Chinese Passport Photo
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Chinese Passport Photo - Size & Requirements
Height: 472 px
- Head height: 350 px
- Top of the Photo to Top of the Hair: 30 px
How to make a photo?
General requirements for a Chinese passport photo
Whenever you get or renew a Chinese passport or visa, you will need to submit photos as part of your application. These photos must comply with official rules and requirements in order to be accepted by Chinese authorities. In this article, we will provide you with all the requirements for a passport photo in China.
Technical requirements of the Chinese passport photo
- Size: the standard passport photo size in China is 33mm wide by 48mm high.
- Color: black & white pictures are no longer acceptable. You are required to submit color photographs.
- Head size within the picture: the image of your head should be between 15mm and 22mm wide, and between 28mm to 33mm long. There should also be empty space between the top of your head and the upper edge of the photo, and this space needs to be between 3mm to 5mm wide.
- Resolution: there is no official specification regarding resolution, but we strongly suggest you have a photo of at least 600 dpi.
- Exposure, contrast and saturation: it is important that your photos are both properly exposed (neither overexposed nor underexposed) and properly printed (not too dark or too light).
Shadows and colors in Chinese passport photos
Your passport photo must represent your actual eye color and skin color. No, you can’t use image manipulation software such as Photoshop to digitally alter your appearance! No color filters, no special effects.
You cannot have any shadows on your face or on the background. We suggest you shoot in natural daylight. Here are few tips to help you deal with shadows:
- Pose in front of a window.
- Leave a two-meter space (about seven feet) between you and the camera.
- Have a friend check that the light is evenly distributed across your face, without shadows or hot spots.
- Do not use a flash, which can create the "red eye" effect that will disqualify your photo.
Headgear, makeup and jewelry in Chinese passport photos
- You may wear makeup and jewelry in an official biometric photo for a Chinese passport. Be careful, though, and don’t over-do it, as excessive makeup will get a passport photo rejected.
- Excessive jewelry will also get your Passport application refused. Facial traits like your ears and the oval of your face should be entirely visible, so don’t wear really big earrings.
- You cannot wear any sort of fashion headgear such as hats, bonnets or headpieces. Exception can be made for head coverings worn for religious and cultural reasons like turbans, yarmulkes and hijabs. Keep in mind that your headgear cannot obscure your face in any way.
Glasses or sunglasses in Chinese passport photos
It is forbidden to wear sunglasses in your Chinese passport photo, even if they are prescribed for medical reasons. You are allowed to take your passport photos wearing prescription glasses if needed; however, they can’t block the view of the eyes. Make sure there is no glare on the lenses and no shadows on the face from the frames. We suggest people who wear glasses take them off when getting their passport picture taken, just to be safe.
Hairstyles and beards in Chinese passport photos
- Your hair cannot block your face or cover your eyes. People with bangs need to be extra careful: make sure your hair does not go past your eyebrow line.
- People with big hair also have to be careful not to cover their face. Also, your hair should not go extend beyond the photo edge, so we advise you to tie it back.
- If you normally have a beard, it is okay to keep it for your passport photo.
What can you wear for your Chinese passport photo?
You are free to wear whatever civilian clothes you like. Uniforms, camouflage patterns, and clothes which look like uniforms are not allowed. Remember that your passport is valid for ten years, so go for a timeless look. We recommend you wear something casual. It is not advised to wear light-colored clothes, which can blend into the white background. Tank tops should also be avoided, as they might give the impression that you’re naked!
Changes in appearance
When submitting your photos for a Chinese passport, you have to provide two recent color photographs. “Recent” means taken within the last six months. If you have drastically changed your appearance within the last six months, you will need to submit a new photo. It’s not necessary to take a new picture each time you dye your hair or grow a beard, but some changes do require you to submit a new photo:
- if you’ve gained (or lost) a very large amount of weight,
- suffered a permanent facial deformation,
- underwent facial plastic surgery,
- added or removed facial tattoos and/or piercings,
- if you made a gender change.
Biometric passport photos for children
Children need their own passports for travel. As with anyone else, you have to submit a recent color photograph of them with the application. We know children’s pictures can be difficult to take, but you have to do it! In addition to the other requirements mentioned above, here are some other details you need to pay attention to when taking your child’s passport photo.
- Make sure that the child’s eyes are open and clearly visible.
- If you're holding your child while taking the photo, you cannot be visible in the final picture.
- Only the kid can be in the picture. Toys, bottles, pacifiers or other people cannot be in the picture.
