China Passport (applying abroad) Photo — at home in 60 seconds
PRC Passport / Travel Document applied abroad via the 'China Consular' (中国领事) app
Take it with your phone against a plain, light wall. We crop it to the exact size (33×48 mm) and check the head size, position and background against the published rules.
Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.
Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027
Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo. Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
Quick answer
A China Passport (applying abroad) Photo must be 33 × 48 mm (1.3 × 1.89 in), with the head 28–33 mm from chin to top of head, on a white background, taken within the last 6 months. A photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets these rules.
- Printed photo
- 33 × 48 mm (1.3 × 1.89 in)
Verified October 3, 2026 from Embassy of the PRC in the USA.
Photo requirements
Summarised from the official sources below.
- Printed photo
- 33 × 48 mm (1.3 × 1.89 in)
- Head size (chin to top of head)
- 28–33 mm (58–69 % of the photo height)
- Space above the head
- 3–5 mm
- Background
- White. White background, colour photo, no shadows on face or background.
- Expression
- Natural, both eyes open, all facial features clearly visible.
- Glasses
- Allowed, but lenses must not be tinted, and the eye outline must not be blurred by flash, shadow or frame.
- Head covering
- No hats or headscarves; if worn for religious reasons, must not cover the whole face.
- Babies and children
- Applicants under 10 do not sign; no specific photo relaxations found.
- Photo age
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Online application
- 'China Consular' (中国领事) mobile app - choose an existing ID photo from the album or shoot in-app; fingerprints collected at the mission.
More rules (4)
- Head width 15-22 mm; head height (chin to crown) 28-33 mm; crown to top edge 3-5 mm; chin to bottom edge >= 7 mm.
- Paper photos must be printed by a photo studio or on professional photo paper; no edited or composite photos.
- Via the app the uploaded photo is printed directly in the new passport - no paper photo needs to be mailed; the app can also capture the photo and auto-process the background.
- Rejected if hair covers eyebrows/eyes/ears, frames cover eyes, head tilted, red-eye, too dark, blurred, cluttered background.
Print at home or at a kiosk
Print the sheet at 100% (Actual size), never “Fit to page”, on photo paper. Each sheet has a 50 mm ruler so you can check the size.
How to take it at home
- Stand about half a metre in front of a plain, light wall, facing a window.
- Hold the phone at arm’s length or ask someone to help. The live guide checks distance, light and head position.
- Get your digital file and print sheet. Print at 100% or upload the file.
Price
Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.
Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027
Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo.
Photo Acceptance Guarantee — rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
Why people choose Ovalight
Made for the moment you need a photo that just works.
- Money back if it’s rejected Rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
- Free to try Take and check your photo for free. You pay once, only when you like the result.
- Your photo stays on your phone Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
- Checked against the official rules Every rule comes from the issuing authority’s own website, last verified on October 3, 2026.
- Free retakes for 24 hours Not happy with it? Retake the same document up to 3 times within 24 hours.
- Secure payment, no subscription Pay once through Stripe. We never see your card details.
Official sources
Verified on October 3, 2026
- 关于护照人像照片规格要求 (Passport portrait photo specifications) — Embassy of the PRC in the USA
- “中国领事”APP护照旅行证业务常见问题与解答 (Q20 photo upload) — Embassy of the PRC in the USA
Questions
What size is a China Passport (applying abroad) Photo?
Printed: 33 × 48 mm (1.3 × 1.89 in).
Can I take my China Passport (applying abroad) Photo at home?
Yes. The photo is not taken at the office and no registered photographer is required, so a photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets the rules on this page.
What background is required?
White. White background, colour photo, no shadows on face or background.
Can I smile?
Natural, both eyes open, all facial features clearly visible.
Can I wear glasses?
Allowed, but lenses must not be tinted, and the eye outline must not be blurred by flash, shadow or frame.
Can I wear a head covering?
No hats or headscarves; if worn for religious reasons, must not cover the whole face.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months.
What about babies and children?
Applicants under 10 do not sign; no specific photo relaxations found.
Can I print the photo at home?
Yes. Print the sheet at 100% (Actual size) on photo paper, at home or at a pharmacy or kiosk, and check the size with the 50 mm ruler.
More China documents
Ovalight is an independent service. Only the authority that issues your document decides whether to accept a photo.