China visa photo size
Focused guide for China visa photo preparation: China visa photo size. Check the COVA upload screen and the embassy, consulate, or visa center instructions for your actual application route.
Quick answer
- Paper: 33mm wide × 48mm high | Digital: 354 × 472px (some centers mention up to 420 × 560px)
- Head width: 15–22mm, Head height: 28–33mm, Top margin: 3–5mm
- Taken within the last 6 months
China visa photo size: print and COVA use different checks
For a China visa photo, printed submission and COVA digital upload are checked in different units. A printed photo is prepared as a 33mm wide by 48mm high portrait photo, while a COVA-style digital file is checked by pixels, file size, color format, and JPEG encoding.
The photo rectangle is not enough by itself. Face height, head width, and top margin also matter because the photo is used for identity confirmation. Crop the image with the face position in mind, not just the outer frame.
- Printed photo: 33mm wide by 48mm high
- COVA-style file: 354×472px JPEG, usually 40KB-120KB
- Head size and top margin should be checked together with the frame
Why 48mm × 33mm may still mean the same vertical photo
Some official pages write the dimensions as 48mm × 33mm, using height before width. In practice, this refers to the same vertical China visa photo: 33mm wide and 48mm high.
If your application route shows a different value on the COVA screen or a local embassy, consulate, or visa center page, follow that current instruction for your actual submission.
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:
Your head must take up between 60% and 75% of the photo height. Tilted heads are also not allowed.
The COVA digital upload requires a JPEG between 40KB and 120KB at 354 × 472 pixels. The wrong file size or resolution will fail the upload validation.
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 size is a China visa photo?
For paper submissions: 33mm wide × 48mm high. Official pages may list this as '48mm × 33mm' (height × width). For COVA digital uploads: 354 × 472 pixels (standard), with some centers mentioning up to 420 × 560px. Always follow the upload screen or local visa center instructions.
Is China visa photo 33mm × 48mm or 48mm × 33mm?
Both refer to the same photo: 33mm wide and 48mm high. Official Chinese embassy and COVA pages sometimes write '48mm × 33mm', meaning height × width.
Does a China visa photo need to be 354 × 472 pixels?
For COVA online uploads, 354 × 472px is the standard requirement and the safest choice. Some centers mention up to 420 × 560px. Always follow the specific upload screen or local visa center instructions.
Do I need a printed photo or digital upload?
It depends on your application route. COVA online requires a digital upload (JPEG, 354×472px, 40–120KB). Some procedures may also require printed photos. Check the specific embassy, consulate, or visa center instructions.
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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