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 | 28mm – 33mm |
| Background | Plain white or close-to-white, evenly lit, with no patterns or shadows. Clean white is recommended for the easiest COVA upload. |
| Color | Color (RGB) only — no black and white |
| Recency | Taken within the past 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral — eyes open, mouth closed, ears visible |
| Glasses | Clear eyeglasses are permitted only if there is no tint, glare, shadow, heavy frame, or obstruction of the eyes. Removing glasses is recommended if practical to reduce photo-check problems. |
| 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 | Use the pixel dimensions currently shown by COVA — the system checks the uploaded image |
| Physical photo | Normally not required if COVA accepts the digital upload; provide one compliant 33×48mm photo if repeated upload attempts fail but COVA allows you to continue, or if specifically requested |
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 | Portrait rectangle (33×48mm) | 1:1 square |
| Background | White or close-to-white | White or off-white accepted |
| Ears | Must be visible (explicitly required) | Not specifically required |
| Glasses | Clear eyeglasses permitted if not tinted, thick-rimmed, or glare-producing; removing them is recommended if practical | Now also not allowed (since 2016) |
| Digital format | JPEG, meeting the file-size and pixel requirements currently shown by COVA | JPEG, higher size limits |
The COVA Digital Upload Requirements
Since September 2025, the COVA system requires a digital photo upload during the Personal Information section of the application. If the automated check fails repeatedly, COVA may still allow you to continue. 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: Use the pixel dimensions currently shown by COVA — the system checks the uploaded image against its own requirements.
- Background: White background, evenly lit, with no shadows.
- 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.
If your photo meets every specification and still fails: Some applicants report the automated photo checker rejecting photos that appear fully compliant. If repeated upload attempts fail but COVA still allows you to continue, 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. Use a white background, evenly lit, with no shadows — this is recommended for the easiest upload.
- 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.
- Problem glasses. Clear eyeglasses are permitted only if there's no tint, glare, shadow, heavy frame, or obstruction of the eyes. Removing glasses is recommended if practical to reduce the risk of a photo-check rejection.
- 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. For a physical photo, use 33mm wide × 48mm high. For the digital upload, follow the dimensions currently shown by COVA. Export as JPEG at high quality and check it against the pixel-dimension and file-size requirements currently shown by COVA.
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.
When a Physical Photo Is Needed
Upload your photo digitally in COVA first. If COVA accepts the upload, a printed photo is normally not required with your mailed documents. If repeated upload attempts fail but COVA allows your application to continue, provide a compliant physical photo when your passport is submitted. A consulate may also request a physical photo for an individual case. When a physical print is needed, it 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) — matte or inkjet-paper prints are often rejected
- 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)
- If you do mail a physical photo, clip or lightly tape it to your passport — not stapled through the face
The Complete Pre-Submission Photo Checklist
- Photo taken within the past 6 months
- Size: 33mm wide × 48mm tall
- Plain white or close-to-white background, evenly lit, 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 tinted, reflective, or heavy-framed glasses obscuring the eyes (removing glasses is recommended if practical)
- No hat or head covering (unless religious documentation provided)
- Head tilt within 20° left/right and 25° up/down
- COVA digital upload: JPEG format, meeting the file-size and pixel-dimension requirements currently shown by COVA
- Physical print: only needed, printed on photo paper, if the automated check repeatedly fails but COVA allows you to continue, or if requested for your case
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 · Mandy@ChinaVisaMail.com
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 or close-to-white, evenly lit, with no patterns or shadows. Clean white is recommended for the easiest COVA upload — off-white, cream, gray, or blue backgrounds carry a higher risk of rejection and should be avoided if possible.
Why did my COVA photo fail even though it looks correct?
Try re-exporting the image as a fresh JPEG that meets the pixel-dimension and file-size requirements currently shown by COVA, and try a different browser. If the check repeatedly fails after that, COVA may still allow your application to continue — provide a compliant physical photo when your passport is submitted. Contact us if the issue continues — we can advise on workarounds.
Do I need both a digital and a printed photo?
Not always. You upload a digital photo during the COVA online application, and if COVA accepts that upload, a printed photo is normally not required. If the automated check repeatedly fails but COVA allows you to continue, include one printed 33×48mm photo on photo paper with your physical mailed documents. A consulate may also request one for an individual case.