Chinese visa photo, 33x48 mm
China uses an uncommon 33 mm by 48 mm format with a 28 mm to 33 mm head height. Online applications add a narrow file size window of 40 KB to 120 KB, so this is one of the fussiest specifications in the world.
Photo format
Head height 28-33 mm
Background: Plain white
Glasses: must be removed
Background
Output
Chinese visa photo uploads must stay under 120 KB. We compress to fit automatically.
Compliance
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Private by design
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Read the full requirement checklistChinese visa photo requirements
The published rules for a 33 x 48 mm China visa photo.
- Chinese visa photos are 33 mm x 48 mm with the head measuring 28 mm to 33 mm.
- The head width must be 15 mm to 22 mm, which is unusually specific.
- Digital uploads must be 354 x 472 to 420 x 560 pixels and 40 KB to 120 KB.
- The background must be pure white and glasses must be removed.
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.
What a reviewer is looking for
One compliant photo, five of the faults that cause most rejections.
Accepted
Neutral expression, even lighting, plain background, head correctly sized and centred.
Shadow on the face
A side light or overhead lamp leaves one side of the face dark. Face a window instead.
Background not plain
A textured, coloured or shadowed wall. Turn on background replacement to fix this.
Glasses causing glare
Reflections hide the eyes. Most countries want glasses removed entirely.
Head tilted
The head must be square to the camera. Use the straighten slider to correct small tilts.
Head too large
The crown is cut off and the head exceeds the allowed millimetre range.
Chinese visa photo questions
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