Create an official Chinese passport photo online for free. Simply upload a selfie from your smartphone, and the PhotoGov passport photo maker will convert it into an official image that meets 100% of the Ministry of Public Security's Chinese passport photo requirements.
PhotoGov is an independent service. We are not affiliated with any government, embassy, or consulate. All information on this website is based on official government requirements and verified primary sources. Final acceptance is determined solely by the issuing authority.
A photograph that meets the Chinese passport photo requirements is essential for a successful application. With our convenient passport and visa photo editor, free photos that 100% comply with all official guidelines are available in under 30 seconds. To make them, just follow the on-screen instructions below.
Our free passport photo maker automatically converts your original image's size, head proportions, framing, and background to the Chinese passport photo size 33x48 mm. You can choose additional services like changing your clothes into formal ones, or human verification by our expert. Download the final photo in either digital or printable format.
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Authored by:
John Bates (Travel/Visa expert)
On THIS PAGE:
Guidelines and size requirements for a China passport photo are determined by the Exit-Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) of the People’s Republic of China and are based on the biometric photo rules of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9303. To ensure your passport application is accepted, your photo must strictly meet these specifications. When you create your picture with the PhotoGov free photo maker, all the necessary standards are automatically applied.
Usually, two printed photos are required for submissions.
Chinese passport photo must be taken within the last six months and clearly reflect the applicant's current appearance.
The photo must measure 33 x 48 mm (3.3 x 4.8 cm), with the head height (chin to crown) about 30.0–34.1 mm, face width 16.0–24.0 mm, distance between pupils 7.0–10.0 mm, the eye line positioned roughly 12.9–20.8 mm from the top edge for adults (12.9–24.8 mm for children), and the distance from the hairline to the top edge about 2.1–3.8 mm.
The Chinese passport photo must be submitted in color only.
A plain white, light grey, or light blue background is required for Chinese passport applications.
Professional lighting is required. It must accurately reflect natural skin tones, hair color of the applicant, and be free of shadows, glare of bright spots on the face.
The applicant must face the camera directly with their head and shoulders squared in the shot.
Only natural facial expressions with eyes open and mouth closed are accepted in Chinese passport photos. Strong facial expressions such as smiling or frowning are not permitted, as they may delay processing or lead to the application being rejected.
Dark-colored clothing is preferred, and blue or white clothing is not allowed. Applicants must not wear uniforms, head coverings, or visible accessories such as headscarves, earrings, necklaces, or other jewelry, and must not wear glasses. Head coverings are allowed only when required for medical, cultural, or religious reasons, and in such cases, they must not obscure any part of the face or create shadows.
Glasses and colored lenses are not permitted in Chinese passport and visa photos. Glasses may only be worn for medical reasons if a relevant medical certificate of proof is provided together with an application form.
The printed photographs must be produced on quality photo paper and should have a clean, even surface without any marks, folds, scratches, or visible borders.
The digital photograph should be saved in JPEG format and produced in 24‑bit RGB color mode. If digitized from a paper photo, the scanning resolution must be no lower than 300 DPI. The resulting file size should fall between 20 KB and 80 KB. Any digital retouching or modification of natural facial features — including moles, scars, or hair — is strictly prohibited.
You can take a Chinese passport photo at local photo studios, printing shops, or retail chains that offer ID photo services, as long as they follow the official 33 × 48 mm size and biometric rules. Many applicants also use online tools that create compliant images ready for printing or digital submission. PhotoGov provides a dedicated Chinese passport photo template that automatically applies the correct size, background, and framing, so you can create a compliant photo from home and then download it or print it in a nearby shop.
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Today, to obtain a Chinese visa or a passport photo, you don't need to rush to a professional photo shop. With the PhotoGov free online photo maker, you can easily take a portrait with your smartphone or laptop, upload it to our platform, and it will convert it into an official Chinese passport photo size 33 x 48 mm. Follow our advice on a simple setup that will allow you to take a good photograph.
