China Visa Photo Maker
Create a 33 × 48 mm China visa photo from your own picture. Face detection, cropping and export all run in your browser.
Background: the background must be white or close to white, with no border. The tool does not change the background for this document (the official source does not explicitly allow edited photos), so take the photo against a suitable plain wall.
The photo is too close. Retake it with more space around your head (above the hair, at the sides and down to the shoulders) so it can be cropped to the required size.
Background replacement is off for this document: the official source does not explicitly allow edited photos. Take the photo against a suitable plain wall.
Optional. A one-time download of about 16 MB, then the background is replaced with the required colour on your device. Your photo is not uploaded.
Red line = top of the hair, blue = eyes, green = chin. Drag a line onto the right spot, or use its ▲ ▼ buttons; the crop refits. Drag anywhere else to move the photo. The green band shows where the chin must end, the blue band where the eyes must be.
The tool only checks the size and position of the head. It does not check glasses, expression, background or lighting.
Guide lines are an aid, not a check by any authority. Always compare the result with the official requirements linked below.
China visa photo requirements
| Printed size | 33 × 48 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to top of hair) | Head height 28–33 mm and head width 15–22 mm. The tool checks the height; check the width yourself. |
| Background | White or close to white, with no border |
| Digital file from this tool | Exported at 780 × 1135 px (600 dpi), JPEG |
| Editing | Not mentioned by the official source (background replacement is off) |
| Print sheet from this tool | 9 copies on 4×6 in (10×15 cm), 300 dpi |
Rules from the official source
- Colour photo taken within the last 6 months.
- Face the camera with the entire head and face clearly visible: neutral expression, eyes open, lips closed, ears visible.
- Head tilt no more than 20° left or right and 25° up or down; head centred in the photo.
- Glasses are allowed, except thick-rimmed, tinted or glare glasses.
- Hats or head wear only for religious reasons, without obscuring facial features.
- No shadow on the face; natural tone, not over- or under-exposed, no red eye.
- Background white or close to white, with no edge frame; no everyday-life scenes.
- Printed on glossy photo paper (not matte or plain paper), clean and without creases.
How to use the tool
- Take a front-facing photo in even light against a plain wall, or pick an existing one.
- Upload it. The tool finds your face, eyes and chin, and crops the photo to 33 × 48 mm.
- Check the red line sits on the very top of your hair (not your forehead) and the green line on your chin. Drag a line to correct it; the crop refits automatically.
- When the head position is within range and you have ticked the confirmation box, download the digital photo and/or the 4×6 in print sheet. If the tool says the photo is too close, retake it with more space around your head.
Common mistakes that lead to rejection
- Using a 35 × 45 mm photo. China uses 33 × 48 mm.
- Ears hidden by hair. The rules ask for ears to be visible.
- Thick-rimmed, tinted or reflective glasses.
- Printing on matte or plain paper instead of glossy photo paper.
- A busy background or an everyday-life scene behind you.
- Smiling, raised eyebrows or an open mouth.
- Shadows on the face or on the wall behind you.
- Head too small or too large in the frame. The head is measured from the top of the hair to the chin, not from the forehead.
- Photo taken too close, so the top of the head or the shoulders are cut off.
- Tilted head or looking away from the camera.
- Busy or coloured background instead of a plain wall.
Editing and retouching
Not mentioned by the official source. Source. This tool only offers background replacement where an official source explicitly allows editing.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Chinese visa photo?
The Chinese foreign ministry asks for a 48 × 33 mm colour photo (height × width) with the head 28–33 mm high and 15–22 mm wide, on a white or near-white background.
Can I wear glasses in a Chinese visa photo?
Yes, ordinary glasses are allowed. Thick-rimmed, tinted or glare glasses are not.
What about online applications?
If you apply online or through a visa application service centre, that system can set its own digital file rules. Follow the instructions shown there.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser.
Official source
Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Macao: https://mo.ocmfa.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/wgrzj/bzxz/202304/t20230430_11069126.htm. Page dated . Last verified by us: . Rules can change, so always check the official page before you apply.
PhotoID Ready is independent and not affiliated with any government agency. Whether a photo is accepted is always decided by the issuing authority.