China visa photo rules explained
The requirements follow the Embassy of China in Costa Rica visa photo requirements, which match the Medan and San Francisco consulates. The print is 33x48 mm (1.3 x 1.89 in) at 300 DPI. The digital photo is a JPG from 354x472 to 420x560 px, between 40 KB and 120 KB.
- Head size: 28-33 mm from chin to crown, with a head width of 15-22 mm.
- Position: crown 3-5 mm from the top, chin at least 7 mm from the bottom.
- Background: white or near-white, with no border.
- Glasses: allowed with no glare, but thick frames and tinted lenses are not allowed.
- Head covering: religious reasons only, with the face fully visible.
The pixel checks
At 354x472 px, the embassy gives pixel measurements: the face width is 205 px plus or minus 14 px, the eye line is at least 256 px from the bottom, and the distance between the eyes is more than 60 px. The tool checks the head against these numbers, so you do not need to measure them yourself.
How to take it at home with a phone
Stand facing a white wall in even light, a step away from it. Have someone hold the phone at eye level, and look straight at the lens with a neutral expression. Avoid thick frames if you can wear thinner ones, and check for reflections.
The crown must be close to the top edge, so leave extra room in your own shot and let the tool place the head.
Processing
The photo is processed in your browser and never uploaded. It is cropped to the right size, the background is made white and the measurements above are checked.
Common reasons for rejection
- Using a 35x45 mm crop in place of 33x48 mm.
- A digital file under 40 KB or over 120 KB.
- A border or shadows around the background.
- Thick frames or tinted lenses.
- A head outside 28-33 mm, or a chin closer than 7 mm to the bottom.
- Eyes too close together in pixels, below 60 px apart.
Printing and uploading
The submission is printed and digital, with one copy listed. For a print, use 33x48 mm at 300 DPI and check it with a ruler. For online use, download the JPG within 354x472 to 420x560 px.
If an authority rejects the photo, you get a full refund.
Why the file limit is strict
The online limit of 40-120 KB is much tighter than for most visa uploads, so a raw phone picture will be too large. Use the file prepared by the tool and do not resave it in another app, which can push the size above 120 KB or below 40 KB. If you also need a print, make it from the 33x48 mm version rather than by resizing the small digital file.