into the background, incorrect head dimensions, file size outside 40–120KB, or a photo older than 6 months.
Official Source Note
- COVA - China Online Visa Application photo upload Checked: 2026-06-29
- VisaForChina - Photo requirements FAQ Checked: 2026-06-29
- Consulate-General of China in Los Angeles - Photo Requirements Checked: 2026-06-29
This website and application are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by COVA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, any Chinese embassy or consulate, or any visa application center. They do not submit visa applications or guarantee acceptance. Please check the latest official requirements before submitting your application.
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