Find a well-lit area with a plain background. Make sure that the lighting is natural and doesn't cast any shadows on your face or background.
Wear dark, collared clothes. White and blue clothing isn't acceptable on the passport or Chinese visa photo.
Stand or sit up straight. Use a tripod to take a selfie, or hold a phone at about 20 inches away from your face. Even better — ask someone to take the photo from a distance of 5 to 7 feet.
Use the PhotoGov photo-making tool to adjust your picture to the official Chinese authorities' requirements.
Download your finalized passport photo in a digital or printable format. It is ready for in-person or online submission.
Pretty much the same requirements and setup are valid for Chinese baby passport photos. Pick a moment and create a calm atmosphere, and you'll be able to capture a suitable picture of your child. And trust the rest to PhotoGov: after you upload your infant or child's photo to our platform, it will automatically convert it to all Ministry of Public Security specifications.
Uniform lighting from a natural source, plain background.
A newborn may lie on a blanket; older children — sit or stand.
Neutral facial expression, no crying or laughing.
No toys, parents’ hands, or other objects in the frame.
One of the key benefits of using our 33mm x 48mm photo free online tool is that it provides a downloadable file in professional, printable quality. After you've downloaded your printouts from PhotoGov, you can easily print them on photographic matte or glossy paper at home. If you don't have a printer, seek printing services near you.
PhotoGov follows the official photo specifications set by the Exit and Entry Administration of China, as well as international biometric standards defined in ICAO Doc 9303. Our team regularly reviews these regulations, ensuring that the system’s templates and software parameters meet the most current Chinese passport photo requirements.
For Chinese passports, images are formatted to the official 33 × 48 mm size with the correct head proportions, facial positioning, and uniform background color. The editing process is limited to adjusting dimensions, cropping, and background tone while keeping every facial feature completely natural. The final image file is ready for digital upload or printing within seconds.
For added confidence, applicants can activate the Human Verification feature — a manual review by a trained specialist to confirm full compliance with the latest Chinese passport photo standards, minimizing the risk of rejection during submission.
Yes. The Chinese passport photo size is 33 × 48 mm, both for visa and passport applications.
You need to submit one digital photo with your China passport 33x48 mm application. Just make sure that its quality meets all the requirements. Some authorities may require two photos, so be sure to double-check the number needed before sending in your application.
If you go to a pharmacy, shipping center, or retailer with a photo booth, you can expect to pay $15 for one photo. Opting for a professional photographer may cost more. If you use the PhotoGov passport photo maker, your photos are absolutely free of charge. Only additional services like your daily adjustment into formal clothes, or a manual verification, may require a little extra.
When you use a free online photo maker, PhotoGov, you don't need to worry that your photo meets all the Ministry of Public Security official requirements: the system adjusts your photo automatically. It corrects the original image to the right size, adjusts proportions, framing, and background color. The final photo is 100% compliant and application-ready.
When you're taking a selfie, consider the following:
Here are a few tips to snap a passport photo for a Chinese passport:
Make sure the lighting is even
Avoid any shadows
Use a simple white or blue white backdrop
Capture a high-quality image with a neutral expression.
Use PhotoGov to format the original photo into a Ministry of Public Security compliant image.
Your picture must have been taken within the last six months and realistically reflect your current appearance. Using an older photo could lead to delays or rejections in your application process.
Absolutely. Mobile apps tailored for passport and visa photos can guide you in producing a compliant Chinese passport picture. Just upload your selfie to the PhotoGov platform, wait about 30 seconds while it processes it, and download a digital or a printable file.
To get a compliant Chinese passport or visa picture, follow these steps on the PhotoGov's website:
PhotoGov ensures that your image meets all required Chinese government standards, guaranteeing high quality and compliance.
Official Guidelines for Chinese Passport Photos Size 33x48: Exit-Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) of the People’s Republic of China.
Exit-Entry Permits for Foreigners: National Immigration Administration
Biometric Regulations for International ID Documents: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9303
China
17 doc.
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