China Passfoto

China Passport Photo Specifications -- Everything You Need to Know

China does not follow the 35x45mm ICAO standard that most countries use. Chinese passport photos measure 33x48mm -- a narrower, taller format that catches many applicants off guard, especially those who have taken passport photos for other countries before. This non-standard dimension is mandated by the National Immigration Administration (国家移民管理局), formerly under the Ministry of Public Security's Exit-Entry Administration (出入境管理局), and applies to all ordinary passports (普通护照), diplomatic passports (外交护照), and service passports (公务护照).

The Exit-Entry Administration has tightened photo enforcement considerably since the rollout of biometric e-passports in 2012. As of 2025, all passport photos submitted at Public Security Bureau (PSB / 公安局) service windows are scanned by automated facial recognition systems that check dimensions, background purity, head positioning, and digital alteration. The rejection rate at major metropolitan PSBs (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen) has risen to roughly 15-20% of submissions, with background contamination and excessive retouching accounting for the majority of failures.

The official photo requirements are published on the National Immigration Administration website and posted at every PSB exit-entry service hall across the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部) oversees consular passport services for Chinese citizens abroad.

Dimensions and Technical Specifications

Photo size:

• 33mm wide x 48mm tall -- this is mandatory and unique to China
• Head height (from chin to crown): 28-33mm
• Face width (between outer edges of cheekbones): 15-22mm
• Head must be centered horizontally with roughly equal margins on both sides
• Top margin (crown of head to top edge of photo): 3-5mm
• Bottom margin: chin should be approximately 1/3 from the bottom edge

Digital file requirements (for e-passport applications):

• Format: JPEG only
• Pixel dimensions: 354 x 472 pixels (maintains the 33x48mm ratio at 272 DPI)
• File size: 40 KB to 120 KB
• Color depth: 24-bit RGB
• Resolution: minimum 272 DPI (standard for Chinese ID photos)

Print specifications:

• Matte or semi-gloss photo paper
• No visible pixelation, banding, or color shifts
• Clean-cut edges with no white borders or frames

Background:

• Pure white only -- no off-white, cream, grey, or blue
• The background must be uniform with zero visible texture, gradient, or shadow
• White value should fall within RGB (230-255, 230-255, 230-255) range
• Even the faintest shadow or slight discoloration behind the head will trigger rejection
• China is stricter on background purity than almost any other country

Expression and positioning:

• Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open and looking directly at the lens
• No tilting, no turning -- face must be perfectly frontal
• Both ears must be fully visible (hair tucked behind ears if necessary)
• No squinting, no raised eyebrows, no visible teeth

Clothing and accessories:

• No hats, headbands, or head coverings (religious exemptions are extremely limited in practice)
• No glasses of any kind -- prescription glasses, sunglasses, and even frameless lenses are prohibited
• No scarves, high collars, or clothing that obscures the jawline or neck
• Dark-colored tops are recommended to contrast with the white background
• No uniforms (military, police, school, or company uniforms are not permitted)

Retouching policy:

• China explicitly prohibits digital beautification, skin smoothing, face slimming, eye enlargement, and any AI-powered enhancement
• PSB systems use checksum and metadata analysis to detect edited files
• Photos taken through beauty-mode apps (美颜相机, 美图秀秀, etc.) are automatically flagged
• Minor brightness/contrast adjustments for accurate skin tone are acceptable; anything beyond that is not

Recency: Must be taken within 6 months. For renewal applications, the PSB will compare the submitted photo against the existing biometric record -- significant appearance changes (weight, hairstyle, aging) may require additional verification.

Hukou Photo vs Passport Photo -- Key Differences

Many Chinese applicants assume their household registration (户口簿) photo can be reused for a passport. It cannot. The two formats serve different purposes and have different specifications.

The 1-inch (一寸) photo used for hukou booklets and many domestic documents typically has a red or blue background and looser composition rules. Attempting to crop or resize a hukou photo to passport dimensions will fail because the head-to-frame ratio will be wrong and the background color is incorrect.

Similarly, the 2-inch (二寸) photo format (35x49mm) used for some Chinese visas and work permits is close in size to the passport format but not identical. The 2mm width difference matters -- PSBs measure precisely.

That is why China is one of the worst places to rely on a "close enough" passport template. If you want to compare the format directly, our 33x48mm Photo page is the right internal reference rather than a generic 35x45 guide. For a feel for how mainstream studio chains present证件照 services in China, Naive Blue's official site is a useful local reference point.

