Chinese Visa Photo
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Chinese Visa Photo - Size & Requirements
Height: 48 mm
- Head height: 31.5 mm
- Top of the Photo to Top of the Hair: 5 mm
How to make a photo?
China is a huge country - just behind Russia, Canada and the United States - with many diverse cultures and landscapes! If you want to go to Shanghai or Pekin or discover more cities with an interesting history, you might need a visa!
If you want to apply for the Chinese visa, you need to provide two identical color photos taken within 6 last months and a completed application form. The China visa application photo must satisfy certain requirements so read this guide to find out what you need to know.
Chinese visa photo guide
Chinese visa is a document allowing you to enter and depart the Chinese border - air, sea or land one. This permission is issued by visa authorities of the People’s Republic of China to foreign citizens. Bear in mind that you must have a valid visa to exit China and you must leave this country before the expiration of the indicated period of stay.
One of the most important documents to apply for a Chinese visa is valid for at least 6 months passport and obviously a photograph. Any ID document requires a photo so read on to find out what are the specifications regarding the picture to a visa to China!
Chinese visa photo size
Required Chinese visa photo dimensions are 33mm in width and 48 mm in height (about 1.3 x 1.9 inches) for printed on paper pictures. The head of the applicant in the picture should be
15 - 22 mm in width and height 28 - 33 mm from chin to top of the head where the distance between the head and the upper edge is between 3 - 5 mm. The electronic photo requirements of horizontal pixels are 354 - 420 pixels and vertical pixels: 472 - 560 pixels.
If the head is too big, too small or incorrectly placed, for instance, the top of the head touches the upper edge, to avoid rejection, consider using our photo resizer which measures the picture correctly for your Chinese visa so that you don’t have to worry because it gives you 100% guarantee of acceptance!
Background
The background on the Chinese visa photo must be white, free of patterns, shadows and any other objects. If you find it difficult to get, use our photo background remover which removes an incorrect background and changes it into required white. You can find the photo generator on the PhotoAiD site or get the app (described below in the Chinese Visa Photo Mobile App chapter).
Quality & Light
It is recommended to not use a flash and take photos in the daylight because it helps to avoid skin reflections and red-eye effects. Make sure that your face is lit evenly on both sides. Any shadows on the face or background are not allowed as well as frames and special corners. There should be no damages or impurities on the photo, no permeation or shadow over the face and taken in a natural tone, but not over or underexposed or distorted.
Head position
The head position has to be centred, with eyes clearly open and turned directly towards the camera. The full face, neck and upper part of shoulders must be visible. A frontal view is required. Not facing camera pictures, photos with the head tilted and closed eyes will cause refusal.
Facial expression
In the photo of the Chinese visa, the mouth should be closed, without showing teeth and smiling. A neutral facial expression is required, exaggerated facial expressions will be rejected. We recommend a natural and neutral facial expression, try not to frown, grimaces or smile.
Accessories
Accessories such as jewellery, piercing or headphones are forbidden to wear on Chinese visa photos. Also, free-hand devices, sunglasses, and big hair accessories are not allowed.
You can wear only a hearing aid device if you wear it every day.
Glasses
If you wear glasses daily, you are allowed to wear them on your Chinese visa photo as long as the lenses are not tinted and they don’t obscure your face or have a glare on their surface. If the glasses framed are thick or cover your eyes, you risk a rejection of your photo. If you do not need eyeglasses for medical reasons, it would be better if you took them off.
Hair & head coverings
Hair coverings are not allowed. That means, your hair must not cover your face, eyes, eyebrows and ears. However, if you need headwear for medical or religious reasons, remember that it must not obscure or cover your face. Your facial features must be clearly visible.
Clothing
While taking a photo for a Chinese visa you can wear your everyday look outfit. However, we advise you to wear clothes in dark colors because white is a forbidden color and close to white as they can blend with the background.
Chinese Visa Photo Mobile App
The good idea is to try taking photos to document by yourself! Especially because the Chinese Embassy and Consulates offices don’t provide photo service. However, you have to meet the official Chinese requirements to know what background colour should be, what is the size of the photograph, how to take a photo on its own and finally how to print it! Sounds like a lot? Use our online photo editor which is available on the website and on the AppStore or GooglePlay store too! So it doesn't matter if you use an iPhone or a phone with Android, you can take your perfect Chinese visa photograph.
The first step depends on you! Prepare the background, wear decent clothes and ask a friend to take a picture of you when you are ready or put a tripod approximately 3 metres from you and set it up for a self-timer.
While you took the right photo, it is time for simple editing. Upload the picture to our photo tool and it will resize it, edit and verify! Everything under the Chinese official requirements so you do not have to worry that it will be rejected because we guarantee that the picture you prepare with our photo mobile app will be accepted by any People's Republic of China institutions.
The last step is to order a picture in a digital version of your email address or we can print it for you and deliver it to your physical address. You can also order a file with a digital version of the photo and print it in a photo store in your neighbourhood. You choose what suits you better!
The whole process takes less than a minute and you can be proud of your ready Chinese visa photo!