- To assure good positioning, try putting them in their car seat.
- Infants can be placed on the floor upon a white sheet, and photographed from above.
Most common mistakes on Chinese passport photos
Nothing is more irritating than having to redo your whole passport application just because your photo was rejected. To prevent this frustrating situation, we’ve listed some common mistakes that can be easily avoided:
- Do not smile or make a funny face. Smiling on your passport photo will get it rejected every time. Think of it as a mugshot. Keep a neutral and serious expression. Try to look smart and respectable.
- Do not use a photoflash—avoid the “red eye” effect. A strong flash can make your eyes look demonic. Use natural light whenever possible.
- The photo should not be creased, have staple holes, or be marked in any way. Provide only photos in new condition.
- Beware of uneven lighting. The light must be evenly distributed on your face, without shadows or hot spots.
- You must stand up straight and look directly at the camera. If your head is tilted or your eyes are not looking into the lens, your picture will be rejected.
- Do not digitally retouch your picture. Using software like Photoshop to modify your appearance is not allowed. A passport photo has to reflect your true self and your actual appearance.
Online photo tool for Chinese passport photo
Let us help you take your perfect Chinese passport photo at home, in your garden, or even in your bathroom! Passport Photo Online is super easy-to-use. Here’s how it works: you download our app, and we take it from there. Our algorithms crop and resize your image to make it meet all Chinese passport photo requirements. All you have to do is take a good photo of yourself. Take as many pictures as you need; you only pay for the one you choose at the end.
No need to worry about your background
Our app deletes any and all shadows and shapes in the background (including people and other objects), and replaces them with a perfectly smooth and uniform plain white background. Our background removing tool is amazing, and it provides guaranteed valid results.
Chinese passport photo validating software powered by AI
Do you want to be 100% sure that your passport photo meets all the Chinese official passport photo requirements? Of course you do! Rest assure that our Passport Photo Generator is guaranteed to give you complete satisfaction. If a passport photo validated by our AI is not accepted by the authorities, let us know. We will fix the problem and return all your money.
One photo template - hundreds of possibilities
Once your photo is created and approved, you can purchase a digital version which will be sent to you via email as a JPEG file. You can get it printed in drugstores and copy shops. If you are submitting an application online, your photo is be ready to be uploaded right away. Feel free to reuse your photo for other applications, too.
Reasons to choose an online photo app
By using our app, you can be 100% sure that your passport photo will be:
- created with the required background
- perfectly sized and cropped
- approved by embassies or consulates
- 100% satisfying as you can take a million shots and choose your favorite one!
And you've got a guaranteed photo approval. What do you have to lose?
One photo template - hundreds of possibilities
Once your photo is created and approved, you can purchase a digital version which will be sent to you via email as a JPEG file. You can get it printed in drugstores and copy shops. If you are submitting an application online, your photo is ready to be uploaded right away. Feel free to reuse your photo for other applications, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are passports for nationals of Macau, Hong Kong and Mainland China the same?
Macau Passport and Hong Kong Passport are a bit different from the Mainland China one, as they are delivered from the local authorities of Macau and Hong Kong. Mainland China inhabitants will not be able to apply for a Macau or Hong Kong passport if they have no document proving that they are actually living or coming from those two independent administrative regions. But apart from that, all of those passports are equally valid when travelling to non-visa free countries.
❓ What is the difference between Chinese Passport photo and Chinese Visa photo ?
Basically, there is no difference between those two photos, both documents have the same official photo requirements. Which means that you could use your Chinese Passport photo when applying for a Chinese visa and that you can also use your Chinese Visa photo when applying for a Chinese passport.
❓ Can I take my own passport photo?
Of course! With Passport Photo Online, there’s nothing easier! All you have to do is use a smartphone, face a natural light, follow the guidelines and let our tool do the rest!
❓ What is the size of a passport photo in China ?
The standard passport photos size in China is 33mm width and 48mm length. Regarding your head size, the required width is between 15mm and 22mm and the required length is 28mm to 33mm.
❓ How can I change the background of a passport photo?
Our background removing tool precisely deletes the wrong background to replace it with a light, white, correct background. So there is no need for you to worry about changing yourself !
❓ How should passport photos look?
For Chinese Passport, your Passport photo should look as professional and as serious as you can, you should also have a neutral face expression. You basically have to look exactly like people on a mugshot (not the most glamorous pictures we know). So, no funny face, no teeth showing and no smiling on your Passport Photo ! Maintain a straight position and get a beautiful white background.