Where to Get Your Photo Taken in China

Photo studios near PSB offices (照相馆): Every PSB exit-entry service hall has at least one or two licensed photo studios (证件照相馆) within walking distance, and many have one inside the building itself. These studios are purpose-built for ID and travel document photos. Typical pricing ranges from 20-50 CNY for a set of passport photos, which usually includes 6-8 printed copies plus a digital file on a USB drive or sent via WeChat. Studios near major PSBs in tier-1 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) tend to charge 30-50 CNY, while those in smaller cities charge 20-30 CNY. The entire process takes about 5-10 minutes. These studios know the exact specifications and their rejection rate is very low.

Self-service photo machines (自助证件照机): Most government service halls (政务服务中心) and many metro stations now have self-service photo kiosks. These machines offer passport-format photos for 15-30 CNY. The process is fully automated -- you sit down, the machine adjusts lighting and framing, takes several shots, and lets you choose the best one. The machine then prints a sheet of photos and can email or transfer the digital file. The cameras in these machines are calibrated specifically for Chinese ID photo standards, so compliance rates are high. Look for them under brand names like "天真蓝" or "海马体" kiosks.

Chain photo studios:

• Haimati (海马体照相馆) -- premium chain offering ID and passport photos with professional lighting, typically 50-80 CNY, located in major shopping malls across tier-1 and tier-2 cities
• Tianzhenlan (天真蓝) -- similar premium positioning, 60-100 CNY, known for consistent quality
• Local studios (当地照相馆) -- independent neighborhood studios, usually 15-25 CNY, quality varies

Smartphone photo apps: Apps like "最美证件照" and "证件照随拍" can generate compliant ID photos from your phone. However, these apps apply automatic beautification by default, which must be completely disabled before submitting to PSB. Many applicants have had photos rejected because they forgot to turn off the built-in beauty mode. If using an app, export the raw version without any filters.

Online ID Photo Requirements for E-Passports (网络证件照)

Since 2019, several provinces allow online passport applications through the "移民局" app or the National Immigration Administration website. For online submissions, the digital photo requirements are strictly enforced by automated systems.

The uploaded JPEG must be exactly 354 x 472 pixels. Files that deviate from these dimensions -- even by a single pixel -- are rejected automatically. The file size must fall between 40 KB and 120 KB. Photos larger than 120 KB are assumed to contain too much detail (possibly from retouching) or to have been captured at a resolution higher than the system expects, which triggers a manual review flag.

The online system runs automated checks for:

• Background purity (must register as white within tolerance)
• Face detection and positioning (head centered, both eyes visible)
• Head height ratio (28-33mm equivalent in pixels: approximately 165-195 px)
• Lighting uniformity (no shadows, no hotspots)
• Metadata analysis (EXIF data checked for editing software signatures)

If the automated check fails, you receive an immediate error code. The most common codes are: E001 (background not white enough), E003 (face not detected or not centered), and E007 (file dimensions incorrect).

Children's Passport Photos

Children under 16 require a guardian to accompany them for passport applications. The photo requirements for children are the same 33x48mm dimensions, but with adjusted head-height tolerances.

Infants (under 1 year):

• Eyes may be partially closed -- this is the only relaxation of the "both eyes open" rule
• The child must be photographed alone with no parent or guardian visible
• Lay the infant on a white sheet and photograph from directly above, or hold the child upright against a white surface with the holder's hands hidden
• No pacifiers, toys, bottles, or comfort items in the frame

Children aged 1-5:

• Both eyes must be open, mouth closed
• Head height ratio is adjusted: 22-28mm (smaller faces are acceptable within this range)
• The child's face must fill a proportionally smaller area of the frame than an adult's
• It helps to have the child sit on a parent's lap covered by a white cloth, with only the child's head and shoulders visible

Children aged 6-15:

• Same rules as adults, but slight relaxation on ear visibility if the child's hairstyle makes it genuinely impractical
• Both parents must sign the application form, though only one parent needs to be physically present at the PSB

For all children's applications, the PSB may request the child's birth certificate (出生证明), household registration (户口簿), and the accompanying parent's ID.

Taking a Compliant Photo at Home

Camera setup: Use a smartphone with at least 8 megapixels (any modern phone qualifies). Mount it on a tripod or prop it at face height. Stand approximately 1-1.5 meters from the camera. Use the rear camera and set a timer, or have someone else take the photo.

Background: A clean white wall is ideal. If your walls are not white, tape a large piece of white poster board or a white bedsheet to the wall behind you. Stand about 15-20cm away from the wall to avoid casting a shadow. The white must be uniform -- patchy paint, visible tape, or wrinkled fabric will cause rejection.

Lighting: Natural daylight from a window in front of you is best. Supplement with a desk lamp if needed. Avoid overhead-only lighting (creates under-eye and under-nose shadows). Avoid direct flash (causes background shadows and uneven skin tone). Two light sources at 45-degree angles produce the most uniform result.

