Take a China visa photo with a phone
What to check when preparing your China visa photo: size, background, and file requirements.
The photo conditions to check first
- Take a photo in front of a plain white wall with even, natural lighting.
- Adjust your face position using the template overlay guide.
- Check that the background is plain white or near-white, with no shadows on your face or behind you.
- Export the prepared photo as a print layout and/or a COVA-style JPEG that matches the sizes above.
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Use a phone, but avoid close self-portraits when possible
A smartphone can work well for a China visa photo, but a close selfie often tilts the face or distorts the proportions. If possible, ask someone else to take the photo from face height.
Stand in front of a plain white wall, leave some space from the wall to reduce shadows, and include enough area around the head and shoulders so the image can be cropped to 33 × 48 mm or 354 × 472 px later.
- Keep the phone at face height
- Leave space around the head and shoulders
- Retake the photo instead of heavily fixing a dark or tilted image
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Check the photo in the right order
First check whether the face is straight, the eyes are visible, and the expression is natural. Then check the background, head size, top margin, and file format.
The advantage of phone shooting is that you can retake quickly. A fresh photo in better light is often safer than heavy editing.
Create your photo in the browser
Prepare the photo for China Visa directly in your smartphone or computer browser. Creating and reviewing are free.
Open the web toolWhat this tool creates
- the required face photo (for digital upload)
Also available as an iPhone appOpen the App Store
Check before you apply
Check the COVA upload screen and the embassy, consulate, or visa center instructions for your actual application route.
Photo conditions that can cause problems
Check these photo conditions before you submit. Getting them right during the shoot saves a retake later.
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Shadows on Face or Background
Uneven lighting or standing too close to the wall can create shadows. Ensure soft, even lighting with no shadows on the face or behind the head.
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Incorrect Head Size
Your head should be 28–33 mm tall. Tilting the head is also not allowed.
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Hair Covering Ears or Eyebrows
It is safest to keep your forehead, eyebrows, and ears clearly visible. Official guidance from some embassies states that ears should be visible. Avoid letting hair cover your eyes, eyebrows, or the contours of your face.
How the App Helps You Prepare Your Photo
On-Screen Template Guide
Align your face with the official guide lines to easily meet the strict height and width specifications.
Background Check & Guidance
Check whether the background is plain white or near-white, with no shadows. It is safest to take the photo in front of a white wall from the start. If you use a background cleanup feature, use it carefully and verify the final image looks natural.
COVA-Style JPEG Export
Export a JPEG sized for COVA's digital upload requirements — the exact pixel and file-size targets are in the table above. Final acceptance depends on the COVA upload check, visa center, embassy or consulate.
Privacy First Processing
All image adjustments are processed entirely on your device. Your photos are never sent to a server.
Note: shoumei.org is an independent photo formatting tool to assist in preparation. It is not affiliated with COVA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, any Chinese embassy or consulate, or any visa application center. It does not submit visa applications or guarantee acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the China visa photo requirements?
Paper submissions follow the print size, and COVA digital uploads use the standard pixel size within the official file size range, on a plain white or near-white background, taken within the last 6 months. The table above breaks this down by format.
What background is required?
Plain white or near-white with no shadows, patterns, or objects. Take the photo in front of a white wall with even lighting.
Should my ears and eyebrows be visible?
Yes. Keep your forehead, eyebrows, and ears clearly visible, tuck long hair behind your ears, and make sure no hair covers your eyes or face outline.
What conditions can cause a China visa photo to be rejected?
Background shadows, hair covering the eyebrows or eyes, glasses with thick frames or glare, white clothing blending into the background, incorrect head dimensions, a file size outside the official range, or a photo older than 6 months.
Where these requirements come from
- COVA - China Online Visa Application photo upload Checked: 2026-06-29
- VisaForChina - Photo requirements FAQ Checked: 2026-09-03
- Consulate-General of China in Los Angeles - Photo Requirements Checked: 2026-06-29