Photographs taken with a digital camera must be high quality, color, and printed on photo-quality paper.Resampling of the original image or alteration of the image's size before printing is not permitted. The image must be clear, sharp, and in focus. The photographs must be at high resolution and printed on plain, high quality photographic paper.The lighting must be uniform with no shadows or reflections on the face or in the background. The photographs must have a plain white background.An applicant with microtia is allowed to conceal the ears with hair, but both edges of the face must be clearly visible. Ears, moles, birthmarks, and/or scars must not be covered or edited out. The photographs must not show the applicant looking over the shoulder (portrait style) or with head tilted to one side or backwards or forwards. Both edges of the face must be clearly visible. There must be no hair covering the eyes.

The photographs must have appropriate brightness and contrast. A neutral expression (mouth closed) and natural skin tone are required. The applicant must face forward and look directly at the camera, with eyes open and clearly visible.

The head or any part of hair must not touch the frame of the photographs (exceptions may be made for applicants with long hair). The chin to crown (crown would be the top of the head if there were no hair) must be between 32 mm and 36 mm (1.26 inches and 1.42 inches, thus, 70 to 80 percent of the vertical height of the photograph).

The size of the photographs must be 45 mm by 35 mm (1.77 inches long by 1.38 inches wide) and show a close-up of the head and top of the shoulders.

The photographs must be taken within the last six months and contain no ink marks, creases, etc.

When applying for an e-passport, applicants should submit two identical color photographs taken within the last six months, as stipulated by International Civil Aviation Organization regulations.

China visa photo tool