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Print 33 × 48 mm China visa photo

What to check when preparing your China visa photo: size, background, and file requirements.

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Print 33 × 48 mm China visa photo

The photo conditions to check first

For printing, make sure the 33 × 48 mm crop survives the print flow

Convenience-store or photo-lab printing usually means placing one or more 33 × 48 mm photos on a larger sheet and cutting them out afterward. The risk is not only the image file; the print app may scale, crop, or add margins.

Avoid settings that automatically fit the image to paper if they change the photo scale. After printing, measure the cut photo and confirm the face still falls within the required position.

  1. Use a layout that preserves 33 × 48 mm
  2. Avoid automatic scaling when it changes the face size
  3. Use photo paper and check print sharpness

Do not mix up print data and COVA upload data

A 354 × 472 px JPEG for COVA and a 33 × 48 mm printed photo can be made from the same source photo, but they are not the same deliverable. Save them separately so you do not upload a print sheet or print a small upload file by mistake.

Some procedures may ask for information such as a name on the back of a printed photo. Check the instruction for your actual embassy, consulate, or visa center.

Create your photo in the browser

Prepare the photo for China Visa directly in your smartphone or computer browser. Creating and reviewing are free.

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What 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.

  1. Wrong File Size or Dimensions

    The COVA digital upload requires a JPEG within the official file size range at the standard pixel size. An incorrect file size or resolution can fail upload validation.

  2. Incorrect Head Size

    Your head should be 28–33 mm tall. Tilting the head is also not allowed.

  3. White Clothes on White Background

    Avoid white or very light clothing because it can blend into the white background. Darker clothing provides clearer separation.

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.

Check China Visa Photo Requirements Guide

View all guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is a China visa photo?

Paper submissions: 33 × 48 mm high. COVA digital uploads: 354 × 472 px. Some centers mention up to 420 × 560 px; follow your upload screen or local visa center instructions.

Is the China visa photo 33 × 48 mm or 48mm × 33mm?

Both expressions describe the same photo in landscape wording. Official Chinese embassy and COVA pages sometimes write the dimensions in reverse order, meaning height by width.

Do I need a printed photo or digital upload?

It depends on your application route. COVA online requires a digital upload (JPEG at the standard pixel size within the file size range). Some procedures may also require printed photos. Check the specific embassy, consulate, or visa center instructions.

Do I need to write my name on the back of the printed photo?

Some procedures or centers may require your name or other details on the back. The embassy, consulate, or visa center where you apply can confirm this.

Where these requirements come from