Hair: Tuck hair behind both ears so they are fully visible. Pull back bangs if they cover your forehead. No hair accessories -- clips, pins, and headbands are not allowed.

Post-processing: Crop to exactly 354 x 472 pixels. Ensure the file is saved as JPEG with a size between 40 KB and 120 KB. Do not apply any beauty filters, skin smoothing, or color grading. Adjust only brightness and contrast if the lighting was uneven.

Common Reasons for Photo Rejection at PSB

Based on reported rejection patterns at major Chinese PSB offices:

1. Background not pure white (35-40% of rejections) -- The most common issue by far. Any shadow, grey cast, off-white tone, or visible texture on the background triggers rejection. Photos taken against cream-colored or light grey walls are routinely failed, even if they appear white to the naked eye.

2. Retouching or beautification detected (20-25%) -- China's PSB systems are aggressive about detecting digital alterations. Skin smoothing, face slimming, eye enlargement, and any AI enhancement are caught by metadata and pixel analysis. Photos from beauty-mode cameras are the most common offenders.

3. Ears not visible (12-15%) -- Both ears must be fully visible. Long hair covering the ears, even partially, results in rejection. This applies to all applicants regardless of gender.

4. Incorrect dimensions (10-12%) -- Submitting a 35x45mm photo (the international standard) instead of the 33x48mm Chinese standard. This happens frequently to applicants who have their photos taken abroad or at studios unfamiliar with Chinese requirements.

5. Wrong head size ratio (8-10%) -- Head too large (too close to camera) or too small (too far away). The 28-33mm head height window is narrower than most countries allow.

6. Glasses worn (5-8%) -- Despite the ban being well-publicized, some applicants still wear glasses. Even clear frameless lenses are not permitted.

7. Expression or pose issues (3-5%) -- Slight smiles, squinting, head tilts, or eyes not looking directly at the camera.

Applying at Chinese Embassies and Consulates Abroad

Chinese citizens abroad apply for passport renewal or issuance at Chinese embassies and consulates. The photo requirements are identical to domestic applications -- 33x48mm, white background, no glasses, no retouching. However, most photo studios outside China are unfamiliar with the 33x48mm format. When visiting a foreign photo studio, bring printed specifications or show them the exact dimensions.

Many Chinese consulates offer on-site photo services for 10-15 USD / 10-15 EUR (equivalent). The consulate's own photo service is the safest option since they use the correct dimensions and know the current requirements.

If getting photos taken at a non-Chinese studio abroad, request custom dimensions of 33mm x 48mm and emphasize the white background requirement. Some studios will default to 35x45mm (the ICAO standard) unless specifically told otherwise. Always verify the final dimensions before submitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does China use 33x48mm instead of the standard 35x45mm? A: China established its passport photo dimensions before the ICAO standardized the 35x45mm format. The 33x48mm size has been used for Chinese travel documents for decades, and the biometric systems at Chinese border control are calibrated to this format. There are no current plans to change it.

Q: Can I use a photo from a foreign photo booth for my Chinese passport? A: Most foreign photo booths produce 35x45mm or 2x2 inch photos, neither of which matches the Chinese 33x48mm requirement. Unless the booth specifically offers 33x48mm format, you will need to find a studio that can produce custom dimensions.

Q: Is a slightly off-white background acceptable? A: No. China enforces pure white backgrounds more strictly than most countries. Even a slight cream or grey tint will fail the automated screening. If in doubt, the background is not white enough.

Q: Can I wear light makeup in my passport photo? A: Minimal, natural makeup is acceptable as long as it does not alter the appearance of your facial features. Heavy foundation, contouring, colored contacts, false eyelashes, and dramatic eye makeup are grounds for rejection because they change how your face appears to biometric systems.

Q: How many printed photos do I need for a Chinese passport application? A: The standard requirement is 2 printed photos for a domestic application at a PSB. Some PSBs request 3. Consulate applications abroad typically require 2. Studios usually provide 6-8 prints in a set, so this is rarely an issue.

Q: Do children need to be present at the PSB for their passport photo? A: Yes. The PSB requires the child to be physically present. Photos taken elsewhere are accepted, but the child must be present so the PSB officer can verify the photo matches the applicant. For infants, the photo can be taken in advance and brought to the appointment.

Q: What if I have a medical condition that prevents me from showing both ears? A: Medical documentation from a hospital (医院证明) can be submitted for accommodation, but this is handled on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed. Contact your local PSB's exit-entry division in advance to confirm what documentation is needed.