Chinese Visa Photo Requirements for Applicants

The People’s Republic of China, simply known as China, located in East Asia is an emerging political power with a population of around 1.4 billion. China, being a unified multi-ethnic country, receives hundreds of visa applications daily from which only a few are accepted. If you are planning to apply for a Chinese visa sometime soon then you have come to the right place. Having a visa is one of the requirements for traveling in China. Here, I will be sharing all of the important Chinese visa photo requirements along with some tips and tricks.

If you’re wondering what size a Chinese visa photo is, do not worry. Here, you will find everything that is needed in order to get the correct photo for your visa. Under the instructions provided by the Chinese Embassy in Singapore, all individuals are required to submit one photograph while applying for the Chinese visa. The following requirements of the photograph should be satisfied carefully:

Chinese Visa Photo Requirements

1. The picture should be a color photograph with a white background, taken recently, at least within the last six months.
2. The photograph size should be 48mm x 33mm with the following specifications carefully monitored: width of the head should be 15mm to 22mm and the height of the head should be 28mm to 33mm. Please ensure that the picture size is as described by the Chinese Embassy.
3. While taking the photograph, please face the camera with the complete face and head visible. The facial expression should be neutral with eyes wide open, lips pressed together and ears visible. Head positions should be less than or equal to 20 degrees left or right tilt and should be less than or equal to 25 degrees up or down tilt. There must be no further movement or objects visible within the photograph.
4. All the facial features must be complete and visible with the top of your face focused within the photograph. Eyeglasses are allowed except thick-rimmed, tinted or glare glasses. Hats or any other head wear are solely permissible for non-secular reasons; however, any facial feature must not be obscured.
5. There should be no damages or impurities on the photograph, no permeation, or shadow over the face. The picture should be in a natural tone, not over or under exposed, red-eyed or distorted.
6. The background must be white or off-white, with no edge frame.
7. The quality of the photograph should be clear-cut and high resolution, without any damage, stain, fold or crease.

All the above-mentioned requirements came into effect from 1st December 2016. Please take notice that your visa application may be declined if your picture does not satisfy the mentioned requirements, and each of these responsibilities should be taken care of by yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below I have jotted down some of the most frequently asked questions about Chinese visa photo requirements. I hope these answers will clear up any doubts that you have.

What size is a Chinese visa photo?

The Chinese visa application photograph has specific requirements that all candidates should adapt to. If you submit an improper photograph online, you will be able to replace it with another photograph before the application is processed, otherwise your visa application might be refused. A Chinese passport photograph that is 33mm x 48mm is the one and only acceptable standard size.

• Digital Image: the electronic photograph must meet the requirements of horizontal pixels of approximately 354 to 420 pixels and vertical pixels of approximately 472 to 560 pixels. The photograph must be in JPEG format, within 40KB to 120KB.
• Paper Picture: the paper photograph must be exactly 33mm x 48mm (width x height) or about 1.3 x 1.9 inches; width of the head is 15mm to 22mm, height from chin to top of the head is 28mm to 33mm, and from head to upper edge is between 3mm to 5mm.

Can I use a 2x2 photo for a Chinese visa?

The Chinese visa application photograph size is often 2x2 inches or slightly smaller. Yes, 2x2 inches size is most preferred as long as the requirements for head size are nicely taken care of. Therefore, kindly do not attempt to cut the photograph to adjust the picture in the little box provided on the visa form. The size does not need to be exactly the same; slightly smaller is also acceptable. However, no larger than 2x2 inches.

How do you take a picture for a Chinese visa?

All the Chinese Embassy and Consulate offices do not offer photography services. For the convenience of applicants, some Chinese Visa Application Service Centers provide photo-taking services with minimal charges. You can also get the images taken in a skilled studio as long as the photograph meets all the standard requirements. Please ensure that while taking the photograph you face the camera with the whole head and face visible.

Does Costco do Chinese visa photos?

If you are residing in the United States and wondering whether Costco does Chinese visa photos or not, let me tell you they do. Costco Wholesale Corporation, doing business as Costco, is an American multinational firm that offers a variety of services to its members. Costco also provides Chinese visa compliant photo taking services. There are many Costco stores throughout the country, notably within the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas. Also, if you are applying through a private visa agency, do ask for their advice before getting your photograph taken.

Conclusion

I hope that after carefully going through this article all your queries regarding the Chinese visa application photo requirements are solved. If you still have any queries left, do check them with the official Chinese Embassy and Consulate General websites. Moreover, you can contact a private visa agency to help you with the Chinese visa application procedure.