❓ How do I take a passport photo at home with my phone?
It is extremely easy: stand in front of a window (preferably, natural light will reflect your true appearance, stand at about 1 metre from the camera, and ask a friend, or use a tripod to take a photo. After that, all you have to do is to select the type of document you are applying for (Chinese Passport for exemple), then upload your photo and let our app take care of the rest !
❓ Who can check passport photos?
Artificial Intelligence can check photos in a very precise manner and verify if they will be accepted by the competent authorities. However, if AI cannot seem to understand what is wrong with your photo, one of our agents will verify it themselves. Therefore, when we sent you your photo in the end, you can be sure that it will be accepted - and if for whatever reason (which never happens) your photo gets rejected, we will send you your money back.
❓ Can I smile on my passport photo?
Sadly, you cannot smile on your Passport Photo, no matter how beautiful your smile is. Smiling on your passport photo would be a reason for it to be rejected. You must have a neutral facial expression - eyes open, mouth closed.
❓ How many passport photos do I need?
When applying for a Chinese passport, you need to submit 2 identical photos of yourself taken within the last 6 months.
❓ Can I photoshop a Chinese passport photo?
Photoshopping your face is strongly forbidden ! If you change any of your facial features or use a filter and alter the natural true skin tones and color of your face, the photo will get rejected, because it is not considered biometric. You are perfect as you are, no need to change that!
❓ Can I use my smartphone to take a passport photo?
Of course - any device with a camera that takes relatively good pictures works!
❓ What makeup should I wear in a passport photo?
If you like makeup, go ahead and wear some! It is totally accepted. However, be careful to not have too much on as it could alter your facial features. Your facial traits must be clearly recognizable on a biometric photo and represent your actual appearance.
❓ Can I wear lenses in my passport photo?
If there is no reflection and “red eye” effect, you can wear contact lenses in your passport photo. However, please note that glasses, sunglasses and tinted glasses are not allowed. In the case where you have a medical obligation to wear glasses, please make sure that your pupils are clearly visible, that there is no flash reflection and that the stems/branches are not too large so they don’t hide your face structure.
❓ Is there a passport photo dress code?
There is not a precise and detailed dress code for a passport photo. We recommend you to avoid wearing white or light-colored clothes, as it may fade into the background. Tank tops should also be avoided as it could look like you are naked in your photo. Wearing uniforms is also not recommended at all.
❓ Can I take a passport photo in a photo booth?
Yes, you can! However, with the COVID-19 pandemic going on and the current restrictions, it might be better to avoid going out and choose to do at home what you can do at home! Using our app would be more “COVID-friendly”, as you will not have to move around and you can peacefully take your photo at home.
❓ Can I have a beard in my passport photo?
If you have a beard on a daily basis, you can of course keep it on your Passport Photo. However, if you don’t, we don’t recommend you to grow one before taking your Passport Photo.
❓ What is the best passport photo app?
Passport Photo Online, obviously! We can provide any size for any country upon your request, and we also use highly developed algorithms to ensure that you receive fantastic, high-resolution images.
❓ Are selfies allowed?
Selfies (and duckfaces) are not accepted, and it is important to use the rear camera of your electronic device for better quality. So, just ask a friend, a family member or use a tripod to take a photo of yourself, this way you will get the perfect Passport Photo.
About the document
Passport in China - Specifications
The Chinese passport or the People's Republic of China passport (中华人民共和国护照) is a passport issued to citizens of the People's Republic of China (PRC) who are registered as residents of Mainland China, which also means they hold a hukou - a legal document containing the personal information of each citizen, for example, their name, their date of birth, their family’s names and marital status. It is part of a system of household registration used in mainland China, which is a means of facilitating the identification of Chinese people, but also an important population management tool for the Government, and it entitles its bearer to the protection of China's consular officials overseas.
Keep on reading, and you will learn what the Chinese passport photo requirements are, what the biometric passports in China are, what are the different types of passport in China, how to renew your Chinese passport, what are the procedures for a lost/stolen passport, how much do they cost, and what are the photo size and format requirements.
Types of Chinese Passport:
- Ordinary passports普通护照 : issued to nationals who intend to go abroad for non-official purposes, such as taking up residence in other countries, visiting relatives, studying, working, travelling, or engaging in business activities.
- Diplomatic passports外交护照 : issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to diplomats, consuls and their families, as well as to diplomatic couriers.
