China · passport
China passport photo, measured to the NIA standard
The Chinese passport photo follows the National Immigration Administration standard: a 3:4 digital photo between 354×472 and 480×640 pixels, with the file size between 20 and 80 KB (both bounds are enforced), head height 30–34 mm in print terms, hairline 1–3 mm below the frame top, on a white, light grey or pale blue background.
- Size
- 33×48 mm
- Digital file
- 480×640 px JPEG
- Background
- white
- Head height
- 62.5–70.8%
- Price
- €5.99 · once
Select country and document
Step 1/3
Popular: · ·
- Head size62.4% · 50–69%
- Eye line61.2% · 56–69%
- Backgroundwhite · σ 6
- Lightingeven
- Resolution1832px
MEETS SPEC · ESTIMATED
Checked against the official specification, with the source cited on every document.
Worth knowing: The China passport (NIA) and China visa (COVA) specs differ in file-size window, head bands and background rules. This page is the passport spec; the visa has its own page.
How our China Passport (NIA) photo tool works
Add a photo you already have and we measure it against the official China Passport (NIA) specification (33×48 mm, 480×640 px, white background), then produce the exact files you need. Checking is free; you pay €5.99 only if you want the files.
Add your photo
A selfie or any recent photo of yourself, straight from your phone.
See every measurement
Ten checks run against the official spec and show you the numbers.
Fix what's off
Drag to reposition and zoom to resize, or retake the photo if something can't be fixed.
Download your files
Exact digital file, print-ready sheet and compliance report.
What is a China Passport (NIA) photo?
A Chinese passport photo follows the National Immigration Administration standard: a 3:4 digital image between 354×472 and 480×640 pixels, file size 20–80 KB with both bounds enforced, on a white, light grey or pale blue background. In print terms: 33×48 mm with the head 30–34 mm high and the hairline 1–3 mm below the top of the printable area.
The NIA app supports fully-online renewal for eligible applicants, with automated face-geometry checks similar to the visa portal's. The passport spec differs from the China visa (COVA) spec in file-size window, head bands and permitted backgrounds. The two are not interchangeable.
The NIA app runs automated checks for fully-online renewals, measuring face geometry the way the visa portal does. This page performs the same measurements and outputs a file inside every band.
China Passport (NIA) photo requirements
| Size | 33×48 mm · 480×640 px @300 DPI |
|---|---|
| Digital file | 480×640px JPEG · max 80 KB |
| Background | white |
| Head height | 62.5–70.8% of frame height |
| Eye line | 50–70% from the bottom edge |
| Digital upload | accepted |
| Background editing | not permitted, so we leave yours as it is |
- Digital range 354–480 px wide × 472–640 px high, 3:4 locked; file must be 20–80 KB, and both bounds are enforced.
- Head 30–34 mm on the 48 mm print; white, light grey or pale blue background accepted.
- NIA app supports fully-online renewal with automated photo checks.
Source: official requirements · verified 2026-07
China Passport (NIA) photos that pass the checks
Thin frames, no glare, eyes fully visible 
Even light, plain background, neutral expression 
Infant alone in frame, eyes open, plain sheet 
Religious head covering with the full face visible 
Hair back, forehead and both ears clear
China Passport (NIA) photos that don't pass
Head tilted, hard shadow on the background 
Taken too far away, head too small in the frame 
Someone else's hand in the frame 
Patterned wall and furniture behind
Illustrative examples created for this guide. They are not customer photos, and not decisions by any authority.
What you get for €5.99
- High-resolution file in the exact spec (480×640px, under 80 KB)
- Printable compliance report with everything we measured
- Print-ready 10×15 cm sheet with 4 copies and cut lines
one-time payment, no subscription
Photos that pass
- Exact dimensions: 480×640px
- Plain white background, evenly lit
- Head filling 62.5–70.8% of the frame
- Taken in the last 6 months, neutral expression
Photos that get rejected
- Edited, filtered or AI-retouched photos
- Shadows on the face or background
- Busy walls, gradients or the wrong background colour
- Head too large, too small, or off-centre
- Glare on glasses or tinted lenses
- Old photos, or photos of printed photos
Why use PassportClerk for your China Passport (NIA) photo
- Convenience
- Make it at home from a photo you already have, without booking a studio or queueing for a booth. You get a file sized for the official upload and a print sheet for the times you need paper.
- Built from the official specification
- Every measurement on this page comes from the official China Passport (NIA) requirements, and the source is linked, dated and re-checked.
- Works from any phone
- Nothing to install. A recent phone camera and a plain wall are enough.
- You see the numbers
- Head height, eye line, background and resolution are all measured and shown to you before you pay.
- Private, then deleted
- We only receive your photo if you buy, and everything is deleted within 48 hours.
If the files we produce don't match the specification on this page, we'll fix them or refund you. The decision on any application always rests with the issuing authority.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Chinese passport photo requirements?
Digital: 3:4 ratio, 354–480 px wide by 472–640 px high, JPEG 24-bit colour, 20–80 KB. Print: 33×48 mm with head 30–34 mm high and face width 16–24 mm. Background: white, light grey or pale blue. Neutral expression, both ears visible where possible.
Why is there a minimum file size?
The 20 KB floor stops over-compressed images that fail biometric processing. Our renderer includes a minimum-size quality ladder for specs like this, so the delivered file lands inside 20–80 KB without visible artifacts.
Can I renew my Chinese passport entirely online?
Eligible renewals can be completed in the NIA app with an uploaded photo that passes its automated check. First-time applications and many categories still require an in-person appointment, with the same photo standard.
Are glasses allowed?
Untinted prescription glasses are tolerated only if frames don't cover the eyes and there is no glare; tinted lenses are not allowed. When in doubt, remove them. Glare is the most common automated-check failure.
How we handle compliance
- We check your photo against the official rules. We never retouch your face, and we only normalize the background where the destination country permits it.
- Every requirement is cited from official government sources, with the verification date shown on the page.
- What you get is a report of measurements, not a guarantee. Final acceptance always rests with the issuing authority.
official requirements · verified 2026-07