China Visa Application Photo Requirements: Latest and Detailed 2024

Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on May 8, 2024:

1. Breaking News! 15 days visa free for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg has been extended until December 31, 2025.

2. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 144-hour transit visa-free.

3. China - Georgia Mutual Exemption of Visa, starting from May 28, 2024.

4. 15 Days Visa Exemption Policy is newly available for Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Read more »

5. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.

6. 15 Days Visa Exemption Policy is now available for other 6 countries including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. Read more »

7. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.

8. Starting from 00:00 on November 1, 2023, individuals entering or exiting the country are exempt from filling out the "People's Republic of China Health Declaration Card for Entry/Exit."

9. Norway has become the 54th country whose passport holders can transit without visa up to 72/144 hours in China.

10. Starting from August 30, 2023, individuals traveling to China will no longer be required to undergo pre-entry COVID-19 nucleic acid or antigen testing.

11. U.S. citizens holding multi-year multiple-entry visas issued before March 28, 2020, whose visas temporarily lost entry functionality between March 28, 2020, and March 14, 2023, due to the pandemic, are eligible to apply for compensation. Those who choose to apply for compensation will receive a free 3-year multiple-entry visa. Those who choose to waive the compensation can apply for a new 10-year multiple-entry visa at the regular fee.

China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!

Invitation letter is a vital document for Chinese visa application. If you travel with us, we will not only create a valuable tour for you, but also provide you an invitation letter if you request, which will help you obtain your visa successfully. Start customizing your tour in China now!

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Just as important as a valid passport and China Visa Application Form, 2 qualified photos are also the basic requirement to apply for a visa for China. Applicants can upload a recent white color passport photo while filling in the visa application form online, or paste the photo on the paper application form. If the photo does not meet requirements, the application will not be processed by the Chinese Embassy and Consulates. Applicants must submit a recently-taken colour passport photo (bare-head, full face) against a white background attached on the visa application form. Check more details in the following guide to ensure you get a appropriate photo taken.

Photo Requirements for Chinese Visa Application

China Visa Photo (Sample from Chinese Embassy and Consulate General)

Basic Requirements

1. Color: a color (RGB 24bit true color) photo, any black and white photo is not accepted.

2. Background: can only use white and off-white background

3. Size: 33mm×48mm for paper photo.

4. Date: recent photo taken in last 6 months.

5. Quality: a clear-cut photo in high resolution, without any damage, stain, fold creases, and no shadows over face or in background.

6. Format: photos must be JPEG image, within size of 40 KB - 120 KB.

7. Others: the photos should present the front view of applicants, show the full facial features clearly and completely. Head should be horizontally centered with certain distance to the upper and bottom edge.

China Visa Photo Size

The China Visa Application Photo has specific size requirements applicants must obey. If you submit an improper photo online, you can replace with a new photo before the application is processed, otherwise, your visa application may be refused. What is the exact photo size for China Visa? A Chinese passport photo (33mm×48mm) is the one and only acceptable standard.

● Digital Photo: the electronic photo should meet requirements of horizontal pixels: 354 - 420 pixels and vertical pixels: 472 - 560 pixels.

● Paper Photo: the printed photo should be 33mm×48mm (width×height)/about 1.3×1.9 inches, head width is 15mm-22mm, height (chin to top of head) is 28mm-33mm, head to upper edge is between 3mm-5mm.

Notes: 1.) The Hong Kong Visa Application Photo should between 50mm×40mm and 55mm×45mm. 2.) The Macau Visa Application Photo is required be 1.5-inch photo. 3.) You can check more official requirements on China Visa Application Photo in https://www.visaforchina.org/SGP_EN/generalinformation/news/282849.shtml, or click here to download a detailed photo sample as instruction.

Restrictions & Prohibitions of China Visa Application Photo

1. Selfies and photos used with filters, blurred picture, over-exposed or under-exposed photos are not accepted.

2. Eyeglasses are acceptable if only they are clearly show the eyes, not reflecting. Don’t wear sunglasses.

3. Make your face square to the camera, keep a neutral facial expression with mouth closed, no frowning or smiling.

4. Better wear clothes in dark colors, or other colors clearly distinguished from the white background. Prohibit wearing white, or close to white clothing.

5. Jewelries, accessories, headphones, and similar devices are not allowed.

6. Normal applicants can not wear hat, head covering and mask. For some religious or medical custom, applicants are allowed to wear those, but the faces (facial features) must be visible without any shadows.

More FAQs & Tips about China Visa Application Photo

1. When and Where to use the photo?

Whiling filling in the China Visa Application Form online, either through the Chinese Embassy and Consulates or the China Visa Application Service Center (https://www.visaforchina.org/), you can firstly upload a digital photo, download and print it out with the completed application form. If you failed to upload the photo, bring 2 qualified paper photos, one to paste on the form when you submit at the visa office of the embassy or service center.

2. Where to take Chinese Visa photo?

All the Chinese Embassy and Consulates offices do NOT provide photo service. For convenience of application, some China Visa Application Service Centers offer photo-taking service with charges. You can take photos in a professional studio as long as the photo meets all requirements.

3. Can I Use a 2×2 photo or passport photo for Chinese Visa?

For US passport holders, a 2×2 inches passport photo is the most common size, and most shop only offer photos in such size. However, Chinese Visa Application has strict photo size requirements. The standard US passport photo is larger than required size. It’s strongly suggested to tell the photographer the size clearly, or use the photo service in the China Visa Application Service Center for safe.

4. What is the Chinese Visa photo requirements for Indians?

The mentioned China Visa Application photo requirements apply to all applicants in the word. Indians, and citizens from US, UK, Canada, Australia and other countries should submit photos with the same standard.

How to Get a Visa for China - Chinese Visa Application Guide

❶ Find out what kind of visa you need

Read different types of Chinese Visa to figure out which kind of visa you should apply for. Determine if you are suitable applicants for each visa type, by judging your purpose of visiting is for travel, business, work, transit, family reunion and etc or not. China Tourist Visa (L Visa) is for visitor going to China for tourism, F Visa is for exchanges, study tour, Business Visa (M Visa) is for commercial and trade, Student Visa (X Visa) is for studying in China. More Chinese Visa Types >>

❷ Apply for a Chinese Visa

According to various visa policy, applicants meet relevant requirements can submit China Visa application at Chinese Embassy, Diplomatic and Consular Missions or special ports of entry. You need to prepare and submit your valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity and blank pages, copy of passport’s first page, completed visa application form pasted with a recent photo (color photo with white background, taken within past 6 months, size: 48mmx33mm), sufficient visa fee and service charge and other supporting documents.

❸ Collect & check your China visa

The processing time differs from visa types. Normally, it takes about 4 to 5 business days for applicant to get a China Visa, and the accurate collection date will be noted on the pick-up slip. If you submit China Tourist Visa (L Visa) on Monday, you can pick up on Thursday. Check carefully the visa type, duration of stay, number of entries if they are issued correctly or not, after getting your passport back. Double check the validity when you plan to enter China, otherwise you will be denied entry.

You can visit How to Get a Visa for China: China Visa Applivation to know more about the visa requirements, processes, costs and useful tips.

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