- Service passports公务护照 : issued by the MFA to employees who are dispatched by the Chinese government to work for Chinese foreign missions, the UN or its special commissions, or other international organizations, as well as to their family.
- Passport for public affairs公务普通护照 : a special variation of the service passport, which is issued to public servants who "lead divisions or equivalents" of the county or state-owned companies, and employees of state-controlled companies.
- Macao Special Administrative Region passport: passport issued to Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of Macau. This passport is issued by the Identification Services Bureau of the government of Macau under the prerogative of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China.
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport: passport issued only to permanent residents of Hong Kong who also hold Chinese citizenship. The passport is issued by the Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong under the authorization of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China.
E-passports / Biometric passports
Biometric passports were launched in May 2012. All new passports issued by China since January 2015 are biometric e-passports, and non-biometric passports are no longer issued. As of April 2017, China had issued over 100 million biometric ordinary passports.
Chinese Ordinary Biometric Passport specifications
New security features include a second ghost picture of the holder and supplementary holographic graphs including the PRC emblem and a laser-printed world globe. The other included descriptions are as follows:
- Passport code (P)
- Country Code (CHN)
- Passport number (E########)
- Name (Chinese characters on top, Pinyin transcription on bottom)
- Sex (M/F)
- Nationality (Chinese)
- Date of birth (DD.MMM.YYYY)
- Place of birth (Country code if born abroad)
- Date of issue (DD.MMM.YYYY, month is transcribed into Arabic numbers)
- Place of issue (Province, or city of diplomatic/consular authority if issued abroad)
- Date of expiry (DD.MMM.YYYY, month is transcribed into Arabic numbers)
- Authority
- Bearer's signature
- Machine Readable Code
Passport Validity
The Chinese passport used to be valid for 5 years. Since 2007, ordinary passports are valid for 10 years for people over 16 years-old and for 5 years for people under 16 years-old, and diplomatic or military passports are valid for 4 years.
Create or renew your Chinese passport
Since February 2021, Chinese citizens abroad may apply for passport renewals or replacements at any overseas Chinese embassies or consulates. Chinese nationals who want to renew their expired passports must simply present their original passport as well as a declaration of their nationality, along with other regular requested papers, such as an application form and valid passport photos. If a Chinese passport holder loses or damages their passports whilst traveling, they are expected to make a declaration of additional loss or harm ; keep reading to find out more about this topic.
Chinese citizens living abroad who are applicants for passport renewal should fill in a passport form on the Online Appointment for Overseas Passport Application website (which could be called another way depending on the country who are living in), print it out and sign it by hand. Passport applicants might also have to sign by hand other forms depending on their age and condition, so please note that signatures will be scanned and developed on the new passport and will be compared with the signature of the applicant in the future when applying for international visas.
Please provide a photo to the completed application form and bring another one if needed. Please make sure the photo follows the requirements (48mm x 33mm, white background, dark clothing, face clearly visible, no hat, taken within the last 6 months) non-compliant photos will cause the rejection of your application and a new online appointment will be required. To make sure you won’t make any mistake, read our detailed photo requirements below.
Depending on the country you are living, some people might have to meet by video with the embassy for the renewal of their passport. In such cases, the embassy staff will contact the applicant by telephone to schedule the time and procedure for the interview.
The standard processing time is about 3 weeks for Chinese nationals living abroad. The time needed to replace lost or damaged documents may be longer. For Mainland China residents, the usual processing time is 10 business days, and 15 business days for Chinese diplomatic missions outside Mainland China (with Hong Kong and Macau). The fee for a Chinese passport varies but is around CNY 120.
For more information, go to the official internet page of the Chinese Embassy of the country you live in, or find information through the Chinese government’s official website.
Procedures for Lost or Stolen Chinese Passports
Any Chinese citizen living or travelling overseas who have lost/destroyed their passports or got their passport stolen are required to fill in a form online and attach a "Statement of Lost/Destroyed Passport/Travel Document" and sign it. In the past, Chinese nationals who lost or damaged their passport during a short stay abroad would have only been issued a travel permit to return. The new arrangement removes this restriction and gives embassies and consulates the chance to issue new passports on request.
Save time and money by preparing a professional Chinese passport photo online! Our passport photo editor will crop and edit the background automatically and verify if your passport picture meets all the official requirements (such as size) for a Chinese biometric photo (suitable for China passport application and renewal). This way, you can be sure your biometric photograph will be accepted by any China passport office.
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