China Visa Photo: check yours against the official spec

A China visa photo is 33 mm wide by 48 mm high, with the head 28 to 33 mm tall and 15 to 22 mm wide, against a white or close-to-white background. Both ears must be visible, eyes open, lips closed, with a neutral expression. The digital upload for the COVA online form is 354 x 472 pixels, JPEG, between 40 KB and 120 KB. A US-style square 2 x 2 photo will be rejected: China uses its own 33 x 48 mm format.

Upload a photo

Click anywhere here, or drag and drop your photo. Use a clear, front-facing photo against a plain white wall in even light. We measure and crop it. We never edit the pixels you submit.

🛡️ Accepted or your money back🔒 Your photo is deleted within 24 hours✓ We never edit your photo

21 documents checked against official specifications

China visa photo requirements

Photo size	1 1/4 × 1 7/8 inches (33 × 48 mm)
Head height (chin to top of hair)	1 1/8 to 1 1/4 in (28 to 33 mm)
Eye height from bottom	3/4 to 1 1/4 in (20 to 32 mm)
Background	white or close to white
Digital file	JPEG, at least 354 × 354 px

Common reasons a China visa photo is rejected

The photo is the wrong shape. A square US-style 2 x 2 photo is rejected; China requires its own 33 x 48 mm format with the head 28 to 33 mm tall and 15 to 22 mm wide.
Ears are not visible, eyes are closed, lips are open, or the head is tilted more than 20 degrees left/right or 25 degrees up/down.
Thick-rimmed or tinted glasses, or glare on the lenses. Ordinary glasses are otherwise allowed.
The digital file is outside the 40 KB to 120 KB JPEG range. The 40 KB minimum is unusual: over-compressed files fail the upload check.

“Photos must not be changed using computer software, phone apps or filters, or artificial intelligence.”
U.S. Department of State, passport photo requirements

Photo rejections are common, and you pay twice

A rejected photo means a delayed application and paying again for a retake. It's one of the most common problems people hit when applying, and it's exactly what this tool is built to catch before you submit:

We measure your photo against the official spec, never AI-edit it (itself a rejection reason as of 2026), and back it accepted-or-your-money-back.

What your result screen shows

Every photo is measured against these checks, the same list you see after uploading:

Head size
Eye position
Framing room
Resolution
Background colour
Plain background
Even lighting
Pose & expression

When every required check passes, the verdict reads “Passed” and you can download the exact photo you uploaded, cropped to spec, never edited. If a check fails, you get the reason and how to retake, and you pay nothing.

What real users said

“Photo accepted at the post office on the first try, which honestly surprised me. The instant spec check feels like it should be the default everywhere.”
Derya
“The webcam check instantly flagged my background was too cluttered even though I thought it looked fine, which was a nice surprise. Glad I didn't waste money printing a bad photo.”
Irmak
“Took a quick selfie with my webcam and it actually flagged the right issues with my framing. Kind of cool that they don't just slap a filter on it.”
Zafer
“love the pay-only-if-it-passes model, such a smart way to build trust before asking anyone to hand over money. the no AI editing promise is a really thoughtful touch too.”
Azra

From our Product Hunt launch, quoted verbatim. We never invent testimonials.

What a passport photo really costs

The photo is the cheap part. The expensive part is a rejection: redo fees, another queue, and a delayed application or trip. Here is the honest comparison:

Pharmacy or retail (CVS, Walgreens)$16 to $17 per attempt	No compliance guarantee. A rejection means paying and queueing again.
USPS photo serviceabout $15	Same deal: rejected means a second visit and a second fee.
Cheap online photo editors$1 to $3	Most replace your background with software. Edited photos are a documented rejection reason for the US, UK and Canada since 2026, and refunds usually cover technical failures only.
Compliant Passport PhotoFree check. $9 only if it passes	We measure and crop your original, never edit it. Accepted or your money back.

Retail prices are typical 2026 US prices and vary by location. Our guarantee: accepted or your money back.

Built by a real person

Nic built this after his own passport photo was rejected over a sizing issue he could not even see. The tool measures your photo against the official spec and never edits it, because since 2026 the US, UK and Canada reject AI-altered photos.

Read the launch story

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a US passport photo for a China visa?

No. A square 2 x 2 inch photo will be rejected. China uses its own 33 mm x 48 mm format with specific head height (28 to 33 mm) and head width (15 to 22 mm) requirements.

What are the digital photo requirements for a China visa (COVA)?

The COVA online application specifies 354 x 472 pixels, JPEG format, between 40 KB and 120 KB. Some visa centre notices allow up to 420 x 560 pixels, but 354 x 472 is the safest target. Note the unusual 40 KB minimum: a file compressed too small will fail.

Do my ears need to be visible in a China visa photo?

Yes. Both ears must be visible, with eyes open, lips closed, and a neutral expression. Head tilt is limited to 20 degrees left or right and 25 degrees up or down.

Can I wear glasses in a China visa photo?

Ordinary glasses are allowed, but thick-rimmed frames, tinted lenses, and any glare on the lenses are not.

What kind of paper do printed China visa photos need?

Glossy photo paper. Matte prints are not accepted, and the photo must have been taken within the last 6 months.

Common problems with this photo

China visa COVA: 'The photo check failed' error explained →

Common questions & guides

China visa COVA: 'The photo check failed' error explained