China Visa Photo Requirements
China visa photos: 33×48 mm paper, the Macau centre's published pixel range and local upload limits — two different shapes enforced at two different steps.
China runs two specs at once: the 33×48 mm paper photo the visa centre checks at the counter, and the pixel window the COVA online application enforces at upload. They’re different shapes — which is the detail most guides miss.
The specs side by side
| Field | Paper photo (counter) | COVA digital upload |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 33×48 mm | 354–420 × 472–560 px (Macau centre’s guide); some current forms cap at 354×472 px |
| Aspect | ≈1:1.45 — tall | ≈3:4 — noticeably wider |
| Head size (crown→chin) | 28–33 mm (58–69%) | same framing, measured on upload |
| File limit | n/a | ~40–120 KB JPEG |
| Background | plain white | plain white |
| Photo age | ≤6 months | ≤6 months |
| Glasses | centre-specific; no glasses safest | centre-specific; no glasses safest |
| Expression | neutral | neutral |
The mismatch, stated plainly. The Macau China visa application centre's photo guide gives a 354–420 × 472–560 px window (354:472 ≈ 3:4), wider than the 33:48 paper ratio (≈1:1.45). Some current CVASC upload FAQs dated 26 August 2026 say the online form cannot exceed 354×472 px, so that is the conservative digital size. The paper size is what the visa officer measures. Satisfying one does not automatically satisfy the other — crop each output for its own spec and follow the limits shown by your centre.
The details that get enforced
- White background, really white. Chinese visa centres are among the strictest on background tone — light grey or cream that passes elsewhere can bounce here.
- Full face visible. Hair off the eyebrows and ears where practical; ears should be visible per the checklist.
- Glasses. Guidance varies by centre: the Macau centre’s photo guide allows clear lenses without glare or heavy frames, while other application pages ask applicants not to wear glasses. Removing them is the safest choice.
- Jewellery and head coverings. No head covering except religious wear that leaves the face fully exposed; large earrings and facial jewellery are flagged.
- Print quality. The paper photo must be a proper photo print — matte or gloss, no inkjet-on-plain-paper.
Sources
SourcePhoto specification published by the Macau Chinese Visa Application Service Center; current online-form FAQ (26 August 2026) caps dimensions at 354×472 px. Centre-specific instructions control the upload.
Related: India’s photo rules by channel · reading spec sheets · spec change log.
Frequently asked questions
Is the China visa photo 33×48 mm or square?
Neither square nor ICAO — the paper photo is 33×48 mm, a taller frame than the 35×45 mm ICAO portrait. The Macau China visa application centre's photo guide gives 354–420 × 472–560 px for digital files, closer to a 3:4 shape than the paper ratio. However, some current online-form FAQs dated 26 August 2026 say uploads cannot exceed 354×472 px; follow your application centre's live form.
Why did COVA accept my upload but the visa centre rejected the print?
Because the digital and paper specs are different shapes. A crop fitted to the 3:4 COVA window doesn't fill a 33×48 mm print correctly — the head lands at a different height. Produce the two outputs separately from the same source photo.
What background does China require?
Plain white — stricter than the 'light' wording used in Europe. Off-white or grey backgrounds that would pass a Schengen counter have been rejected at Chinese visa centres. White, evenly lit, no shadow behind the head.
Are glasses allowed in a China visa photo?
Centre guidance differs: the Macau China visa application centre's photo instructions allow glasses if they are not thick-rimmed or tinted and have no glare, while some application pages say not to wear glasses. Removing them is the safest choice; follow your centre's checklist.