China passport photo rules explained
This format follows the Chinese Embassy in the US passport photo specification. The photo is 33x48 mm (1.3 x 1.89 in), or 390x567 px at 300 DPI as a JPG. It is not the usual 35x45 mm size.
- Head size: 28-33 mm from chin to crown, with a head width of 15-22 mm.
- Position: the crown is 3-5 mm from the top edge, and the chin at least 7 mm from the bottom.
- Background: white, in colour, with no shadows.
- Glasses: untinted glasses only, with no glare.
- Head covering: religious reasons only, with the face fully visible.
How to take it at home with a phone
Face a white or very light wall under soft, even light. Move away from the wall a little so the shadow of your head does not appear on it. Ask someone to take the photo at eye level and look straight into the lens with a relaxed face.
Because the crown must be only 3-5 mm from the top, the crop is tight. Leave extra space in your own frame and let the tool place your head correctly.
What the tool does
The photo is processed in the browser and never uploaded. It is cropped to 33x48 mm, the background is made white and the head size, crown gap and chin gap are checked.
Why China passport photos get rejected
- Using the 35x45 mm format instead of 33x48 mm.
- A head that is too large or too small for the 28-33 mm range.
- A crown more than 5 mm from the top edge, or a chin closer than 7 mm to the bottom edge.
- Tinted glasses or reflections.
- Shadows on the white background.
- A black and white photo instead of colour.
Printing and uploading
The submission is printed and digital, and one copy is listed. In mainland China, photos are usually taken at exit-entry offices or approved studios. For overseas applications, you upload through the China Consular app.
Print at 33x48 mm at 300 DPI on photo paper and check it with a ruler, or use the 390x567 px JPG for the upload. If an authority rejects the photo, you get a full refund.
Printed size and checks
When you print, choose the actual size rather than fit to page, because the 33x48 mm format is narrower than a standard passport photo and a scaled print will be wrong. Measure the head width, which should be 15-22 mm, and confirm the chin gap at the bottom edge. If you need the digital copy, keep the 390x567 px file unchanged.