The most common mistakes on Chinese visa photo
If you don’t want your Chinese visa rejected, you should read the most common mistakes while taking visa photos to avoid any failure. Make sure that you are filling the application correctly and attaching the correct China visa photos regarding the dimensions and specifications. Read now, what you should not do to have your visa application fully accepted.
To avoid disqualification, have a look at the most commonly made mistakes on the visa photos to China list:
- Profile view - remember that your head has to be straight, not titled or non-en-face view.
- Shadows in the background - any patterns, other objects or shadows cannot appear in the background, use our photo background remover instead which perfectly unity your scene.
- Smiling - keep a neutral facial expression, do not show your teeth or smile.
- Looking sideways - eyes have to be visible and look directly at the camera, so if you look on the sides, the photo will be rejected.
- Covered eyes - neither hairs, glasses, headgear or any items cannot cover the eyes and the whole face so make sure your facial features are clearly visible.
- Poor quality - damaged or creased photos, as well as those printed on poor-quality paper, will be not accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How long can I stay in China on a tursit visa?
As long as you apply and get the visa, normally the duration of stay as a tourist last 30 days, which means the holder of the visa may stay in China for up to 30 days from the date of entry.
❓ What is the size of the Chinese visa photo?
Required Chinese visa photo dimensions are 33 mm in width and 48 mm in height (about 1.3 x 1.9 inches) for printed on paper pictures.The electronic photo requirements of horizontal pixels are 354 - 420 pixels and vertical pixels: 472 - 560 pixels.
❓ Why would a Chinese visa be rejected?
Invalid documents or data can cause a refusal as well as incorrect photograph so make sure you met all the requirements regarding Chinese visa application and Chinese visa photo or use our photo tool which edits, resizes and verifies your photograph under the Chinese official specifications.
❓ What is the background color on the photo to Chinese visa?
The background on the Chinese visa photo must be white, free of patterns, shadows and any other objects. If you find it difficult to get, use our photo background remover which removes an incorrect background and changes it into required white.
❓ Can I smile in the picture to Chinese visa?
Smiling as well as frowning, grimacing is not appropriate and will cause the photo refusal. Make sure your facial expression is neutral.
❓ In what color I should wear clothes on the Chinese photo?
We recommend to wear dark clothes because white or light-colored can blend with the white background so make sure your outfit is not white.
❓ Can I wear a headwear on a Chinese visa photo?
Head coverings as well as hairs cannot obscure the applicant's face. Only for medical or religious reasons you can keep a deadwear but make sure it doesn't cover any of your facial features like eyes, eyebrows or the whole face.
❓ Who have to apply for a Chinese visa?
All foreign citizens must obtain a Chinese visa before entry into China, except for visa-free entry based on relevant agreements or regulations. Please check if you come from one of the visa-exempt countries.
❓ How much is a standard visa to China?
The standard fee including service free for the Chinese visa is USD 140.00. The costs varies depending on the processing time selected. For standard you have to pay an extra USD 25 and to receive it within 4 days.
About the document
Chinese visa
The Chinese visa is a travel document issued by authorized government agencies to foreign citizens applying to enter, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory based on the host country's laws and regulations. Chinese consular officials are entitled to decide on the type, the number of entries, validity and duration of each stay of a visa to be issued based on Chinese laws and regulations. Consular officials reserve the right to decline a visa application or revoke an issued visa.
Am I eligible for a Chinese visa?
Foreign citizens must obtain a Chinese visa before entry into China, except for visa-free entry based on relevant agreements or regulations. Please check if you come from one of the visa-exempt countries as well as the validity of your visa before travelling to China. If the visa has expired or the number of entries is not enough, you must apply for a new one.
How to apply for a Chinese visa?
Required documents while applying for a Chinese visa:
- Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages
- A photocopy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate.
- The Visa Application Form (printed and signed)
- A recently-taken photograph in the size of 33x48mm and in color
- Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)
- If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid certificates or visa of stay, residence, employment or student status, or other valid certificates of legal staying provided by the relevant authorities of the country where you are currently staying.
- Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to foreign citizens those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship)
- If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide your previous Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its data page.
- If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of the name change.
For applicants under 18 years old with one or both parents being or having previously been Chinese citizens, when applying for a Chinese visa the first time need to provide:
- passport copy of both parents
- stamped and signed Certificate of Kinship
- a photocopy of the permanent residence permit of the parent
- being or having previously been a Chinese citizen.
You might be asked to submit some supporting documents like a letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China or information on the inviting entity or individual and more so be sure to check exactly what you need to submit for the visa you choose and depending on the purpose of your journey.
Chinese visa fees
The standard fee including service free for the Chinese visa is USD 140.00. A service fee may be charged for the Chinese 10-year Tourist Visa application, with costs that vary according to the processing time selected:
- Standard processing costs an extra USD 25 and you get it within 4 days.
- Rush processing costs USD 45 and your application is processed in 2 days.
- Super rush processing costs USD 80 and you can get your visa processed within 6 hours.
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