If you need the direct answer first: official Chinese visa photo requirements (as published by CVASC and Chinese consulates) specify one color photo taken within the last 6 months, printed at 48 mm × 33 mm, with a white (or close-to-white) background, and a head size within a defined measurement window. CVASC also states your application may be declined if the photo does not satisfy the requirements.
This guide keeps the rules measurable, shows a quick checklist you can use before you submit, and links the live official pages the requirements come from. If you want a final sanity-check on the whole document pack (not only the photo), start with avoid visa rejection document mistakes, review a structured list like the Schengen visa document checklist, then see how Vidicy works before you upload anything.
| Check | Official requirement (quick read) | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Photo size | 48 mm × 33 mm | CVASC (Sydney): Photo requirements-FAQ |
| Head width | 15 mm to 22 mm | CVASC (Sydney): Photo requirements-FAQ |
| Head height | 28 mm to 33 mm | CVASC (Sydney): Photo requirements-FAQ |
| Head tilt limits | ≤ 20° left/right, ≤ 25° up/down | CVASC (Sydney): Photo requirements-FAQ |
| Background | White (or close to white), no edge frame | CVASC (Sydney): Photo requirements-FAQ |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months | Consulate General of PRC in Los Angeles: Photo Requirements for Visa |
Table of Contents
- Chinese visa photo requirements at a glance
- Official China visa photo size (48×33 mm) + head measurements
- Background, lighting, expression, and head tilt limits
- Glasses, head coverings, and the “allowed only if…” rules
- Common China visa photo mistakes (fast checklist)
- Official sources
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Chinese visa photo requirements at a glance
The safest way to avoid a re-take is to treat the photo like a spec sheet, not like a “passport photo, but close enough.” CVASC’s requirements come down to a few measurable checks:
- Size: 48 mm × 33 mm
- Head width: 15 mm–22 mm
- Head height: 28 mm–33 mm
- Pose: straight-on, neutral expression, eyes open, lips closed, ears visible
- Tilt: ≤ 20° left/right, ≤ 25° up/down
- Background: white (or close to white), clean and uniform, no edge frame
- Recency: taken within the last 6 months
If you only remember one practical rule: measure the head inside the 48×33 frame. A lot of “good” studio photos fail only because the face is scaled incorrectly inside the rectangle.
Official China visa photo size (48×33 mm) + head measurements
According to CVASC’s photo requirements, the Chinese visa photo size is 48 mm × 33 mm, and the head must fit these bounds:
- Head width: 15 mm to 22 mm
- Head height: 28 mm to 33 mm
The easiest way to brief a photographer (or to self-check a DIY photo) is to use a measurement diagram.
Why this matters: studios can print the correct outer size while still scaling your face too small or too large inside the frame. That’s one of the fastest ways to fail the spec without realizing it.
Background, lighting, expression, and head tilt limits
CVASC’s requirements emphasize that the photo must be easy to identify and free of technical issues. The key constraints to follow precisely:
- Background: white (or close to white) and uniform (no texture, no scenery, no edge frame)
- Lighting: no shadows on the face; not overexposed or underexposed
- Expression: neutral, eyes open, lips closed, ears visible
- Head tilt limits: CVASC caps head tilt to ≤20° left/right and ≤25° up/down
- Print quality: no damage/impurities; natural tone; no red-eye; no distortion
If you’re taking the photo yourself, validate these items before you upload or print anything. It’s far easier to retake now than after an appointment is booked or your application is already in review.
Glasses, head coverings, and the “allowed only if…” rules
This is where applicants often lose time. CVASC allows some things, but only within narrow boundaries:
- Eyeglasses: allowed except thick-rimmed, tinted, or glare glasses (eyes must be clearly visible).
- Head coverings: only permitted for religious reasons, and facial features must not be obscured.
On editing, treat “don’t edit” as: don’t retouch in a way that changes identity signals or hides technical problems. If the background is grey or there’s a shadow, the safe fix is usually retake with better lighting and a proper background, not aggressive editing.
If you want to reduce avoidable issues beyond the photo, the fastest companion read is how to catch the hidden document errors that reject visa applications.
Common China visa photo mistakes (fast checklist)
Most failures happen because applicants assume “visa photo” rules are interchangeable across countries. Use this as a pre-submit checklist.
| Mistake | Why it fails | Safer fix |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong size | China visa photos are 48 mm × 33 mm | Print/resize to the official size and re-check head measurements |
| Face scaled wrong in-frame | Head must be 15–22 mm wide and 28–33 mm high | Measure on the final output (not just a camera preview) |
| Background not truly white | CVASC requires white (or close to white) background, no scenery | Retake against a clean white wall/screen with even lighting |
| Head tilt outside limits | CVASC sets hard tilt limits | Retake with the camera level and your head aligned |
| Glasses glare / tinted lenses | Eyes must be visible; no glare/tint | Remove glasses or adjust lighting angle and retake |
| Shadows across face | Shadows are explicitly disallowed | Use soft, front-facing light; avoid overhead-only lighting |
| Photo older than 6 months | Recency is required | Retake close to the application date |
Optional video walkthroughs (non-official)
Official consular pages don’t consistently provide a video. If you prefer a visual walkthrough, these two short videos are useful as practical demos. They are not official government guidance, so use them for framing/process ideas and rely on the official sources for the final numbers:
Related guides
If you're building the rest of the application pack, these companion guides help:
- Visa photo requirements (2026): size, pixels, background
- Visa Application Documents: How to Prepare Them
- Visa Document Mistakes: Hidden Errors That Cause Refusals
Official sources
- China Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC), Sydney — Photo requirements-FAQ
- Consulate General of the PRC in Los Angeles — Photo Requirements for Visa
- Consulate-General of the PRC in Alexandria — “Photo Requirements for Chinese Visa Application” PDF (unacceptable examples)
FAQ
What is the Chinese visa photo size?
CVASC’s photo requirements specify 48 mm × 33 mm. They also specify head measurements (head width 15–22 mm and head height 28–33 mm) inside that frame.
Source: CVASC (Sydney) photo requirements
What head size is required for a Chinese visa photo?
CVASC specifies head width 15–22 mm and head height 28–33 mm within the 48×33 frame. This is the most important measurement pair to verify before printing.
Source: CVASC (Sydney) photo requirements
Can I wear glasses in a Chinese visa photo?
Often yes, but only if your eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare, no tinted lenses, and no thick frames obscuring the eyes. If you can’t remove glare reliably, removing glasses is usually safer.
Source: CVASC (Sydney) photo requirements
What background color is allowed for a Chinese visa photo?
CVASC requires a white (or close to white) background with no edge frame, and it does not accept everyday scenery backgrounds.
Source: CVASC (Sydney) photo requirements
How recent must the photo be?
Official requirements specify the photo must be taken within the last 6 months.
Source: PRC Consulate (Los Angeles) photo requirements
Conclusion
To meet Chinese visa photo requirements, use a recent color photo taken within 6 months, print it at 48 mm × 33 mm, and verify the head measurements (15–22 mm width, 28–33 mm height) on the final output. Keep the background truly white, avoid glare/shadows, and keep tilt within CVASC’s limits.
If you want a final review of your full file (photo + forms + supporting documents) before submitting, create a Vidicy workspace and validate everything as a single package.