China 中国 Passport Photo 33mm x 48mm requirements

1. Basic Specifications

• Quantity: Generally 3 identical photos are required for paper applications (though online apps like "China Consular" only require 1 digital upload).
• Recency: Must be taken within the last 6 months.
• Background: Must be pure white (no shadows, patterns, or borders).
• Finish: Must be printed on glossy photo paper (matte finish is often rejected).

2. Photo & Facial Dimensions

The following measurements are critical for your app's auto-alignment or cropping logic:

• Photo Size: 33mm (width) × 48mm (height).
• Head Width: Between 15mm and 22mm.
• Head Height: Between 28mm and 33mm (measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head).
• Top Margin: 3mm to 5mm (space between the top of the head/hairline and the top edge of the photo).
• Bottom Margin: At least 7mm (space from the chin to the bottom edge of the photo).

3. Pose and Expression

• Orientation: Full frontal view with the head centered.
• Head Tilt: No more than 20° left or right; no more than 25° up or down.
• Expression: Neutral; eyes open and looking at the camera; mouth naturally closed (no teeth showing).
• Visibility: Both ears and the entire forehead must be clearly visible (hair should be tucked behind ears and away from the brow).

4. Attire and Accessories

• Clothing: Must be a darker color that contrasts with the white background. White or light-colored clothing is strictly prohibited. No uniforms.
• Eyeglasses: Allowed only if the frames are thin/small, do not obscure the eyes, and there is absolutely no glare or reflection on the lenses. Tinted lenses or thick frames are not allowed.
• Headgear: Not permitted unless for religious reasons (and even then, it must not cover any part of the face).
• Jewelry: No earrings, necklaces, or visible facial piercings.

5. Image Quality (Digital/Android Context)

• No Alterations: The photo must not be enhanced, filtered, or retouched. This includes removing blemishes, adjusting skin tone, or thinning the face.
• Lighting: Must be uniform and natural; no "red-eye," overexposure, or underexposure.
• Digital File (for online submission): * Size: Between 354 × 472 pixels and 420 × 560 pixels.
• Format: JPEG.
• File Weight: 40KB – 120KB.

References

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the People's Republic of China: Requirements for Digital Photo Specifications for Electronic Passports
• China Embassy in Australia China: Passport Photo Requirements