The Quick-Reference Spec Sheet
Every requirement that applies to China visa photos in 2026 — printed and digital — in one place.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Printed size | 33mm wide × 48mm tall (portrait orientation — not square) |
| Head width in photo | 15mm – 22mm |
| Head height in photo | 20mm – 33mm |
| Face coverage | 70–80% of the photo area |
| Background | Plain white only — no off-white, cream, gray, or light blue |
| Color | Color (RGB) only — no black and white |
| Recency | Taken within the past 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral — eyes open, mouth closed, ears visible |
| Glasses | Not permitted — no prescription, fashion, or tinted lenses |
| Head coverings | Not permitted (except for documented religious reasons) |
| Head tilt | No more than 20° left or right, 25° up or down |
| COVA digital format | JPEG only |
| COVA digital file size | 40KB – 120KB |
| COVA digital pixel dimensions | 354–420px wide × 472–560px tall |
| Quantity submitted physically | 1 printed photo (included with your mailed documents) |
Critical dimension note: Chinese visa photos are 33×48mm — portrait rectangle. US passport photos are 51×51mm — square. These are completely different formats. You cannot use a US passport photo for a Chinese visa application. Even trimming one down will not produce the correct aspect ratio.
How Chinese Visa Photos Differ From US Passport Photos
This is the single most common source of confusion for US-based applicants. You may have a perfectly compliant US passport photo and assume it will work for your China visa. It will not.
| Specification | China Visa Photo | US Passport Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 33 × 48mm (portrait) | 51 × 51mm (square) |
| Aspect ratio | 3:4 portrait rectangle | 1:1 square |
| Background | Pure white only | White or off-white accepted |
| Ears | Must be visible (explicitly required) | Not specifically required |
| Glasses | Not allowed under any circumstances | Now also not allowed (since 2016) |
| Digital format | JPEG, 40–120KB, specific pixel range | JPEG, higher size limits |
The COVA Digital Upload Requirements
Since September 2025, the COVA system requires a digital photo upload before the application form opens. Your photo must pass an automated check before you can proceed. Here are the rules that catch most applicants off guard:
- Format: JPEG only. PNG, HEIC, WEBP, and other formats will be rejected.
- File size: Between 40KB and 120KB. A file of 121KB fails. A file of 39KB fails. Export settings matter — adjust compression until you hit this range.
- Pixel dimensions: 354–420 pixels wide, 472–560 pixels tall. Both dimensions must fall within these ranges simultaneously.
- Background: Pure white with no shadows behind the head, no gradients, no color casts from nearby walls. Even slightly off-white can trigger a rejection.
- Forehead: Your forehead must be fully visible. Bangs covering your brow line will fail the automated check.
- Ears: Must be visible and not covered by hair — specifically cited in the official COVA requirements.
Known COVA bug: The automated photo checker sometimes rejects compliant photos due to a platform glitch. Chinese authorities have acknowledged this issue. If your photo meets all specifications but still fails, try: re-exporting as a fresh JPEG at 90% quality, slightly adjusting pixel dimensions within the allowed range, and using a different browser (Chrome or Safari work best). Contact us if you're stuck — we have helped many applicants through this specific issue.
The 7 Most Common Photo Rejection Reasons at the SF Consulate
- Wrong dimensions — using a US passport photo. The most common mistake. 51×51mm square photos are automatically rejected. You must print at 33×48mm.
- Off-white or cream background. The SF consulate and COVA system both require pure white. A slightly warm background from a home shoot often fails even if it looked white in the camera.
- Hair covering forehead or ears. Both the COVA automated system and consulate officers will reject photos where the forehead is partially covered by bangs or ears are covered by hair. Pull hair fully back.
- Shadows on the background. A shadow cast by the subject onto the background — even a faint one — causes rejection. Stand at least 12 inches from the background when photographed.
- Photo more than 6 months old. Pulling an old photo from a prior application is a frequent error. The photo must be taken within the last 6 months of your current application date.
- Glasses in the photo. Not permitted under any circumstances. Remove all eyewear including thin-framed prescription glasses.
