Chinese visa photo, 33x48 mm

A format that shares nothing with its neighbours

33 mm by 48 mm is not a variant of the 35 mm by 45 mm ICAO standard, it is a genuinely different shape with a taller, narrower ratio. A photo prepared for a Schengen or Indian application cannot be trimmed into it: the aspect ratio differs enough that the head height lands outside the permitted band. Reusing a 35x45 photo is the single most common mistake here.

A file size window, not just a ceiling

Most authorities set only a maximum file size. China sets both a floor of 40 KB and a ceiling of 120 KB. That combination is awkward because a 390 by 567 pixel image of a face on a plain white background compresses extremely efficiently, often landing under 40 KB at perfectly good quality. We handle both ends: quality is searched down to fit 120 KB, and the file is padded if it comes in under 40 KB.

Head width as well as height

The Chinese specification is unusual in constraining head width to 15 mm to 22 mm alongside the 28 mm to 33 mm height. In practice, if the height is correct and the photo was taken from a normal distance rather than at arm's length, the width follows. A close-up selfie distorts the ratio between head width and height enough to matter.

Pure white, and ears visible

The background must be pure white rather than off-white, with no shadow. Hair should be tucked so the face outline and generally both ears are visible. Glasses come off. Turn on background replacement above and pick the white swatch to guarantee the backdrop.