This guide is based on the Chinese government, embassy and visa centre pages listed at the end, checked on 2026-10-14. Tables and worksheets are VisaPilot preparation methods, not an official checklist.
The requirements
From the visa centre notice based on Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructions:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Colour and age | Colour photo taken within the last six months |
| Size | 48 mm high by 33 mm wide |
| Head | Head width 15 to 22 mm; head height 20 to 33 mm |
| Pose | Face the camera, whole head and face visible, head centred; tilt no more than 20 degrees left or right and 25 degrees up or down |
| Expression | Neutral, eyes open, lips closed, ears visible |
| Glasses | Allowed, except thick-rimmed, tinted or glare glasses |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only, and no facial features may be covered |
| Quality | No shadows on the face, natural tone, not over or under exposed, no red eye or distortion |
| Background | White or close to white, no border, no everyday scene |
| Printed photo | Glossy photo paper, no stains, scratches or creases |
Uploading the photo online
In the online application system, you can drag and crop the photo, and the system checks it automatically, according to the US embassy guide. If the photo keeps failing after several attempts, the same guide says you may continue the form and bring a standard ID photo when you submit your passport.
The official pages checked for this guide do not state pixel dimensions or file size limits. Follow the messages shown by the upload tool instead of numbers from third-party sites.
Why photos are rejected
- Background is grey, patterned or shows a room.
- Shadow on the face or behind the head; uneven lighting.
- Head too small or too large in the frame, or not centred.
- Glasses with glare or tinted lenses; hair covering the ears or eyes.
- Smiling with an open mouth, or head tilted.
- A photo older than six months, or a scan of an old printed photo.
Self-check before uploading
Taken within 6 months: [yes / no] Background white or near-white, no border: [yes / no] Head centred, ears visible, eyes open, mouth closed: [yes / no] No glare, tint or thick frames on glasses: [yes / no / no glasses] No shadow on face or background: [yes / no] Passed the online photo check: [yes / no, error message]
Common questions
Can I wear glasses in a China visa photo?
Yes, except thick-rimmed, tinted or glare glasses. Your eyes must be clearly visible.
Is an off-white background acceptable?
The requirement is white or close to white, with no border and no everyday scene behind you.
My photo keeps failing the online upload. What should I do?
Retake it with even lighting and a plain white background. If it still fails after several attempts, the US embassy guide says you can continue the form and bring a standard ID photo when you submit your passport.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last six months.
Official sources and check dates
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center Canberra: Visa photo requirements · 2026-10-14
- Embassy of China in the US: Guidelines for China Online Visa Application · 2026-10-14
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center London: Form and upload issues · 2026-10-14
Official instructions take priority. Requirements differ between embassies, consulates and visa centres, so check the page for the place where you will apply. VisaPilot is an independent document preparation and review service, not affiliated with the Chinese government, embassies or visa centres. This guide does not assess eligibility or predict a decision.
Next step: check your own documents
List the documents you already have and the questions still open, then request a free human check.