- Wrong COVA file size or format. A file that's 125KB instead of 120KB, or saved as PNG instead of JPEG, fails immediately in the COVA system before manual review even begins.
Where to Get a Compliant China Visa Photo in the Western US
Most standard US photo services (CVS, Walgreens, AAA) produce photos sized for the US passport — 2×2 inch square — not for the Chinese visa. To get the correct 33×48mm format, you have a few options:
- Chinese photo studios or photographers. In any city with a significant Chinese community (San Jose, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas Chinatown, etc.) there are photo studios that specifically produce China visa and Chinese passport photos. These are the most reliable option.
- Online photo preparation services. Services like Snap2Pass or similar photo-sizing tools let you upload any photo and they resize/crop it to the correct Chinese visa dimensions, export the correct file size, and deliver a printable file. This works well if your underlying photo has good lighting and a clean white background.
- Take it yourself and reformat. If you have a white wall, good natural or artificial lighting, and a smartphone, you can take the photo yourself. Use a photo editing tool to crop to a 3:4 aspect ratio, resize to approximately 400×533px (within the COVA pixel range), and export as JPEG at 90% quality to hit the 40–120KB target. Print at 33×48mm.
Tip from our team: Take two or three shots in slightly different positions during your photo session and keep the digital files. The COVA system occasionally has technical issues with individual photos that pass all specifications — having a backup image from the same session lets you try an alternative without another photo appointment.
Physical Photo Submission Requirements
In addition to the COVA digital upload, you must include one physical printed photo with your mailed documents. This photo must:
- Be printed at exactly 33×48mm — bring the digital file to a photo print service and specify the Chinese visa dimensions
- Be printed on photo paper (not standard printer paper) — the SF consulate rejects matte or inkjet-paper photos
- Match the digital photo uploaded to COVA — same session, same expression
- Not have any writing on the back (do not write your name on the back of the printed photo)
- Be clipped or lightly taped to the top of your COVA printout — not stapled through the face
The Complete Pre-Submission Photo Checklist
- Photo taken within the past 6 months
- Size: 33mm wide × 48mm tall (printed)
- Plain white background with no shadows or gradients
- Color photo (not black and white)
- Full face visible, eyes open, neutral expression
- Forehead fully visible — no bangs covering brow line
- Both ears visible — hair pulled back if needed
- No glasses of any kind
- No hat or head covering (unless religious documentation provided)
- Head tilt within 20° left/right and 25° up/down
- Printed on photo paper, not standard paper
- COVA digital upload: JPEG format, 40–120KB, 354–420px × 472–560px
- One physical copy included with mailed documents
Apply Now — We Review Your Photo Before Submission
When your documents arrive, we check your photo against every SF consulate specification before dropping off your passport. If there's an issue, we contact you before submitting — not after.
Start Your Application →+1 (415) 987-8661 · [email protected] · WeChat: 314187452
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a China visa photo?
A China visa photo must be 33mm wide × 48mm tall when printed. This is a portrait rectangle — completely different from the square 51×51mm US passport photo. Do not use a US passport photo for a Chinese visa application.
Can I use my US passport photo for a China visa?
No. US passport photos are 51×51mm (square). China visa photos are 33×48mm (portrait rectangle). The dimensions, aspect ratio, and head-size requirements are completely different. A US passport photo submitted for a China visa will be rejected on size alone.
What background color is required?
Plain white only. Off-white, cream, light gray, and light blue are not accepted. The background must be uniform with no shadows, gradients, or textures. This is stricter than US passport requirements, which accept off-white.
Why did my COVA photo fail even though it looks correct?
The COVA system has a documented bug where it rejects technically compliant photos. Try re-exporting the image as a fresh JPEG, checking that your file size is between 40–120KB, and that your pixel dimensions are within 354–420px wide × 472–560px tall. Try a different browser. Contact us if the issue continues — we can advise on workarounds.
Do I need both a digital and a printed photo?
Yes. You upload a digital photo during the COVA online application. You also include one printed 33×48mm photo on photo paper with your physical mailed documents. Both are required.